The pediatric oncology community continues its dedicated support for Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily. This time, Dr. Leo Mascarenhas, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, expressed his warm words about the recent announcement of Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for WHO Director-General.
“There is no better person for this incredibly important position than my colleague and dear friend Professor Gevorg Tamamyan who is a candidate for Director-General of World Health Organization! He is a servant leader with the unique gift of being able to bring people together, irrespective of their background and country of origin, with quiet determination and a sense of common purpose while celebrating their diversity and valuing their individual strengths and contributions! We need a leader like him with global perspective, enthusiasm and positive energy in this role! Our world will be so fortunate to have him at the helm of the World Health Organization! Congratulations on your nomination Gevorg and best wishes my friend!”
About Leo Mascarenhas
Dr. Leo Mascarenhas is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and an internationally recognized leader in the treatment and clinical research of pediatric sarcomas, solid tumors, and rare childhood cancers. He serves as the Director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Director of the Adult and Pediatric Sarcoma Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Over his career, including extensive prior leadership at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Mascarenhas has made major contributions to developmental therapeutics, liquid biopsy diagnostics, and targeted gene therapies-most notably played a key role in the development of TRK inhibitor treatments such as larotrectinib for pediatric cancers. He is also actively involved in global oncology clinical trial design and serves as Chair of the Voting Body for the Children’s Oncology Group.
About Dr Gevorg Tamamyan
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan, MD, MSc, PhD, DSc, FASCO, is a prospective candidate for the post of Director-General of the World Health Organization, nominated by the Republic of Botswana. He is a global leader in oncology, health systems strengthening, and international health cooperation, recognized for building bridges between countries and advancing equitable cancer care in resource-limited settings.
Dr. Tamamyan is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University and CEO of the Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC).
He is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, one of the world’s largest oncology media platforms, created to democratize access to reliable, independent, and evidence-based cancer information globally.
Dr. Tamamyan was elected and currently serves as President of two major international pediatric oncology organizations: the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Asia Continental Branch, representing pediatric oncology professionals across Asia, and the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group, uniting 28 countries and 110 cancer centers. He also serves as Co-Chair of the St. Jude EURO Regional Advisory Committee, encompassing 13 European countries.
At the age of 32, Dr. Tamamyan was appointed Head of the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, where he led the consolidation of previously fragmented pediatric oncology and hematology services into a single national center. Under his leadership, the Center evolved into a regional reference point, with survival rates reaching up to 80%.
He also co-founded City of Smile, a national pediatric cancer charity that helps ensure universal coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of every child and young adult with cancer in Armenia.
Dr. Tamamyan is Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Cancer and Crisis and an adviser to the Rector of Yerevan State Medical University. He previously served as President of the Harvard Club of Armenia.
Educated and trained across seven countries in Europe, North America, and Asia, his professional journey spans frontline clinical practice, research, academic leadership, national cancer center management, global health diplomacy, and institution building.
He is the recipient of numerous international awards and distinctions, including Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO); ASCO LIFe and IDEA Awards; UICC and IARC Young Leader Awards; the 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award; the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM) Award for Global Oncology Leadership; and the Global Health Catalyst Distinguished Leader Award.
He is married and has two daughters, Charlize and Letizia.
Read more about Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s WHO candidacy:
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan is Nominated as a Candidate for WHO Director-General Position
Watch HRH Princess Dina Mired’s interview with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan: The Man Who Challenged Cancer Hierarchies