Recognising excellence in CML - Congratulations to the 2026 iCMLf prize winners
From scientific discovery to clinical innovation and global implementation, progress in CML is driven by individuals whose work fundamentally changes what is possible for patients worldwide. Each year, the iCMLf Prizes recognise those who have made a lasting impact in the field of CML.
We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2026 iCMLf Prizes, honouring three exceptional individuals whose contributions span CML biology, children with CML, and improving CML management in low- and middle-income countries:
- 2026 Rowley Prize – Professor Junia Vaz de Melo (Australia)
- 2026 Goldman Prize – Professor Meinolf Suttorp (Germany)
- 2026 iCMLf Prize – Associate Professor Amha Gebremedhin (Ethiopia)
Previous prize winners, together with the iCMLf Directors and Advisors, selected this year’s recipients from nominations submitted by the international CML community. These awardees reflect excellence across the breadth of the field. We invite you to learn more about their outstanding achievements below.
Join us in celebrating the 2026 iCMLf Prize winners:
- Rowley Prize – Professor Junia Paz de Melo
The iCMLf Rowley Prize recognises outstanding lifetime contributions to the biology of CML. Professor Junia Vaz de Melo is honoured for her pioneering work in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of CML, including BCR::ABL signalling, disease progression, and treatment resistance. Her research has been instrumental in bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical application, helping to lay the scientific foundations for targeted therapies and more personalised treatment strategies.
- Goldman Prize – Professor Meinolf Suttorp
The iCMLf Goldman Prize recognises major contributions to the clinical management of CML. Professor Meinolf Suttorp is awarded for his decades-long leadership in pediatric CML, where he has helped define treatment strategies, led international clinical trials, and advanced understanding of the unique biological and clinical features of CML in children and adolescents. His work has shaped modern pediatric CML care and improved outcomes for young CML patients worldwide.
- iCMLf Prize – Associate Professor Amha Gebremedhin
The iCMLf Prize honours individuals who have advanced access to CML care in low- and middle-income countries. Associate Professor Amha Gebremedhin is recognised for his transformative role in Ethiopia, where he has strengthened diagnostic capacity, expanded access to treatment, and trained a new generation of hematologists. His work exemplifies how sustained commitment and leadership can translate scientific progress into real-world impact for patients with CML in low- and middle-income countries.
The 2026 iCMLf Prize medals will be presented during award ceremonies at the
28th ESH-iCMLf Annual John Goldman Conference on CML: Biology and Therapy in Gothenburg in October. Keynote presentations will highlight not only their individual contributions, but also the continued evolution of CML research and treatment worldwide.
Please join us in congratulating all three recipients on their well-deserved recognition.