For many scientists, the first glimpse of a DNA sequence—those colored peaks marking A, T, C, and G—sparked a lifelong fascination with the code that shapes us all. That same spirit of discovery drives this year’s recipients of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Professional Awards. Honored for their groundbreaking research, leadership, and mentorship, the 2025 awardees reflect the innovation and collaboration that define modern human genetics.
“This year’s awardees exemplify the highest standards of leadership, innovation, service, and mentorship,” said ASHG president, Sarah Tishkoff, PhD. “I am honored to recognize their visionary contributions and tireless efforts that continue to unite and advance the biomedical community. These seven remarkable individuals inspire us to expand the boundaries of what’s possible in human genetics and genomics research. Congratulations to each of you on this well-deserved honor.”
The award ceremonies will be held at the ASHG 2025 annual meeting, from October 14-18 in Boston, MA. Each of this year’s honorees is profiled below.
ASHG Lifetime Achievement Award Harry (Hal) Dietz, MD
The ASHG Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes substantial and far-reaching scientific contributions to human genetics. Dietz is the Victor A. McKusick professor of Pediatrics, Medicine and Genetics in the Department of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dietz is recognized for his work on Marfan Syndrome and related connective tissue disorders. Through his research, he has identified the genes for multiple syndromic presentations of vascular connective tissue disorders including Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome. His group has directly implicated targetable alterations in cellular signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm, which revealed entirely new and unanticipated strategies for therapeutic interventions that were validated by clinical trials, are in widespread clinical use, and redefined the field. Beyond his personal scientific achievements, Dietz is a dedicated mentor and has trained more than 75 pre- and post-doctoral scholars.
ASHG Leadership Award
Eric Green, MD, PhD
The ASHG Leadership Award recognizes leadership and vision in advancing the ASHG mission through promotion of genetics and genomics knowledge into the broader scientific and clinical communities. From his integral work on the Human Genome Project to his role as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, for more than 15 years, Green has been steadfast in his commitment to advancing human genetics and genomics, implementing genomic medicine, and fostering the next generation of researchers and physician scientists. As NHGRI director, Green guided a major expansion of the institute’s research portfolio and enhanced collaborations across NIH and among other research funders and institutions worldwide.
ASHG Scientific Achievement Award Mike Talkowski, PhD
The ASHG Scientific Achievement Award recognizes genetics and genomics researchers who have made significant scientific contributions during the past decade. Talkowski is the director of the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Institute Member at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Boston. Talkowski is recognized for his pioneering contributions to the fields of cytogenetics, genomics, and genomic medicine. His impact has included leadership in global consortia investigating genomic variation and its influence in human diseases such as gnomAD, the Autism Sequencing Consortium, the International Fetal Genomics Consortium, and the All of Us research program, and the development of innovative methods and technologies such as the discovery of complex structural variation in human populations and non-invasive fetal sequencing.
ASHG Early Career Award
Elizabeth Bhoj, MD, PhD
The ASHG Early Career Award recognizes early career independent investigators whose work has had a significant impact on the field of human genetics. Bhoj is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, in the Division of Human Genetics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in Philadelphia. Bhoj is recognized for her extensive work in translational genetics to improve the diagnosis and treatment of novel human syndromes, to ultimately provide families with answers about their child’s medical issues. Additionally, she works closely with patients internationally to assess genetic syndromes, mentor students, and teach physicians to increase local capacity for research and to recognize rare disorders.
ASHG Advocacy Award
Anthony Wynshaw-Boris, MD, PhD
The ASHG Advocacy Award honors excellence and achievement in promoting the science of human genetics and its application to the common good. Wynshaw-Boris holds the position of James H. Jewell, MD ‘34 professor of Genetics in the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. As chair of the ASHG Government & Public Advocacy Committee (GPAC) and President of ASHG in 2020, Wynshaw-Boris has guided and championed the advocacy efforts of ASHG and the broader biomedical research community. He leads by high example through his work with congressional representatives, local media, and other science organizations, including the Coalition for Life Sciences for which he is the ASHG liaison.
ASHG Education Award Audrey Hendricks, PhD
The ASHG Education Award recognizes outstanding contributions to human genetics education. Hendricks is an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, Colorado with additional appointments in the Department of Biostatistics and Informatics and the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. She is recognized for her work to support students of all backgrounds in their human genetics and genomics education. Hendricks is the founder and co-director of two training programs which encourage students to learn the principles of genetics and begin their careers in academia or industry. She is also co-founder of the five-year degree program which leads to a BS in Mathematics and an MS in Statistics at University of Colorado, Denver. Throughout her career, she has taught more than 20 courses as the sole instructor and mentored dozens of undergraduates, post-graduates or junior faculty.
ASHG Mentorship Award
Carole Ober, PhD
The ASHG Mentorship Award recognizes ASHG members who have shown a sustained pattern of exemplary mentorship at the graduate student, postdoctoral, residency, or fellowship level. Ober is the chair of the Department of Human Genetics and Blum-Riese Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago in Chicago. She is recognized for her mentorship of more than 100 students ranging from undergraduates to postdoctoral trainees, many of whom have gone on to hold faculty positions and key roles in biotech, diagnostics, and government and continue to advance the field of human genetics and genomics. She has dedicated more than 40 years to investigating the mechanisms through which genetic variants impact asthma risk and fertility traits.
