Wallace H. Coulter was a prolific inventor, innovator, and entrepreneur. His Coulter Principle pioneered the development of flow cytometry, defined particle characterization, and made possible automated hematology, thus revolutionizing laboratory medicine. The Coulter Counter led to major breakthroughs in science, medicine, and industry. This award, in his name, recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a lasting commitment to the field of hematology through outstanding contributions to education, research, and practice.

ASH will recognize Mohandas Narla, DSc, of the New York Blood Center with the 2020 Wallace H. Coulter Award for Lifetime Achievement in Hematology. Dr. Narla is being recognized for his significant contributions to hematology through his ground-breaking research, his inspirational mentoring style, and his invaluable service to ASH and to the advancement of the field at large during his career.

Dr. Narla has had a distinguished research career focused on the pathophysiology of inherited and acquired red blood cell disorders. He is known for his invention of the ektacytometer, a tool used today in clinical research and diagnosis to characterize red blood cell abnormalities. Using his skillset as an engineer, he also invented what can be considered an entire resource toolbox to address various scientific problems. Most recently, Dr. Narla has focused his efforts in developing strategies for the quantitative analysis of the various stages of erythropoiesis in human peripheral blood and bone marrow. He believes that a detailed understanding of normal and disordered erythropoiesis will lay the groundwork for novel diagnostic and therapeutic options that can improve patient care.

Dr. Narla also is commended for his generous and supportive attitude as a mentor to others. He serves as a great role model for less experienced ASH members by highlighting that it is possible to wear the many hats of brilliant researcher, a great mentor and facilitator, and most importantly, an inspiring human being.

Henry M. Stratton Medal

The Henry M. Stratton Medal is named after the late Henry Maurice Stratton, co-founder of Grune and Stratton, the medical publishing house that first published ASH’s journal Blood. The prize honors two senior investigators whose contributions to both basic and clinical/ translational hematology research are well recognized and have taken place over a period of several years.

ASH will recognize Michelle Le Beau, PhD, of the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Maria Domenica Cappellini, MD, of the University of Milan in Italy, with the 2020 Henry M. Stratton Medal for their contributions to basic and clinical/translational hematology research.

Dr. Le Beau has dedicated her research career to cytogenetic and molecular analysis of hematologic malignancies for the purpose of risk stratification and treatment selection. Focusing on cytogenetic aspects of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), she was key to the development of the first International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) classification for MDS. Dr. Le Beau is also recognized for her work in defining the genetic basis of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms, and in identifying tumor suppressor genes involved in the deletions of chromosome 5. Her research accomplishments contributed to the understanding that the loss of a single allele (haploinsufficiency) of multiple critical genes on chromosome 5 cooperate to mediate the adverse phenotype, and that alterations in the bone marrow environment synergize with altered hematopoietic cells to give rise to these myeloid neoplasms.

Dr. Cappellini is being recognized for her research in novel therapeutic challenges for thalassemias and sickle cell disease (SCD), including gene therapy and other pharmacologic treatments. These new treatments could significantly change the survival and quality of life of people suffering from these diseases. She has been involved in translational and clinical research focused on thalassemia for nearly four decades. Through the advent of techniques of molecular biology in the 1980s, Dr. Cappellini characterized the genotypes and phenotypes of beta thalassemia major, beta thalassemia intermedia, alpha thalassemia, and rare combinations of thalassemias that informed researchers’ understanding of the natural history of these disorders and allowed for molecular-based genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

William Dameshek Prize

The William Dameshek Prize, named for the late William Dameshek, MD, a past president of ASH and the original editor of Blood, recognizes an early- or mid-career individual who has made a recent outstanding contribution to the field of hematology.

ASH will recognize Adolfo Ferrando, MD, PhD, of the Columbia University Institute for Cancer Genetics in New York with the 2020 William Dameshek Prize.

Dr. Ferrando is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) biology. He is being recognized for his transformative work showing that mutations in the NOTCH1 gene drive T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia by hijacking lymphocyte development pathways responsible for cell growth, metabolism and survival. This work supports inhibiting NOTCH1 as potential therapy in this disease.

ASH Mentor Award

The ASH Mentor Award was established to recognize hematologists who have excelled in mentoring trainees and colleagues. Each year the Society recognizes two outstanding mentors drawn from the areas of basic science, clinical investigation, education, or clinical/community care who have had a significant, positive impact on their mentees' careers and, through their mentees, have advanced research and patient care in the field of hematology.

ASH will recognize Judith Gasson, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Wendy Stock, MD, of the University of Chicago, with the 2020 ASH Mentor Award for contributing to the professional development of numerous hematology trainees at various stages in their careers.

Dr. Gasson, the basic science awardee, has devoted her career to the study of cytokine biology in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. She has held numerous leadership positions in national societies including serving on the ASH Advisory Board (1993), the ASH Subcommittee on Hematopoietic Growth Factors as a member (1995-1998) and later as a Chair (1996), ASH meeting session chair, abstract reviewer and Meet the Professor participant. Dr. Gasson’s mentees who remained in academia are continuously funded tenure-track investigators at top tier institutions worldwide. Dr. Gasson is commended for being an energetic leader who brings the best out of her mentees while engendering a familial atmosphere. It is clear that she is deeply invested in her trainees’ professional and personal success.

Dr. Stock, the clinical awardee, has been involved in many ASH-related trainee activities, including serving as a faculty member on the steering committee for the Clinical Research Training Institute, member of the study section for the Research Training Award Fellowship, and as co-chair of the ASH Education Program. She is widely known to early phase trainees at her institution as the “go-to” faculty member for guidance regarding productive and educational research opportunities. Her mentees hold diverse careers, from basic science-oriented faculty to clinician-educators and clinicians, and some work entirely outside the field of hematology. She has encouraged professional growth within hematology as well as in pharmacology and infectious disease, and she has helped her mentees establish professional relationships to succeed in these fields.

ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity

The ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity honors hematologists who have supported the development of an inclusive hematology workforce, who have encouraged the career development of underrepresented minority trainees, or who have made the commitment to inclusiveness in contributions to the mission of ASH.

ASH will recognize Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts with the 2020 ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity. Dr. Benz is being honored for his efforts to promote women and underrepresented minority hematologists throughout the course of his career.

Dr. Benz successfully established a culture at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that focused on supporting junior faculty, with specific attention to increasing the number of women and underrepresented minority faculty members. While serving as director of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, he launched a trans-institutional Initiative to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, designed to coordinate cancer disparities research, enhance minority medical student training, and promote development of a diverse faculty throughout the Harvard cancer enterprise. He spearheaded a novel partnership with the University of Massachusetts Boston, the area’s largest academic institution that primarily serves minority populations, to develop a more diverse workforce, by encouraging students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in health and science. Additionally, he established the first Dana-Farber clinic in a community health center for minority patients. He is currently the principal investigator of a National Institutes of Health R25 grant devoted to promoting minority careers in STEM fields.

ASH Outstanding Service Award

The ASH Outstanding Service Award is presented annually to an individual who has worked tirelessly to raise public awareness and increase research funding for hematologic diseases. The 2020 recipient will be announced at the meeting.

ASH Public Service Award

The ASH Public Service Award is presented annually to an elected public official who has demonstrated unparalleled leadership on issues of importance to hematology research and/or practice. The 2020 recipient will be announced at the meeting.