Honors and Recognition

Each year, SITC celebrates legends in the field who have contributed immeasurably to advancing the science and application of immunotherapy. These individuals serve as a source of inspiration to the next generation and represent decades of progress for cancer patients everywhere.

Fellows of the Academy of Immuno-Oncology (FAIO)

SITC established the Academy of Immuno-Oncology to honor individuals who have made a substantial impact to the cancer immunotherapy field, propelling it to the breakthrough cancer treatment it is today. In 2025, SITC welcomed the following innovators to its fifth class of Fellows:

Julie R. Brahmer, MD, MSc, FASCO
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

George Coukos, MD, PhD
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, and Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne

F. Stephen Hodi, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Michael Lotze, MD, FACS
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Ignacio (Nacho) Melero, MD, PhD
Clinica Universidad de Navarra Medical School and Cima, and Nuffield Department of Medicine - University of Oxford

Learn more at: sitcancer.org/faio

Annual Awards

SITC recognized an incredible group of members and colleagues who notably contributed to the cancer immunotherapy field. Recipients were celebrated during the 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Pre-Conference Programs.

Ira Mellman, PhD, FAACR, FAIO
Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy & Medici Therapeutics
Richard V. Smalley Memorial Award & Lectureship

Francesco Marincola, MD
Translational & Advanced Medicine (TAM) Global
Lifetime Achievement Award

Roslyn Milstein Meyer, PhD and Jerome H. Meyer, MD
Tara Withington Public Service Award

Sjoerd van der Burg, PhD
Leiden University Medical Center & Oncode Institute
Pedro J. Romero Service to JITC Award

40th Anniversary Awards

SITC commemorated its 40th anniversary by presenting a series of special Anniversary Awards commending remarkable individuals and institutions whose work has profoundly advanced the field of cancer immunotherapy.

Connect-a-Colleague

SITC grows through word of mouth and referrals from its members. The SITC Connect-a-Colleague tool allows members to refer colleagues quickly and easily. The SITC member with the most referrals each year is recognized during the SITC Annual Meeting Award Ceremony with the Connect-a-Colleague Award. Matthew Old, MD received the 2025 Connect-a-Colleague award. 

332 referrals in 2025

Refer a colleague to SITC:
sitcancer.org/connect-a-colleague