Dr. Sanja Dacic Awarded the 2025 Mary J. Matthews Pathology/Translational Research Award

At the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer, Dr. Sanja Dacic was honored with the Mary J. Matthews Pathology/Translational Research Award, recognizing her lifetime achievements in the pathology and translational research of thoracic malignancies. This prestigious award, named after Dr. Matthews, a pioneer in the histologic subtypes of lung cancer, celebrates Dr. Dacic’s enduring contributions to the field.

About the Mary J. Matthews Pathology/Translational Research Award

The Mary J. Matthews Pathology/Translational Research Award recognizes an IASLC scientist for a lifetime of achievement in the pathology and translational research of thoracic malignancies. Named after Dr. Mary J. Matthews, a senior investigator and pathologist at the National Cancer Institute’s Medical Oncology Branch, the award honors her pioneering work in defining the histologic subtypes of lung cancer and establishing their relationship to the clinical course of the disease. The first recipient, Dr. Geno Saccomanno, was recognized in 1994 for his groundbreaking contributions to early detection techniques in lung cancer.

Dr. Geno Saccamanno, the first recipient of the Mary J. Matthews Pathology/Translational Research Award, with his wife Virginia Saccamanno

Sanja Dacic’s Life and Career

Dr. Sanja Dacic, MD, PhD, MSc, is an internationally acclaimed leader in anatomic pathology with a remarkable career dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of thoracic malignancies. She earned her medical degree and Doctor of Philosophy at the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, in Zagreb, Croatia, where she laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to pathology and cancer research. Following her graduation, Dr. Dacic completed her residency training at the University of Pittsburgh, joining the faculty immediately after her fellowship in surgical pathology.

Over the years, she has held numerous leadership positions in prestigious institutions, including Professor of Pathology and Director of Anatomic Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian Hospital, Director of the Thoracic Pathology Center of Excellence, and Director of the Molecular Anatomic Pathology Laboratory at UPMC.

In May 2022, she assumed her current role as Vice Chair and Director of Anatomic Pathology in the Department of Pathology at Yale School of Medicine, while also serving as Professor of Pathology and Medical Director of the Tumor Profiling Laboratory (TPL). Throughout her career, Dr. Dacic has been instrumental in advancing both diagnostic pulmonary and molecular pathology, contributing to hundreds of high-impact research publications, book chapters, and practice guidelines.

Her work has profoundly influenced the development of prognostic biomarkers, molecular testing standards, and translational research initiatives that have shaped modern thoracic pathology and improved patient care worldwide.

Leadership and Editorial Contributions

Dr. Dacic has served in various leadership roles within professional organizations. She was President of the Pulmonary Pathology Society from 2019 to 2022 and is currently serving as the Chair of the IASLC Pathology Committee from 2023 to 2025.

Her editorial contributions include serving as a deputy editor-in-chief of Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and being a member of the editorial boards of several high-impact journals.

A Commitment to Advancing Thoracic Pathology

Dr. Dacic’s work has significantly influenced the field of thoracic pathology. Her involvement in the development of the College of American Pathologists/IASLC/Association for Molecular Pathology guidelines for molecular testing in lung cancer has been pivotal. Additionally, she was a member of the Editorial Board for the 5th WHO Classification of Thoracic Tumors.

Through her extensive research, leadership, and dedication to advancing the understanding of thoracic malignancies, Dr. Dacic continues to inspire and shape the future of pathology and translational research.

Written by Sergey Badalyan, MD