Vickie E. Baracos, University of Alberta
The long-term focus of Dr Baracos’ career is the pathophysiology of skeletal muscle atrophy in an effort that encompasses fundamental and translational research, a clinical research agenda and an international network of strategic collaboration. Cancer cachexia, a debilitating condition characterized by profound atrophy of skeletal muscle has been her focus since 2003. Dr Baracos developed the use of clinical computed tomography to detect and precisely measure the muscle loss which is an integral part of cachexia. Muscle loss is strongly associated with chemotherapy toxicity, complications of surgery and mortality.
Eduardo Bruera, MD Anderson Cancer Center
He has received awards from the American Cancer Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He received the Sigillum Magnum by the University of Bologna (2023) and the Balfour Mount professorship by the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (2022). Dr Bruera is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and King’s College London. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Montreal (2017) and Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (2023) and Master of the American College of Physicians (2024).The Canadian Society of Palliative Medicine established the “Eduardo Bruera Award” as a career award for palliative care specialists. The Latin American Association for Palliative Care has established the “Eduardo Bruera” career award for research.
Maria Rohm, Helmholtz Center Munich
Dr. Rohm graduated from the University of Heidelberg, followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Oxford. She is leading the research division Tissue Crosstalk in Cancer & Metabolism at Helmholtz Munich, where she investigates lipid metabolism and organ communication in cachexia, and the interaction between different metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer. Dr. Rohm has won numerous awards including the Future leaders award by the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) and an ERC Starting Grant. Dr. Rohm has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Cancer Cachexia Society since 2021 and currently serves as treasurer.
Sheng 'Tony' Hui, Harvard University
Tony Hui is an assistant professor of molecular metabolism at the Harvard T.H. Chan school of public health. He obtained his PhD in biophysics at UCSD working on quantitative analysis of bacterial metabolism. He then trained as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Josh Rabinowitz at Princeton University on quantitative flux analysis in mice. Dr. Hui’s lab develops advanced in vivo flux quantification methods and applies them to understanding diseases with dysregulated energy metabolism focusing on obesity and cancer cachexia.