For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 10:00 am U.S. Eastern Time
Media Contact: Evelyn Mantegani, +1 (240) 833-2014, [email protected]
Rockville, Md. – Each year, the editors of The American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG) and Human Genetics and Genomics Advances (HGG Advances) recognize outstanding trainees and early career investigators whose research advances the field of human genetics and genomics. ASHG is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Publication Awards for exceptional articles and scientific achievement.
Award winners will be recognized during a ceremony at the 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 22 in Montréal. Press registration for ASHG 2026 is open.
AJHG Award for Outstanding Trainee Publication
This award recognizes research excellence from ASHG members who are completing their doctoral or postdoctoral training.
The 2026 award recipients are:
Nikolas Baya, PhD, Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.
Kathryn A. Lawrence, BS, Stanford University in Stanford, Calif.
HGG Advances Early Career Investigator Award
This award recognizes research excellence from ASHG members who have recently begun their independent research careers.
The 2026 award recipients are:
Quan Sun, PhD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
Paper: “Variational autoencoder-based model improves polygenic prediction in blood cell traits”
Cindy A. Thomas-Charles, PhD, University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn.
Paper: “Investigating and correcting a rare pathogenic mutation in GDF11”
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About the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) is the leading global organization advancing the science of human genetics and genomics. Representing nearly 8,000 researchers, clinicians, genetic counselors, educators, and other professionals, ASHG drives progress in understanding the human genome and its role in health and disease. The Society fosters innovation and collaboration through its flagship events and publications—including the ASHG Annual Meeting and its peer-reviewed journals The American Journal of Human Genetics and Human Genetics and Genomics Advances. ASHG also champions science advocacy, supports the next generation of genetics professionals, and promotes responsible policies and public engagement in genetics. Learn more at www.ashg.org.