Nancy A. Speck, PhD, a pioneering figure in hematology and the chair of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize by the American Society of Hematology (ASH). This high honor, named after Nobel laureate and former ASH president E. Donnall Thomas, is awarded to scientists whose work has introduced transformative insights or paradigm shifts within hematology. Dr. Speck’s career, distinguished by over four decades of influential research in blood cell biology and oncology, exemplifies such groundbreaking contributions. The award ceremony and lecture will take place during the ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition in December 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Speck’s recognition stems from her seminal research elucidating the complex processes underpinning hematopoiesis, the biological mechanism through which blood cells are formed, and leukemogenesis, the pathological progression that leads to leukemia. Her discoveries have enhanced the scientific community’s understanding of how blood cells develop and how mutations can derail this process, leading to malignancies. Central to her work is the identification and characterization of the transcription factor complex known as core binding factor (CBF), a critical regulator of embryonic blood cell development. The complex includes the RUNX1 subunit, encoded by the RUNX1 gene, mutations in which have been linked to familial platelet disorder with predisposition to myeloid malignancies, a hereditary condition increasing susceptibility to blood cancers such as myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemia.
The core binding factor complex functions as a master regulator orchestrating gene expression during hematopoietic differentiation. RUNX1, in particular, acts as a gatekeeper ensuring proper lineage specification and maturation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Disruption of RUNX1 function through genetic mutations induces aberrant transcriptional programs, impairing normal blood formation and predisposing cells to leukemic transformation. Dr. Speck’s work dissecting the molecular roles of CBF and RUNX1 has been instrumental in unraveling the pathobiology of hematologic malignancies, offering critical insights into the mechanisms by which genetic abnormalities can initiate and propagate blood cancers.
Beyond her basic science discoveries, Dr. Speck’s research has broad translational implications. Understanding the molecular pathways governed by CBF and RUNX1 opens avenues for therapeutic intervention in leukemia and related hematologic disorders. By illuminating how transcription factors control both normal and malignant hematopoiesis, her studies provide a foundational framework for developing targeted treatments that could correct or counteract the effects of pathogenic mutations. Such precision medicine approaches hold promise for improving prognosis and treatment efficacy for patients afflicted with myeloid leukemias.
Dr. Speck’s research excellence is complemented by her extensive service to the scientific community. She has been a dedicated reviewer for leading academic journals including Blood, Nature, Nature Genetics, Cell, Stem Cell, Cancer Cell, Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Furthermore, she has chaired multiple NIH study sections and grant review panels for prominent organizations such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, reflecting her role in shaping hematology research funding priorities at a national level. Her leadership in these roles underscores her influence beyond the laboratory, guiding the trajectory of research funding and scientific inquiry in hematology.
An academic trailblazer, Dr. Speck earned her PhD in biochemistry from Northwestern University in 1983. Her postdoctoral training encompassed retroviral pathogenesis and eukaryotic gene regulation at the world-renowned Whitehead Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her broad expertise in molecular biology and genetics provided a solid foundation for her subsequent groundbreaking investigations. Since joining the University of Pennsylvania in 2008, she has also served as co-leader of the Hematologic Malignancies Program at the Abramson Cancer Center and is an investigator with the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, further integrating her basic research with clinical cancer studies.
Her scientific contributions have been recognized through numerous awards throughout her career, including the Leukemia Society of America Scholar Award, the Fogarty International Center Senior Fellow Award, the Henry M. Stratton Medal for Basic Science bestowed by the American Society of Hematology in 2015, and the Donald Metcalf Award from the International Society for Experimental Hematology in 2018. In 2019, she was elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences, reflecting the high esteem in which she is held by her peers in the scientific community. This latest ASH award confirms not only the continued impact of her research but also the enduring relevance of her scientific leadership.
The American Society of Hematology, the organization bestowing this honor, is the world’s largest and most influential professional society dedicated to the study and treatment of blood diseases. Their annual meeting gathers thousands of clinicians and researchers globally, making Dr. Speck’s lecture a highly anticipated highlight. The E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize celebrates those whose pioneering research has fundamentally changed our understanding of hematology, marking a legacy of innovation and discovery that drives progress in blood science.
Dr. Speck’s work has significantly enhanced the biological and clinical understanding of blood cell development and malignancies. Her insights into the genetic and molecular regulation of hematopoiesis have laid the groundwork for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In doing so, she has helped transform the field, shifting paradigms about how blood disorders—particularly leukemias—originate and evolve. Through her mentorship and scientific rigor, she continues to inspire the next generation of hematology researchers.
Additionally, Dr. Speck’s role as chair of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Penn reflects her broader commitment to fostering academic excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her leadership contributes to advancing biomedical science through integration of basic biology with clinical applications, especially in cancer research. Her capacity to bridge these domains exemplifies the evolving landscape of hematology, where integrated approaches accelerate translation from bench to bedside.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, where Dr. Speck is based, represents a beacon of biomedical innovation. It is consistently among the nation’s top NIH-funded institutions, supporting a rich environment for pioneering research. Penn Medicine is renowned for its legacy of ‘firsts’ in medical breakthroughs, including cutting-edge therapies like CAR T-cell immunotherapy and advances in mRNA vaccine technology. Dr. Speck’s achievements further contribute to this vibrant ecosystem of discovery and clinical innovation.
In summary, Nancy A. Speck’s receipt of the E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize is a testament to her groundbreaking contributions that have reshaped hematology. Her focused research on transcriptional control mechanisms, particularly through the core binding factor complex and RUNX1, has revealed critical pathways of blood cell development and disease. As hematology moves toward more precise molecular treatments, Dr. Speck’s discoveries serve as foundational knowledge paving the way for future scientific and clinical advancements in fighting blood cancers and related disorders.
Subject of Research: Hematopoiesis, Leukemogenesis, Transcription factor RUNX1, Core binding factor complex
Article Title: Nancy A. Speck, PhD, Honored with the 2025 E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize by the American Society of Hematology
News Publication Date: Not explicitly stated; award is for 2025, with announcement prior to the December 2025 ASH meeting
Web References:
– https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p8221581
– https://www.hematology.org/newsroom/press-releases/2025/ash-announces-2025-hematologists-honored-with-highest-distinctions
– https://www.hematology.org/awards/honorific/e-donnall-thomas-lecture-and-prize
References: Information derived from University of Pennsylvania and ASH press releases and institutional webpages.
Image Credits: None provided in the source content.
Keywords: Hematology, Hematopoiesis, Blood cancer, Leukemogenesis, RUNX1, Core binding factor, Transcription factors, Leukemia, Myeloid malignancies, Stem cell biology, Molecular hematology, Cancer research
