Dr. Dario Trapani – Global Oncology: Yvonne Awards 2025

The Yvonne Awards 2025, presented by OncoDaily during the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, have become a much-awaited tradition in global oncology, honoring excellence, leadership, and advocacy. This inspiring event, known for its unique blend of celebration and purpose, took place once again on the Friday night of ASCO 2025 in Chicago, alongside the OncoDaily Party, forming what has now become a hallmark of the oncology calendar.

With the Chicago Riverwalk as its scenic backdrop, the 2025 ceremony brought together oncologists, researchers, advocates, and leaders worldwide. The Yvonne Awards – named in tribute to a legacy of courage and mentorship have, over the years, established a meaningful platform to spotlight individuals who drive change and elevate the cancer care community. Building on the tradition, this year’s event continued to highlight voices that challenge the status quo, mentor across generations, and push the boundaries of science and humanity in oncology.

About Dr. Dario Trapani

Dr. Dario Trapani is an Italian-born medical oncologist, global cancer policy expert, and academic. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Oncology at the University of Milan and as an Attending Physician in the Division of New Drug Development for Innovative Therapies at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, Italy. A dual-licensed physician in both Europe and the United States, Dr. Trapani’s unique career spans clinical oncology, cancer policy, academic publishing, and public health leadership.

Fluent in both Italian and English, Dr. Trapani is a graduate of the University of Salerno and completed his oncology residency at the University of Milan, training under Professor Giuseppe Curigliano at IEO.

A Global Voice in Cancer Policy

Dr. Dario Trapani’s professional journey reflects a profound commitment to reshaping cancer care at a systems level. From 2021 to 2023, he served as a Consultant in Cancer Management at the World Health Organization (WHO), where he contributed to international policy frameworks and capacity-building efforts for oncology systems, particularly in underserved regions.

He has also played a key role in defining sustainable oncology practices helping to address disparities in access, quality, and value of cancer care on a global scale. His academic and policy work sits at the intersection of cancer equity, health system transformation, and evidence-based policymaking.

Clinical Excellence in Breast Cancer and Drug Development

Dr. Dario Trapani has received advanced clinical training in breast oncology, including a prestigious Advanced Clinical-Research Fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Harvard Medical School) in Boston, Massachusetts, from 2019 to 2021. His research there focused on precision medicine, translational oncology, and clinical trial methodology in breast cancer.

At IEO, Dr. Dario Trapani now works within the Division of Innovative Drug Development, contributing to early-phase clinical trials, biomarker discovery, and the development of targeted therapies.

Academic and Editorial Leadership

Dr. Trapani is a leading academic voice and highly engaged member of the global oncology publishing ecosystem. He currently serves in multiple editorial and reviewer roles, including:

• Section Editor, ESMO Open (Global Oncology & Cancer Policy)
• Section Editor, Journal of Cancer Policy
• Editorial Board Member, Cancer Treatment Reviews (CTR)
• Columnist, ESMO Perspectives on cancer care sustainability
• Editorial Contributor, Scientific Reports (Springer Nature)

In addition to these formal roles, he regularly peer-reviews for more than 30 oncology and health policy journals, including The Lancet Oncology, Nature Medicine, JAMA Psychiatry, BMJ Global Health, The Oncologist, and Journal of Clinical Oncology. His work reflects an extraordinary commitment to advancing the quality and equity of cancer research globally.

Education and Professional Credentials

• MD, University of Salerno, School of Medicine
• Medical Oncology Residency, University of Milan
• Advanced Fellowship in Breast Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• ECFMG-Certified, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE, Steps 1–3)
• Licensed in Italy (SA-10435) and Massachusetts, USA

Dr. Dario Trapani is also OET-certified in English for healthcare professionals and continues to advocate for international collaboration in oncology education and service delivery.

Honors and Recognition

Dr. Trapani’s contributions have been acknowledged through numerous awards and fellowships:

• Fondazione IEO-CCM Grant for Young Investigators (2021)
• Dana-Farber Advanced Breast Oncology Fellowship (2020)
• European Institute of Oncology Merit Award (2018)
• Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium Grant, Chicago Sister Cities Medical Initiative (2017)
• Student Merit Award, ADISU, Salerno (2013)

Each of these recognitions reflects a career marked by excellence, promise, and dedication to cancer care equity on a global scale.

Looking Ahead

As cancer care systems c ontinue to evolve under the pressure of cost, access, and complexity, Dr. Dario Trapani remains a key voice in international cancer policy and innovation. He is actively engaged in reimagining the future of cancer services—from early detection and precision medicine to sustainable system design and global health capacity-building.

His vision, scholarship, and cross-sector collaborations exemplify the goals of the Yvonne Awards, making him a fitting recipient of the 2025 Global Oncology and Policy Impact Award.

Institutional Affiliations and Contact

• Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University of Milan
• Attending Physician, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Division of Innovative Therapies
• European Institute of Oncology
• University of Milan
• LinkedIn (if applicable optional to include)

Yvonne Awards 2025: Honoring Global Oncology Leaders at ASCO’s Most Inspiring Night

Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD