Meet Our Speakers

Dr. Matti Aapro is member of the Board of Directors of the Cancer Center, Genolier, Switzerland and of the Board of the International Union for Cancer Control (UICC). He is President of Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC) and Immediate Past-President of All.Can, both not-for-profit associations dedicated to education and improvement of the cancer patient pathway. He is Executive Board Member of the International Society for Geriatric Oncology (SIOG), Past-President of the European Cancer Organisation (member of the ECO International Committee) and PastPresident of the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), as well as being a Fellow of MASCC (FMASCC).

He is past member of the European School of Oncology (ESO) Advisory Board. He is member of the Board of the French-speaking Society for Supportive Care (AFSOS), member of the Board of Directors of the World Association for Integrative Oncology (WAIO) and Advisor to the Japanese Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (JASCC). He has been on the Board of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO).

He has authored more than 300 papers published in peerreviewed journals and has received several prizes and honours. His main areas of interest are breast cancer, supportive care and geriatric oncology.

Dr. Hatem A. Azim, MD, PhD, is a Senior Medical Oncology Consultant and Chief Executive of Cairo Cure Oncology Center. He is an internationally recognized breast cancer specialist, clinical trialist, and drug developer, with particular expertise in breast cancer in young women, fertility preservation, and cancer during pregnancy. Dr. Azim has held academic and clinical positions at leading international institutions and has served on several ESMO scientific and guideline committees.

He has authored more than 160 publications in leading oncology journals and delivered over 80 invited lectures across approximately 20 countries. His awards include the 2023 King Hussein Award for Cancer Research and the 2015 ASCO Merit Award.

Dr. Yazid Belkacemi is currently Chairman of Department of Radiation Oncology, Head of the Henri Mondor Breast Unit, University Hospital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France and Professor in Radiation Oncology, University of Paris XII. He gained his Medical degree in 1988 and in 1989 he did a Residency in Radiation Oncology in Paris, France. He did a Master in Pharmaco-Oncology in 1991 and in 1992 he specialised in Radiation Oncology followed by a Master in Radiology from 1993-1994 at the Universities of Paris V, XI, XII and the Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucleaires and a PhD as Physical Doctor in 2000 at the University of Paris XI.

Between 1990 and 2002 Prof Belkacemi worked as Radiation Oncologist at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Tenon Hospital, Paris and from 2002 to 2007 at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Anti-cancer center, Oscar Lambret, in Northern France as referent in Breast Cancer. In 2007 he also completed a Master in Medical Management at ESCP-EAP, Paris. In 2005 he was appointed Associate Professor at the University of Lille II and in 2008 Professor in Radiation Oncology at Creteil Medical School, University of Paris East Cretel (UPEC).

He is Head of Department of Radiation Oncology and Chairman of the Henri Mondor Breast Unit at the Henri Mondor University Hospital, Creteil since since 2011. At the University of Paris East Creteil Pr Belkacemi is nominated as President of the International committee of UPEC since 2018.

Dr. Christopher Comstock is a professor of Clinical Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Following medical school at Tulane and a radiology residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, he completed a fellowship in Breast Imaging at the University of Chicago in 1995. From 2003-2009, Dr Comstock was the Director of Breast Imaging at the University of California at San Diego and completed a 2-year ACRIN fellowship in clinical trials in medical imaging.

From 2009-2024, he was an Attending radiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr Comstock became a Fellow of the American College of Radiology in 2012. His past professional service includes Chair of the ACR Breast Ultrasound Accreditation program, Chair of the RSNA Breast Refresher Course program, Chair of the ACR Breast Commission on Breast Imaging BI-RADS Lexicon Subcommittee on MRI, and Breast Committee Imaging Co-Chair of the ECOG-ACRIN NCI co-operative group.

Last year Dr Comstock was appointed Chair of the ACR Commission on Research. His prior research studies include serving as the Co-PI of the Alliance A011104/ACRIN 6694 study, Effect of Preoperative Breast MRI on Surgical Outcomes, and study chair of the ECOGACRIN (EA1141), Comparison of Abbreviated Breast MRI and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis. He is study chair of active CMIST (Contrast Enhanced Mammography Imaging Screening Trial), a multicenter trial comparing DBT and contrast enhanced mammography.

