(Press-News.org) The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), the premier global molecular diagnostic professional society, today announced the recipients of its 2025 Excellence in Molecular Diagnostics, Jeffrey A. Kant Leadership and Meritorious Service Awards. These prestigious honors will be presented in November during the AMP 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo in Boston.
Award for Excellence in Molecular Diagnostics
Elaine R. Mardis, Ph.D.
Co-executive Director, Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Rasmussen Nationwide Foundation Endowed Chair in Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Professor of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Dr. Mardis will receive AMP’s highest honor for her groundbreaking work in cancer genomics, immunogenomics and analytics, as well as for her significant contributions to advancing molecular diagnostics. An internationally recognized expert with more than 550 published manuscripts, Dr. Mardis co-led the effort to sequence and analyze the first cancer genome using massively parallel sequencing and played a key role in major cancer genomics initiatives including The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project. Her current research focuses on clinical profiling of pediatric cancer to identify somatic and germline drivers of disease and characterize the tumor immune microenvironment. As principal investigator of a study funded by the National Cancer Institute, she has overseen the molecular profiling of more than 5,500 pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancer cases across the U.S. in collaboration with Children’s Oncology Group. Dr. Mardis is a former president of the American Association for Cancer Research, and in 2019, she was elected an AACR Academy Fellow and a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Mardis will deliver a keynote lecture, titled “The Advancement of Next-Generation Sequencing and Analytics for Pediatric Precision Diagnosis,” following her award presentation at the AMP Annual Meeting.
Jeffrey A. Kant Leadership Award
Alexis B. Carter, M.D.
Molecular Genetic Pathologist and Physician Informaticist, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
Dr. Carter is recognized for her leadership in molecular pathology and her dedication to advancing the field through innovation and mentorship. She has built upon his legacy by elevating the role of informatics in pathology and by spearheading the development of standards for next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics. An active AMP member for more than 20 years, Dr. Carter has held several leadership roles, including chair of the Informatics Subdivision (2014–2018), chair of the Finance Committee (2021–2023) and chair of the EHR Interoperability for Clinical Genomics Working Group (2020–2025). She also served as AMP Secretary–Treasurer from 2021 to 2023. Dr. Carter previously received AMP’s Meritorious Service Award in 2017.
Dr. Carter is also a former fellow of Dr. Jeffrey Kant’s, for whom the award is named. Dr. Kant played a pivotal role in establishing AMP and served as its first president. He received the inaugural AMP Leadership Award in 2005.
Meritorious Service Awards
Dara L. Aisner, M.D., Ph.D.
Vice Chair for Genomic Laboratory Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Dr. Aisner is honored for her unwavering advocacy for precision medicine and her influential work in developing molecular laboratory procedures. Her past service to AMP includes participation in numerous committees and working groups, such as the Training and Education Committee (2010), the Molecular Curriculum Task Force (2011–2014) and the Economic Affairs Committee (2012–2018). She currently serves on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Rulemaking Task Force. In 2024, Dr. Aisner testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on FDA regulation of laboratory-developed tests, reflecting her commitment to policy and practice at the national level.
Lawrence J. Jennings, M.D., Ph.D.
Director of Genomic Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Professor, Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Dr. Jennings is recognized for his longstanding service to AMP and his many contributions to molecular diagnostics. Over the past decade, he has participated in 10 AMP workgroups and has chaired both the NGS Assay Validation Workgroup and the Solid Tumor Subdivision. Dr. Jennings has played a key role in developing professional standards through work with a variety of professional associations responsible for issuing clinical guidelines. His publications on assay validation and implementation have helped to shape clinical laboratory practices worldwide. A frequent and engaged contributor at AMP meetings, Dr. Jennings exemplifies AMP’s mission through collaboration and leadership.
AMP President Jane S. Gibson, Ph.D., Pegasus-awarded professor of pathology, chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences and director of molecular diagnostics at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, praised the honorees. “It will be my distinct privilege to present Drs. Mardis, Carter, Aisner and Jennings with AMP’s highest honors at this year’s AMP Annual Meeting,” said Gibson. “These awards are a small token of our deep appreciation for their many contributions and unwavering commitment to improving clinical practice and patient care.”
For more information about the AMP 2025 Annual Meeting, please visit www.amp25.amp.org.
About AMP
Association for Molecular Pathology was founded in 1995 to provide structure and leadership to the emerging field of molecular diagnostics. AMP’s more than 3,100 members practice various disciplines of molecular diagnostics, including bioinformatics, infectious diseases, inherited conditions and oncology. Our members are pathologists, clinical laboratory directors, basic and translational scientists, technologists and trainees who practice in a variety of settings, including academic and community medical centers, government and industry. Through the efforts of its Board of Directors, Committees, Working Groups and Members, AMP is the primary resource for expertise, education and collaboration in one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare. AMP members influence policy and regulation on the national and international levels, ultimately serving to advance innovation in the field and protect patient access to high-quality, appropriate testing. For more information, visit www.amp.org.
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Association for Molecular Pathology announces 2025 award recipients
2025-07-28
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