April 2025, Atlanta, GA, Emory University has named Dr. Suresh S. Ramalingam, Executive Director of Winship Cancer Institute and a globally respected lung cancer researcher, the 2025 Albert E. Levy Award for Excellence in Scientific Research recipient.
This prestigious honor is awarded annually to one senior and one junior faculty member for outstanding contributions to scientific research.
It includes a trophy and a $2,000 contribution to the recipient’s research fund.Dr. Ramalingam, who also holds the Roberto C. Goizueta Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research, serves as a professor of hematology and medical oncology at Emory University School of Medicine.
He has garnered national and international recognition for pioneering work that has transformed the treatment landscape for lung cancer patients, particularly through the development and clinical implementation of third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, most notably Osimertinib.
His leadership in landmark clinical trials, such as FLAURA and LAURA, has changed the standard of care for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.
The LAURA trial, in particular, was groundbreaking: it demonstrated a median progression-free survival of 39.1 months in patients with unresectable stage III EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, compared to just 5.6 months with placebo.
These results have led to multiple FDA approvals and represent one of the most significant advances in thoracic oncology in recent years.
Beyond his clinical achievements, Dr. Ramalingam’s research has deepened the scientific community’s understanding of cancer biology, especially mechanisms of therapeutic resistance.
His work has informed new combination therapies and the identification of emerging molecular targets, guiding the future of personalized oncology care.
With over 340 peer-reviewed publications, more than 34,000 citations, and an h-index of 82, Dr. Ramalingam’s scholarly output speaks volumes about his impact on cancer research and treatment.
His numerous honors include the Distinguished Cancer Scholar Award, the Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award from the National Cancer Institute, and the Paul Bunn Award for Scientific Merit.
He has also played a pivotal role in advancing cancer research infrastructure. Under his leadership, Emory launched its first Lung Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE), funded by the NIH, and has significantly elevated the global profile of the Winship Cancer Institute in translational research.
In addition to his research leadership, he has served in more than 50 national roles, including as Chair of the Thoracic Malignancies Committee at ECOG-ACRIN, Chair of the Professional Development Committee at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Editor-in-Chief of Cancer.
Dr. Ramalingam’s educational journey began in Chennai, India, where he earned his MBBS from Kilpauk Medical College.
He went on to complete his residency and internship in internal medicine at Wayne State University, followed by a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Board certified in medical oncology, his career has since been defined by an unwavering commitment to advancing cancer care and mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists.
The Levy Award, established by Edith Levy Elsas in memory of her father, Albert E. Levy, was initially administered by Emory’s Sigma Xi chapter and reinstated in 2000.
It continues to highlight outstanding research across scientific disciplines and honors faculty members whose work propels Emory’s mission of innovation, discovery, and impact.
As Emory University celebrates Dr. Ramalingam’s extraordinary accomplishments, his visionary approach to cancer treatment and dedication to academic excellence stand as a testament to the transformative power of research in improving human health.
