Submitted by Catherine Atkins on Tue, 27/01/2026 - 16:47
Congratulations to ECI Director Rebecca Fitzgerald who has been elected as Fellow of the AACR Academy, Class of 2026.
The Fellows of the AACR Academy was established to honour scientists, clinicians, and physician-scientists whose visionary work has reshaped the landscape of cancer research. These individuals have propelled major breakthroughs in cancer biology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and together form a global community of thought leaders who are advancing the AACR’s mission to prevent and cure all cancers. As a collective, elected Fellows of the AACR Academy serve as a reservoir of expertise, supporting research, education, collaboration, communication, and advocacy for vital research funding that is necessary to accelerate progress and improve patient care.
Election as a Fellow of the AACR Academy is achieved through a rigorous, peer-review process designed to evaluate and recognize only those individuals whose scientific accomplishments have left an enduring mark on cancer research. Each candidate is assessed on the depth and global impact of their work, ensuring that induction remains one of the highest honours bestowed by the AACR.
“This year, we are extremely excited to announce the election of 24 new Fellows of the AACR Academy who embody the pinnacle of scientific excellence. Together, these individuals from around the globe, specializing in various scientific disciplines, have fundamentally shaped cancer research and improved patient outcomes.” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. “We are deeply honored to induct this newly elected class of 2026 Fellows into the AACR Academy, which currently includes 375 honourees, and we look forward to celebrating their monumental scientific achievements at our upcoming Annual Meeting in April.”
Rebecca's election as an AACR Fellow is "For unparalleled contributions to uncovering the molecular pathogenesis of esophageal adenocarcinoma and for pioneering minimally invasive cancer diagnostics through the development of the Cytosponge-TFF3, the first non-endoscopic test for Barrett’s esophagus, which has demonstrated over tenfold greater sensitivity in large-scale trials and transformed early detection by offering a practical, cost-effective alternative to endoscopy."