Alongside global health leaders, renowned physicians and scientists as well continue to voice their views on Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s candidacy for WHO Director-General.
Dr. Robert Peter Gale, Co-Founder of the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry, expressed his support for the nomination.
“I write to support the nomination of Gevorg Tamamyan for Director-General of the WHO. Dr Tamamyan is an extraordinarily accomplished physician from Armenia who has been able to effect a global cancer information network. Because of aging populations cancer will be one of the greatest challenges to global health in the next decades. Dr. Tamamyan is the man for the job!”
About Dr Robert Peter Gale
Dr. Robert Peter Gale is a distinguished American hematologist, oncologist, and radiation medicine expert. He co-founded the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry and collaborated with scientist Eli Canaani to molecularly clone the gene associated with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). He has authored more than 1,300 scientific publications and served as Editor-in-Chief of Leukemia.
Dr. Gale served on the faculty of the UCLA School of Medicine, where he developed an NIH-supported bone marrow transplantation program. In biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, he co-founded ZIOPHARM Oncology and served as its Senior Vice President of Research.
He coordinated medical relief efforts following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and contributed to responses to the Goiânia accident, the 1988 Armenian earthquake, the Tokaimura accident, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the Presidential Award from the New York Academy of Sciences, the Scientist of Distinction Award from the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Olender Peace Prize, and the City of Los Angeles Humanitarian Award.
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 31, 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