Dr Rebecca Dent is Deputy CEO (Clinical) at the National Cancer Center Singapore (NCCS) at SingHealth and a senior consultant in the breast medical oncology service, as well as Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School. Her main research interest is in the field of breast cancer, focusing specifically on early, large operable, locally advanced and metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Dr. Mahmoud El-Tamer, MD is trained as a breast surgeon with 35 years of experience caring for patients with breast cancer and works collaboratively with other breast cancer specialists on Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary breast cancer disease management team. Dr. El-Tamer received his MD from the American University of Beirut in 1981. He completed his residency at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in 1985, followed by four years of surgical oncology and reconstructive surgery at Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center.

After his training, Dr. El-Tamer became interested in joining these two disciplines to provide improved care to breast cancer patients and has developed a special expertise in this growing field of oncoplastic surgery. Dr. El-Tamer’s research interests have covered different aspects of breast cancer and quality of care in surgery. He has been the principal or co-principal investigator on research grants from the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation, the United States Veterans’ Administration, and the American College of Surgeons.

His current research interests are focused on tumor micro-environment post mastectomy radiation in 1–3 positive nodes and breast conservation. Dr. El-Tamer has published “Principals & Techniques in Oncoplastic Breast Cancer Surgery”, a textbook to help other surgeons enhance cosmetic results while performing surgery to treat breast cancer.

He is currently collaborating with international Oncoplastic surgeons to publish a second edition. Dr. El-Tamer holds the patent to a new agent for sentinel node detection.

Prof. Oreste Gentilini, MD, is Head of Breast Surgery and the Breast Unit at San Raffaele University Hospital and Professor of Surgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan. An internationally recognized breast surgical oncologist, he is Founder and President of EUBREAST and Chair of the landmark SOUND trial.

His expertise includes individualized, minimally invasive, and de-escalated breast surgery. He has performed more than 7,000 breast procedures and authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications.

Professor Michael Gnant, MD FACS FEBS Dr Michael Gnant is Full Professor of Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, where he also serves as President of the Austrian Breast & Colorectal Cancer Study Group. He is the hosting Co-Chair the renowned St Gallen International Breast Cancer Consensus Panel in Vienna. Dr Gnant graduated in medicine in Vienna (1988) and subsequently specialized in surgery (1994) and surgical oncology.

He also worked as a Visiting Scientist at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA (1997–1999). Dr Gnant’s research interests include several fields of surgical oncology, in particular breast and pancreatic cancer, immunotherapy, bone-targeted treatment for tumour micrometastases, tumor dormancy/quiescence and late relapse, pathway-directed therapies such as mTOR and CDK inhibition, SERDs, and he has been the Principal Investigator of many (N>30) clinical trials in these fields.

Valentina Guarneri, MD, PhD, is Full Professor of Oncology at the University of Padova, and Director of the Oncology 2 Division at the Istituto Oncologico Veneto. She is Director of the Specialty programme in Medical Oncology, chair of the multidisciplinary Breast Unit, Director of the Master Degree programme in Clinical Research in Oncology. She completed her fellowship in Oncology in 2003, and she obtained her PhD Degree in Clinical and Experimental Oncology in 2007.

In 2005, she completed a research experience at the Department of Breast Medical Oncology, UT. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Her research interest is mainly focused on clinical and translational research for breast cancer patients.

She published more than 300 papers in peer-reviewed journals. She has presented more than 450 lectures at national and international conferences.

Professor Ezzeldin Ibrahim is a globally recognized medical oncologist and the Chairman of the Department of Oncology at King's College London in Jeddah. He has been instrumental in establishing oncology services at King Faisal University in Dammam and was the founding chair of the Oncology Department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH) in Jeddah. During his tenure at KFSH, he served as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of the Research Centre. Recently, he founded the Oncology Centre of Excellence at the International Medical Centre (IMC) in Jeddah, where he also held the roles of Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of the IMC Academy.

