Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPHSmita Bhatia, M.D., MPH, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, has been named the recipient of the 2025 American Cancer Society (ACS) Professor Award. This award is the most prestigious grant made by ACS and recognizes professors who have made seminal, high-impact contributions to cancer research across a wide range of disciplines, including fundamental, clinical, psychosocial, behavioral, health policy, and epidemiologic fields. It provides $400,000 in funding for five years and can be extended for another five years.

Bhatia joined UAB in 2015, when she established the Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship. She currently serves as the institute’s director. Additionally, she is the Gay and Bew White Endowed Professor in Pediatric Oncology and acts as vice-chair of outcomes for the Department of Pediatrics.

With over 500 peer-reviewed publications and continuous funding from NCI and LLS since 2000, Bhatia is an internationally renowned leader in cancer outcomes and survivorship. She serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Senior Editor for Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. She is also an elected member of American Society for Clinical Investigation and Association of American Physicians. She has been awarded the Frank H. Oski Lectureship Award from the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, the Clinical Scholar Award from Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Outstanding Investigator Award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Cancer Prevention Award from American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/ACS. She was the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Professor award from UAB. Her service has included membership on the Executive Committee for the Children’s Oncology Group and the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, and the Board of Directors of ASCO and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. She was appointed as member of the NCI National Cancer Policy Forum, and NCI Clinical Trials Advisory Committee. She plans to continue her work in understanding the mechanisms underlying the significant morbidity borne by cancer survivors and to develop strategies to mitigate these morbidities. She is also passionate about mentoring junior investigators. Additionally, she was the recipient of the 2020 Dean’s Excellence Award in Mentoring.

“I am deeply honored to be selected as the recipient of the 2025 ACS Professor Award,” said Bhatia. “This recognition allows me to redouble my energies improving the outcomes for our cancer survivors.”

The ACS is one of the leading cancer-fighting organizations. It seeks to fight cancer by raising awareness, furthering research, and helping to improve the lives of patients and their families. Get more information on the ACS by visiting their website.