{"id":514257,"date":"2026-05-28T12:32:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T10:32:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unipi.it\/news\/medico-specializzando-unipi-delluniversita-di-pisa-vince-il-merit-award\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T11:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T09:00:05","slug":"university-of-pisa-resident-doctor-wins-the-merit-award","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.unipi.it\/en\/news\/university-of-pisa-resident-doctor-wins-the-merit-award\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Pisa resident doctor wins the Merit Award"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paolo Cirac\u00ec, a final-year resident doctor in Medical Oncology at the University of Pisa and currently a Research Fellow at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute in Barcelona, has been awarded the Merit Award<\/strong> of the<\/strong> American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)<\/strong>. It will be presented during the association\u2019s annual meeting, taking place in Chicago from 29 May to 3 June<\/strong>, the world\u2019s leading event dedicated to oncology.<\/p>\n

Cirac\u00ec, 31, was recognised for a study on the application of artificial intelligence in oncology<\/strong>. The aim was to identify biomarkers capable of predicting the effectiveness of intensified chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer<\/strong>. The research, which produced encouraging results, was carried out through a collaboration between the University of Pisa, the GONO-GI Foundation<\/strong> and VALAR Labs<\/strong>, a start-up founded by researchers at Stanford University. The project also involved the Pathology Unit 3 of the Pisa University Hospital (AOUP), directed by Professor Clara Ugolini<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Paolo Cirac\u00ec<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Merit Award is presented each year to early-career physicians and researchers who distinguish themselves through the outstanding scientific value of their work. Cirac\u00ec is one of only two Italian recipients in the 2026 edition. The University of Pisa\u2019s colorectal cancer research group, led by Professor Chiara Cremolini<\/strong>, Full Professor of Medical Oncology and Director of the Specialisation School, has a long tradition of participation in ASCO and Merit Award success.<\/p>\n

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Research team led by Professor Cremolini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cMy clinical and research activity is mainly dedicated to gastrointestinal oncology, with a particular focus on precision medicine in metastatic colorectal cancer. From the earliest years of my training, I oriented my career towards translational oncology. A fundamental role in my professional and scientific development was played by Professor Chiara Cremolini. Under her supervision, I had the opportunity to train in an environment characterised by great methodological and scientific rigour, conducting academic clinical studies together with my colleagues throughout Italy,\u201d says Paolo Cirac\u00ec.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking ahead, after completing my specialist training, I would like to continue my research career,\u201d Cirac\u00ec concludes, \u201cwith the aim of contributing to the development of increasingly effective and personalised treatment strategies for cancer patients.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The recognition was granted for an innovative study on predictive biomarkers in metastatic colorectal cancer and will be conferred during the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":513690,"menu_order":3,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"tag-notizie-persone":[],"tags_news":[1233,2066],"categorie":[159],"class_list":["post-514257","news","type-news","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tags_news-awards","tags_news-department-of-surgical-medic-molecular-and-critical-area-pathology","categorie-unipinews-en"],"yoast_head":"\nUniversity of Pisa resident doctor wins the Merit Award ~ UNIPI<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unipi.it\/en\/news\/university-of-pisa-resident-doctor-wins-the-merit-award\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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