Dr. Matteo Lambertini is the Director of the Medical Oncology Unit at Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera and Associate Professor in Medical Oncology at the University of Genova in Genova (Italy). He is mainly focused in the care of breast cancer patients and is deeply involved in breast cancer research. Above all, he has a particular expertise in the management of breast cancer in young women, with a specific attention to the fertility and pregnancy-related issues that they have to face after diagnosis.

During his medical oncology training, he had the opportunity to work and collaborate with several national and international leading experts in the field; these experiences have played a crucial role to deepen his skills in the management of breast cancer in young women. He is member of the guideline group on fertility preservation in cancer patients for ESMO (Lambertini M et al, Ann Oncol 2020), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embriology (ESHRE; Anderson RA et al, Hum Reprod Open 2020) and the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM; Lambertini M et al, Eur J Cancer 2017).

Dr. Antonio Marra is a Medical Oncologist at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, Italy, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology at the University of Milan. His clinical and translational research focuses on breast cancer and early-phase drug development. After completing his medical oncology training at the University of Milan, Dr. Marra pursued a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York.

There, he specialized in genomic and bioinformatic approaches to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to cancer therapies, particularly in solid tumors. This experience laid the groundwork for his ongoing work at the intersection of translational science and clinical innovation. In 2023, Dr. Marra was awarded the first European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) “Josè Baselga Fellowship for Clinician Scientists”, supporting his research on the application of genomics for biomarker discovery and improved patient selection in patients with breast cancer.

He is also actively exploring the integration of artificial intelligence in oncology, with a focus on identifying novel biomarkers, enhancing molecular diagnostics, and optimizing clinical trial design in precision medicine. Clinically, Dr. Marra has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator in multiple Phase I and II clinical trials involving novel therapeutic agents, including targeted therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and immunotherapies across various solid tumors.

His clinical work is closely aligned with translational research efforts aimed at accelerating the bench-to-bedside process. Dr. Marra is an active member of ESMO, where he contributes to the Developmental Therapeutics Faculty group and the Precision Oncology Task Force.

Dr. Meena S. Moran is the Chief of Breast Radiation Oncology at Yale New Haven Hospital. She is Professor of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale School of Medicine. She is known internationally for her work to improve breast cancer treatment guidelines, national health care delivery, and radiation therapy techniques.

As the current Vice-Chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Breast Panel, she leads the local-regional breast cancer topics. She was one of the founding board members of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Moran has published more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles and has given over 250 national and international professional presentations.

She has served on multiple editorial boards including Journal of Clinical Oncology, International J. Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Breast J. and Breast Cancer Research Treatment, and was an oral and written board examiner for American Board of Radiology for 10 years. As a hobby, she is an artist and has published artworks on medical journal covers and in medical textbooks.

Biography coming soon.

Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH is the Chief Clinical Strategy Officer, Vice Chair of Medical Oncology, and founder and director of Young and Strong, the Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer at Dana-Farber. A professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Partridge holds the Eric P. Winer, MD, Chair in Breast Cancer Research at Dana-Farber. She conducts clinical research focused on improving cancer care and outcomes with a particular focus on young adults with breast cancer.

Dr. Partridge serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); co-chairs the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Breast Committee; and serves on the NCI Breast Cancer Steering Committee. She is also a Chief Scientific Advisor for Susan G. Komen and an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor. Her research has been supported by the NCI, Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), Conquer Cancer, the American Cancer Society, and Susan G. Komen.

Dr. Partridge received a Champions of Change award from the U.S. White House, the American Association for Clinical Research (AACR) Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast Cancer, the ASCO Ellen L. Stovall Award for Advancement of Cancer Survivorship Care, and the 2024 ESMO Award from the European Society of Medical Oncology for her commitment and groundbreaking work advancing the field of breast cancer research. Dr. Partridge received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University before earning her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. She completed her residency at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and earned her Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Fedro Peccatori, MD, PhD, is Director of the Fertility and Procreation in Oncology Unit at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan and former Scientific Director of the European School of Oncology. A medical and gynecologic oncologist, his expertise includes breast and gynecological cancers, cancer in young adults, fertility preservation, and pregnancy-associated cancers. He has contributed to major international research initiatives, including the POSITIVE trial, and has authored more than 330 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Aleix Prat is the Director of the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute and the Director of the Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center at Hospital Clínic of Barcelona (Spain). He is also a Professor of Medicine at the University of Barcelona (UB), and Head of the Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors research group at the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS). In 2020, he co-founded the spin-off company Reveal Genomics, where he developed the HER2DX® genomic diagnostic test, recognized by TIME as one of the best inventions of 2022.

