In 2025, the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) honoured Dr. Shushan Hovsepyan with its prestigious Young SIOP “Rising Star” Award — a recognition bestowed annually to an early-career professional who has already made substantial contributions to the field of pediatric oncology. This award marks a milestone in Dr Hovsepyan’s rapidly rising career in childhood cancer research, innovation and global health leadership.
A remarkable journey
Originally from Armenia, Dr Hovsepyan’s path in paediatric oncology is both personal and pioneering. She trained in Yerevan and completed a clinical fellowship in Milan, Italy; she also served at the St Anna Children’s Research Hospital in Vienna.
Her special interests in soft-tissue sarcomas, rare tumours and the complex needs of adolescents & young adults with cancer have positioned her at the cutting edge of the field
As Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily Medical Journal, Co-Chair of SIOP’s Global Health Network (GHN) Research & Innovation Working Group and a key figure in the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Group (EpSSG) Rhabdoid Tumour Working Group, Dr Hovsepyan straddles clinical care, research and editorial leadership.
Andrea Ferrari, who led the “Thinking Outside the Box in NRST” session during the 5-Min Sarcoma Talk #5, is also a mentor to Shushan Hovsepyan.
“He is my mentor who taught me everything about sarcomas, from A to Z, and truly sparked my interest in the field”.
Rising Star of Paediatric Oncology: Why the award matters
The Young SIOP “Rising Star” Award recognises individuals who, early in their career, show exceptional promise, leadership and impact in paediatric oncology. By selecting Dr Hovsepyan, SIOP highlights the global dimension of childhood-cancer care: her work links resource-limited contexts with leading European centres, bridging research, innovation and practical implementation.
In her own words, reflecting on the moment:
“Just a few hours earlier I was on a plane from ESMO2025 Berlin and now I am standing on the SIOP stage … It was a great honour … I come from a small city, Gyumri, Armenia. We may be small, but we have produced world champions.”
This sentiment reminds us that great impact in paediatric oncology often emerges from determination, vision and the willingness to seize global collaborations.
Top 5 Publications by Dr. Shushan Hovsepyan
Dr. Shushan Hovsepyan has authored and co-authored several impactful publications in the field of pediatric and adolescent oncology, with a strong focus on rare tumors, global health, and the development of cancer care in resource-limited settings.
“Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor: From State of the Art to Future Clinical Prospects”
Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy, 2023
— A comprehensive review on desmoplastic small round cell tumor, covering current knowledge and emerging clinical directions.
“The Unique Challenges of AYA Cancer Care in Resource-Limited Settings”
Frontiers in Adolescent Medicine, 2023
— Explores barriers and opportunities in caring for adolescents and young adults with cancer in low- and middle-income countries.
“Epidemiology, Treatment and Outcomes of Children and Young Adults with CNS Tumors in Armenia”
Neuro-Oncology, 2022
— Presents national data and clinical insights into pediatric central nervous system tumors in Armenia.
“The Science of Getting Published: Key Factors Influencing Publication in Pediatric Oncology”
ASCO Annual Meeting 2024
— A poster presentation focused on improving publication strategies and research visibility in pediatric oncology.
“Novel Therapies in Pediatric Cancer Care: A Retrospective Study from Armenia”
OncoDaily Medical Journal, 2025
— A retrospective analysis highlighting advances in immunotherapy and targeted treatment approaches for pediatric cancer patients in Armenia.
The road ahead
Winning the Young SIOP Rising Star Award is not only a recognition of past achievements, it is a signal of future promise. For Dr Hovsepyan, the next years hold opportunities to expand global collaborations in childhood cancer care, especially in under-resourced settings, drive editorial leadership and innovation via OncoDaily and associated platforms, translate research in rare paediatric tumors into clinical impact and policy change, mentor the next generation of early-career paediatric oncologists, particularly those from regions such as Armenia and neighbouring countries, as she highlighted,
“being on that SIOP stage was never just for her own story — it was a representation for all who have supported her and all who fight childhood cancer around the world”.
What this means for OncoDaily and the broader community
For OncoDaily, having our Editor-in-Chief receive this a ward underscores our mission: driving timely, global, high-impact discourse in oncology. It reinforces that voices from diverse geographies, including Armenia are integral to shaping the future of paediatric oncology.