The 51st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), held from March 30 to April 2, 2025, in Florence, Italy, was not only a scientific milestone but also a vibrant celebration of progress in the field of stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy. Researchers, clinicians, and professionals from across the globe gathered to share knowledge and spotlight innovation. A major highlight of this year’s meeting was the series of prestigious awards presented to researchers whose work represents the future of hematology, immunotherapy, and transplant science.

Best Essay Awards: Thought Leadership Through the “Five Best Essays”

In a session both engaging and reflective, five finalists presented their original essays tackling some of the most pressing and creative topics in modern medicine. The session stood out not only for its academic merit but also for its audience participation, as attendees were invited to vote live for the winner. Despite technical glitches, the voting concluded successfully and the audience celebrated the moment with great enthusiasm. The winning essay by Cristóbal Frutos, titled “Artificial Intelligence vs. Real Intelligence,” delved into the philosophical and clinical implications of AI in healthcare, highlighting the tension between data-driven decision-making and human empathy. All five participants  were awarded certificates for their exceptional contributions to this evolving discourse.

Van Bekkum Award: Advancing Allogeneic NK Cell Therapy

As the highest scientific distinction at the EBMT, the Van Bekkum Award was presented during the Presidential Symposium. This year, the honor went to Dr. Gunjan Shah from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the United States. Her award-winning abstract presented early results from the LUMINIS-203 study, which explores the use of off-the-shelf allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells for patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Dr. Shah’s work underscores the expanding role of NK cells in adoptive immunotherapy and presents a viable, scalable solution for patients with limited options. Her study not only addresses an urgent clinical need but also pushes the boundary of what is possible in cell-based therapeutics.

Jon J. van Rood Award: Reducing CAR-T Neurotoxicity Through Targeted Inhibition

The Jon J. van Rood Award, presented by the Cellular Therapy and Immunobiology Working Party, recognized two outstanding researchers for their impactful contributions. Dr. Yanaki Manoja Vinakota (Freiburg, Germany) presented her work on targeting TGF-β-activated kinase to mitigate immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity in CAR-T therapy. This promising approach could significantly enhance patient safety by managing one of the most challenging side effects of CAR-T cell therapy. Co-recipient Dr. Nicoletta Sherry (USA), unable to attend in person, shared her findings via a pre-recorded presentation. Dr. Vinakota’s heartfelt thanks to her mentor, Prof. Robert Zeiser, and her collaborative team served as a touching reminder of the support structures behind great science.

Basic Science Award: Rethinking the Longevity of Transplanted Stem Cells

The Basic Science Award was presented to Dr. Konradin Müskens (Netherlands) for his groundbreaking study on clonal hematopoiesis in long-term survivors of pediatric stem cell transplantation. His research investigates whether transplanted hematopoietic stem cells can function for an entire human lifetime—perhaps up to 120 years. By tracing the origin and evolution of hematopoietic clones decades after transplantation, Dr. Müskens opens a new frontier in understanding stem cell aging, stability, and long-term risks such as secondary malignancies. His work is foundational, prompting deeper questions about how we define success in transplantation beyond short-term survival.

Jian-Jian Luan Award: Innovation in Lymphoma Transplant Research

Awarded during the Lymphoma Working Party (LWP) session, the Jian-Jian Luan Award recognized Dr. Magdalena Corona de Lapuerta (USA) for her pioneering research in lymphoma transplant therapy. Her study focused on comprehensive genomic and phenotypic profiling of CD19 in patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy, with the goal of predicting therapeutic response and understanding resistance mechanisms. Presented by Professor Ali Bazarbachi, this award honored work that blends clinical relevance with high-level genomic science, helping to tailor therapies to individual patient profiles and improve long-term outcomes in lymphoma care.

Springer Nature Poster Awards: Excellence in Translational Discovery

The Springer Nature Poster Awards were announced during the EBMT Closing Ceremony, recognizing two researchers for outstanding poster contributions in both clinical and basic science categories. Megan Chafee  (USA) received the Clinical Poster Award for her biomarker analysis from a Phase 1B study on CER-155 in adults undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation, providing valuable translational insights into drug development and patient stratification. Evelyn Ulrich (Germany) received the Basic Science Poster Award for her innovative study on edited BCMA-directed CAR NK cells, a forward-looking therapeutic platform for treating multiple myeloma. Both posters highlighted the richness of EBMT’s poster sessions and the importance of early-phase science.

Best Young Abstract Awards: Celebrating Rising Stars

Among the most anticipated events of the congress, the Best Young Abstract Awards recognized 17 outstanding early-career researchers for oral and poster presentations. These awards are a testament to the breadth and depth of talent entering the field.

Best Young Oral Abstract Awards

1. Konradin Müskens (Netherlands) Topic: Clonal hematopoiesis in pediatric transplantation survivors.

1. Houli Zhao (China) Topic: CAR T-cell therapy followed by haploidentical transplant in relapsed/refractory ALL.

1. Jonathan Bordat Topic: Use of NSAIDs in managing gosohematodiaphysial dysplasia.

1. Jan-Robert Heusel (Germany) Topic: Strategies in high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

1. Fabian Freitag (Germany) Topic: CD4/CD8 CAR-T cells and transcription factor enhancement.

1. Yeqian Zhao (China) Topic: TP53 variants and germline mutations impacting allo-transplant outcomes in AML/MDS.

1. Benedetta Elena Di Majo (Italy) Topic: Cord blood vs. haploidentical stem cell transplantation.

1. YiShan Ye (China) Topic: GRFS outcomes in haploidentical transplant using PTCy.

1. Matthias Schäfer-Kupper (Germany) Topic: Reconstructing skeletal homeostasis post-transplant in myelofibrosis.

1. Nico Gagelmann (Germany) Topic: CAR T-cell therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

1. Magdalena Corona Topic: Genomic and phenotypic profiling of CD19 in lymphoma patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy.

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Best Young Poster Abstract Awards

1. Luxiang Wang (China) Topic: MDS-related mutations associated with survival after HMA maintenance post-allo in AML.

1. Giulia Losi (Italy) Topic: Role of functional respiratory tests before CAR T-cell therapy.

1. Karima Al Akioui Sanz (Spain) Topic: Adoptive cell therapy using memory T-lymphocytes in immunocompromised patients with infections.

1. Yuhua Ru (China) Topic: Outcomes in haploidentical vs. matched unrelated donor transplant for MDS/AML.

1. Ping Wang (China) Topic: Stem cell transplantation for early-onset IBD due to IL-10 receptor deficiency.

6.     Xiaoying Zhang

1. (China) Topic: Long-term outcomes of CAR T-cell cocktail therapy in non-remission relapsed/refractory DLBCL.

From CAR-T cell innovations to genetic mutation tracking, each presentation represented the next wave of breakthrough thinking. This year’s awardees illustrated the global nature of hematologic research, with winners from Europe, China, and the United States.

Conclusion: A Global Celebration of Progress

The EBMT 2025 Awards Ceremony was not merely a distribution of honors; it was a collective celebration of where the field stands today and where it is headed. Whether through essays that challenge our ethical thinking, translational posters that reveal new therapeutic pathways, or basic science that rewrites our understanding of biology, each award illuminated a facet of progress. As the community moves forward, these honorees will undoubtedly shape the science and practice of tomorrow.