At the University of Barcelona, he leads the Chair of Innovation in Precision Oncology, where he also is a teacher. Throughout his career, he has gained international recognition as a prestigious oncologist and researcher for his outstanding contributions to oncology—particularly in breast cancer, genomics, biomarker development, and drug discovery. He has actively contributed to over 350 scientific publications and has supervised 15 PhD students.

Prof. Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCO, is Director of the Women’s Cancers Program, Division Chief of Breast Medical Oncology, and Professor of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research at City of Hope in California. An internationally recognized breast cancer specialist and clinical researcher, she has played leading roles in numerous pivotal clinical trials and guideline committees, with particular expertise in advanced breast cancer, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and treatment-related toxicities.

Prof. Rugo is a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the ASCO Educational Book. Her distinguished contributions to breast oncology, research, education, and patient care have earned her several honors, including the 2024 ESMO Breast Cancer Award.

Dr. Florian Scotté is MD-PhD, medical oncologist, specifically involved in head and neck cancer and supportive care in cancer. After different head positions to increase the development of supportive care wards in relation with oncological department, he has moved to Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France where he stands as Head of Division (Interdisciplinary Cancer Course Department-DIOPP) which combines supportive care departments, ambulatory care department and Critical care department (ICU and emergencies in oncology). He is President of MASCC for the 2024-2026 term, Vice-President of the AFSOS (French Speaking Association for Supportive Care in Cancer), ESMO faculty member, and ASCO member.

Teaching at several universities, including Paris Saclay where he stands as Professor, he is involved in training both medical and para medical students and professionals. He is involved as coordinator or co-investigator of numerous studies notably in the field of supportive care about the effectiveness of a frozen glove preventing onycholysis, national survey on the supportive care status, and digital health. In addition, he is especially interested in the issue of nausea and vomiting related to anticancer drugs and took part in drawing up the latest MASCC-ESMO guidelines.

Dr. Alphonse Taghian is a Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Lymphedema Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He earned his medical degree from Alexandria University in Egypt, completed his residency in Radiation Oncology in France, and later obtained a PhD in Radiobiology from Paris XI University. He subsequently joined the Department of Radiation Oncology at MGH as a staff physician.

Dr. Taghian is an internationally recognized leader in breast radiation oncology and lymphedema research. His work focuses on screening and early intervention for lymphedema, strategies to reduce cardiac exposure during breast irradiation, accelerated partial breast irradiation, the use of proton therapy in breast cancer, and the management of complications after breast reconstruction.

Dr Idriss Troussier is a French radiation oncologist and medical oncologist based at the Centre Haute Énergie and clinic parc impérial in Nice France, specialising in stereotactic radiotherapy and the multidisciplinary management of breast, prostate, lung and gastrointestinal cancers. He trained at Sorbonne University in Paris and completed fellowships at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV).

Alongside his clinical practice, Dr Troussier is actively involved in cancer prevention, lifestyle medicine and science communication, translating evidence-based research into practical health strategies for both healthcare professionals and the general public. He is also an endurance athlete and international speaker with a particular interest in the relationship between lifestyle, resilience and long-term health.

Dr. Giuseppe Viale, MD, FRCPath, is Chairman of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan and Emeritus Professor of Pathology at the University of Milan. He is an internationally recognized breast cancer pathologist and serves in leadership roles within major international breast cancer research groups. His work focuses on breast cancer biomarkers and the harmonization of ER, PgR, HER2, and Ki-67 testing. He has led pathology programs for numerous international clinical trials, authored more than 760 peer-reviewed publications, and received the 2023 St. Gallen Breast Cancer Award.