Awards & Recognition

Trailblazer Award for Emerging Markets

About the Award

This award recognizes an ISCT member from an emerging economy who has demonstrated leadership and impact to advance the growth of Cell and Gene Therapy in their region, embracing the mission and vision of the Society.

nominations now closed

Eligibility Criteria: Nominees for the ISCT Trailblazer Award for Emerging Markets are considered eligible provided they fulfill the following criteria:

  • Practice in one of the three pillars of value of the Society: Academia, Regulatory (including Quality and Operations), or Industry
  • Must reside in a designated emerging economy as defined by ISCT via the World Bank 
    • See countries eligible for reduced ISCT membership rates
  • Has contributed to the expansion of cell and gene therapy within the emerging economy, through service with the Society
  • The Awardee must have signed the ISCT membership pledge for 2026 before acceptance of the award. Nominee must be an individual and cannot be a member of the ISCT Awards Committee or Board of Directors
  • Previous ISCT Trailblazer Award winners are not eligible
  • Posthumous nominations are not eligible for this award

Nomination and Selection Process:

  1. Nominators
    1. The nominator must be a current ISCT member
    2. The nominator may not be a current member of the Awards Committee nor the Board of Directors
  2. Nominations may be submitted via the ISCT Awards web portal or emailed to isct@isctglobal.org before the deadline
    1. Nominations must include:
      1. Name of nominee, designation and affiliations
      2. Name of nominator and contact details
      3. Rationale for nomination (achievements, impact of contributions to advance the field of cell and gene therapy in their country/region, etc.) (< 500 words)
      4. CV and/or additional nomination materials may be requested by the Awards Committee
  3. The deadline for nominations is February 16, 2026
  4. The Awards Committee will evaluate candidates on their achievement(s) and overall contribution to advance for field of cell and gene therapy
  5. A recommendation will be submitted by the Awards Committee to the Board of Directors for final consideration and approval.
  6. Selection of the Recipient will be made based solely on the merit of their scientific accomplishments without regard to race, gender, nationality or religious or political views


Past Recipients

Virginia Picanço-Castro

ISCT is honoured to award Virginia Picanço-Castro the 2026 ISCT Trailblazer Award for Emerging Markets for her outstanding work in advancing cell and gene therapy in the region of South & Central America.

ISCT proudly celebrates Dr. Virginia Picanço-Castro's visionary leadership at the Ribeirão Preto Blood Center and the University of São Paulo, where she has played a transformative role in building Brazil's ATMP infrastructure and seamlessly connecting academic innovation with clinical application to foster a sustainable and thriving CGT ecosystem. Her work embodies the spirit of a Trailblazer—expanding access to advanced therapies beyond geographic and economic boundaries and paving the way for broader global impact.

In addition to her scientific achievements, Dr. Picanço-Castro's dedicated service to ISCT—including her role as Regional Vice President Elect for South & Central America and her contributions to the Early Stage Professionals (ESP) Committee and its programs—reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and the continued advancement of the global cell and gene therapy community.

ISCT Trailblazer Award
for Emerging Markets

2025 Recipient

Chaiyong Koaykul, PhD
Thailand
Deputy Director of the Excellence Center for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (EC-ATMPs) at King
Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society

ISCT Trailblazer Award
for Emerging Markets

2024 Recipient
Chin Sze Piaw, MD
Malaysia
Adjunct Professor and Honorary Fellow, Centre for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University Tunku Abdul Rahman


 

The International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy is proud to present the inaugural 2023 ISCT Trailblazer Award for Emerging Emerging Markets to Andrés Caicedo.

ISCT is delighted to award the first ISCT Trailblazer Award for Emerging Markets to Andrés Caicedo for his leadership and impact within South and Central America, not only leading the development of the cell and gene therapy field in the region but also leading the recruitment and retention of ISCT members in the SCA region.

Awards & Recognition