Meet the innovators shaping the future of hematology
The touchHEMATOLOGY Future Leaders 2026 have been nominated by the hematology community to recognize the rising stars shaping the future of malignant and non-malignant blood-related disorders. These clinicians, researchers and innovators are driving progress across the specialty; from advancing clinical practice to challenging convention and improving patient outcomes.
Discover the individuals set to redefine hematology care in the years ahead.
Meet our Future Leaders and learn their stories.
Carlos Flores Angulo
Hematologist and Cancer Epidemiology Researcher, Santiago, Chile • Venezuela
Epidemiology
Every statistic represents a person who experienced symptoms, uncertainty, waiting times and difficult decisions
→ Read more about Dr Carlos Flores Angulo on bridging precision public health and epidemiology
Franziska Auer
Technical University of Munich, Germany
Pediatric inherited leukemia
Young researchers have an important voice, and it’s essential that we create opportunities to showcase their work
→ Read more about Dr Franziska Auer on uncovering inherited cancer risk in pediatric leukemia research
Jon Salmanton-García
University of Cologne, Germany
Infection
Resilience is essential because science rarely goes exactly as planned
→ Read more about Dr Jon Salmanton-García on advancing management of infections patients with hematological malignancies
Mustafa Güven
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Turkey
Cellular therapies • Translational medicine
Some of the best opportunities in my career began with a simple email or message
→ Read more about Dr Mustafa Güven on embracing opportunity, scientific curiosity and learning through every patient
Eiko Hayase
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA • Japan
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation • Microbiome
Science is not always as easy as we expect, but it is full of opportunities that make it exciting and rewarding
→ Read more about Dr Eiko Hayase on how the microbiome can improve outcomes after stem cell transplantation
Andrés Gómez De León
University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Leukemia
There is something almost magical about the transplant journey – it creates a bond between patients, families and the medical team that is never broken
→ Read more about Dr Andrés Gómez De León on finding purpose, passion and enthusiasm in hematology
Eleni Linskens
University Hospital of Brussels, Belgium
Molecular hemato-oncology • Diagnostic innovation
I hope I can pass on the same spark, passion and enthusiasm for the hematology laboratory that my mentors gave to me
→ Read more about Dr Eleni Linskens on advancing molecular diagnostics and laboratory hematology
Sofia Matsibokh
Kyiv City Clinical Hospital, Kyiv, Ukraine
Bone marrow transplantation
Medicine is not simply about diseases – it is about people living with fear, hope, uncertainty and extraordinary resilience. The most rewarding moments are seeing a patient who was critically ill begin making plans for the future again.
→ Read more about Dr Sofia Matsibokh on courageous decision-making and compassionate hematology
Bruno Paiva
Universidad de Navarra, Spain
Multiple myeloma • Flow cytometry
Some ambitions take decades to achieve, which is why we must train the next generation to carry the torch
→ Read more about Dr Bruno Paiva on mentorship, teamwork and transforming myeloma care
Natasha Szuber
Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, Québec, Canada
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Scientific curiosity begins with questioning and re-questioning existing practices and paradigms. The value of asking the right questions is one of the greatest lessons my mentors taught me… Find your niche, discover what you do best and fully lean into it.
→ Read more about Dr Natasha Szuber on finding your niche, embracing curiosity, and advancing MPN research
Dane Thomas
Texas Oncology • USA
Patient education • genetic counseling • symptom management
Combining scientific expertise with empathy allows patients to feel informed, supported, and confident in their care
→ Read more about Dane Thomas on curiosity, compassion, and patient-centered hematology
Andrea Visentin
University of Padua, Italy
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia • Hodgkin lymphoma
Seeing a young woman go from hospice referral to complete remission is something I will never forget
→ Read more about Dr Andrea Visentin on transforming outcomes through personalized hematology
Congratulations to our Future Leaders 2026!
More from touchHEMATOLOGY Future Leaders
→ Look back at our touchHEMATOLOGY Future Leaders 2025
→ Meet the touchONCOLOGY Future Leaders 2026
→ A year in review: Expert voices on the developments that defined 2025
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