ESGO Awards
for Outstanding Contribution to the Treatment of Women with Gynaecological Cancers
At ESGO 2026 in Copenhagen, we are pleased to present the recipients of two ESGO Awards. While the Helga Salvesen Translational Research Award has already been granted to four distinguished experts in the past, the Giovanni Scambia Award for Exceptional Mentorship will be introduced in Copenhagen in honour of the late Professor Giovanni Scambia of Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
ESGO Helga Salvesen Translational Research Award
Prof. Frédéric Amant
Presidential and Awards Session
Saturday, February 28 at 10:05 in Session hall I (D1)
ESGO Giovanni Scambia Award for Exceptional Mentorship
Dr. Pedro T. Ramirez
Presidential and Awards Session
Saturday, February 28 at 10:05 in Session hall I (D1)
In commemoration of Prof. Helga Salvesen, ESGO Council member, member of ENTRIGO and founder of ENITEC, the ESGO Council decided to initiate the biannual ESGO Helga Salvesen Award for a major contribution in translational research in 2017, prior to the ESGO Congress.
This award is meant for a clinician or translational researcher who made a significant contribution to translational research in gynaecological oncology in the past few years.
The ESGO Scientitic Committee is proud to announce Prof. Frédéric Amant as the recipient of the award at ESGO 2026, selected and approved by the ESGO Council.
Award Recipient 2026:
Prof. Frédéric Amant
Prof. Amant is a leading figure in translational gynaecologic oncology and reproductive health. His groundbreaking work on cancer during pregnancy has been internationally recognized, including the FWO Excellence Prize and the Joseph Maisin Prize for Clinical Biomedical Sciences (2025). Prof. Amant leads multiple innovative translational research projects, ranging from studying the long-term mutagenic impact of chemotherapy exposure in utero (IMPRINT) to the development of advanced patient-derived preclinical models, including organoids, explant cultures, and xenografts.
This award honors his exceptional contributions to translational research and his lasting impact on patient-centered cancer care across generations.
This newly established award was created to honour and celebrate exceptional mentors in gynaecological oncology - those who inspire excellence, foster innovation, and nurture the professional growth of others. It was founded in the loving memory of Prof. Giovanni Scambia, whose visionary leadership and dedication to education and mentorship inspired gynaecological oncology community.
The idea for this award was initiated by Prof. Viola Heinzelmann-Schwarz, Chair of the ESGO 2026 Scientific Programme Committee. Candidates were proposed by the ENYGO Scientific Committee and the ENYGO Giovanni Scambia Working Group, while the final candicate was formally approved by the ESGO Council.
Award Recipient 2026:
Dr. Pedro T. Ramirez
The selection of the 2026 Award winner reflects recognition of Dr. Ramirez's outstanding contributions.
As Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Gynecological Cancer, leader of landmark trials, such as LACC and LANCE, and architect of transformative educational programmes - including the IJGC Editorial Fellowship - Dr. Ramirez has mentored a generation of gynaecological oncologists worldwide.
His efforts have empowered young professionals to become leaders, advanced surgical standards globally, and promoted diversity and inclusion in mentorship. His work reflects the core values and purpose behind this award.
About Prof. Amant
Prof. Frédéric Amant obtained his degree as Medical Doctor at the KU Leuven. He studied Obstetrics & Gynecology also in Pretoria (RSA) and Concepcion (Chile). He combined a clinical fellowship and PhD in Gynecologic Oncology in Pretoria and KU Leuven. Also served as assistant professor at the University of Bergen and at the University of Amsterdam.
His clinical work entails surgical and medical treatment. In parallel his research focuses on unmet needs in rare gynecological cancers.
He co-founded the Network for Individualised Treatment of Endometrial Cancer (ENITEC) in 2011 and established the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) in 2005. In 2021, he further strengthened international collaboration by founding the Advisory Board on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (ABCIP) a virtual, on-demand multidisciplinary tumor board.
About Dr. Ramirez
Dr. Pedro T. Ramirez is Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Houston Methodist Hospital. He completed his residency training at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. He then completed a Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. After completion he remained on faculty there for 25 years.
Dr. Ramirez is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. He has published over 300 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
He was made member of the IDEAL Council at Oxford University in England. In this role, he collaborates with leaders in the field of surgical research on developing strategies to integrate innovative surgical tools to the standard of care practice in patients with gynecological cancers.
Dr. Ramirez is the recipient of the David M. Gershenson Distinguished Professor in Ovarian Cancer Research Endowment and of the Randall Prize for Excellence in Cancer Treatment.
ESGO Helga Salvesen Awards Recepients 2017-2024
In 2017, the ESGO Council initiated the biennial Translational Research Award in the loving memory of Helga Salvesen for a significant contribution to translational research in gynaecological oncology.
The first Helga Salvesen Award was assigned at the ESGO 2017 Congress in Vienna to recognise a European specialist and international collaborator, who contributed significantly to the improvement of treatment and care of women with gynaecological cancers, through a lifetime commitment to translational research.
Past Recipients:
- 2017 – Prof. Tjalling Bosse, The Netherlands
- 2019 – Prof. George Coukos, Greece
- 2022 – Prof. Iain McNeish, United Kingdom
- 2024 – Prof. Xavier Matias Guiu-Guia, Spain