Profiles
The Life Journey of Giuseppe Curigliano: From Becoming an Expert to Making Experts
From Rome to Milan to ESMO’s presidency — a story of science, courage, and mentorship. I am in Yerevan. Giuseppe Curigliano is in Milan, just back from Asia. “JSMO, CSCO, Korea, Japan, China…” he sighs, then laughs. “Too much travel?”…
She’s Gone and Done It: The Story of Dr. Nageatte Ibrahim
Dr. Nageatte Ibrahim has spent her career at the intersection of oncology, science, and medicine, with achievements resulting in global impacts. Trained as a physician and scientist, she played a central role in the development of Keytruda, one of the…
Princess Dina: The Voice for The Voiceless
Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired of Jordan is recognized globally as one of the most influential voices in the fight against cancer and non-communicable diseases. A relentless advocate for equity in health, she has transformed cancer care in Jordan…
Patrick Soon-Shiong: He Who Speaks for the People
If you describe yourself in one sentence, what would it look like? I wish I could have been Kobe Bryant. Who is your role model? I wish I could have been Kobe Bryant. And what is your dream? I wish…
The Story of Dr. Anne Merriman: Pioneering Compassion and Dignity in Africa’s Palliative Care Revolution
No conversation about palliative care in Africa is complete without mentioning Dr. Anne Merriman. Her life was a testament to deep compassion — dedicated to caring for others, championing dignity in death, and ensuring free access to pain relief for…
The Unstoppable Jay: Jayasree K. Iyer’s Global Crusade for Equitable Cancer Care
Jayasree K. Iyer doesn’t pause when asked what keeps her awake at night. “It’s unacceptable that today we have treatments when 80% of the world’s population doesn’t have access to them,” and then she adds. “Why are we celebrating progress…
Michel Goldman: A Teacher Until the End
In a quiet Brussels morning, we sat down with Dr. Michel Goldman, 70, a world-renowned immunologist, the founding president of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Healthcare (I3h), and former executive director of the €2 billion Innovative Medicines Initiative. But…
Jennifer Buell: Turning Living Cells into Living Medicines
In an age where the boundaries of immunotherapy are constantly being redrawn, few voices carry as much scientific clarity and moral urgency as Dr. Jennifer Buell. A scientist by training and a biotech leader by conviction, Dr. Buell serves as…
“Moving Mountains with Passion”: The Life and Legacy of Baroness Françoise Meunier
It was a quiet public holiday in Brussels. The weather was pleasant and sunny, most offices were closed, and the streets were unusually serene as people paused from their routines. But not Baroness Françoise Meunier. She welcomed me into her…
“I’m Here”: The Story of George Kapetanakis
I first met George Kapetanakis at a Greek conference, where we were co-moderating a session. He came across as a warm and humble person. At the time, I had no idea he was the president of Greece’s largest patient organization.…