Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship Nominations Open August 1
Nominations for the 2026 Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship will open August 1 through Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The award recognizes women scientists in Texas bringing new ideas and innovations to the fight against cancer.
“Through this award, we have the opportunity to elevate groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research and ensure these voices are heard across Texas and beyond,” said Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship Committee Chair Helen Heslop, M.D., D.Sc. (NAM), Baylor College of Medicine. “I encourage the scientific community to nominate outstanding women making a difference in cancer research when nominations open on August 1st.”
The recipient will be recognized with a $5,000 honorarium and award and present their research at the TAMEST 2026 Annual Conference: Pioneering Climate Innovations, February 2–4, 2026, at the Kimpton Santo Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The award and lecture series was created in memory and honor of former TAMEST Executive Director Mary Beth Maddox, who passed away in 2018 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.
“This important award and lectureship not only celebrates the innovative work of women cancer researchers across Texas, but it also pays tribute to the remarkable legacy of Mary Beth Maddox and her passion for advancing science and supporting the next generation of leaders,” said Dr. Heslop.
The nominee must have spent the last two years performing cancer research in Texas and be within 10 years of her first faculty appointment or 15 years from her first full-time industry-affiliated position.
In addition to being honored at the conference, the recipient will promote their work and discoveries across the state at established lecture and seminar series at TAMEST member institutions with NIH National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Centers:
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine
- John H. Blaffer Lecture Series, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Grand Rounds, UT Health San Antonio
- Excellence in Immunology Seminar Series, UT Southwestern Medical Center (in partnership with Simmons Cancer Center)
The award covers the recipient’s travel and lodging for the lectures and includes organized visits and networking at the NCI Cancer Centers. A $1,000 stipend is also available to the recipient to provide childcare while traveling for the lecture series if needed.
Qualified nominators include TAMEST Members, university presidents, chancellors, deans, provosts, vice presidents for research, and past recipients of the Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship, Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards and Hill Prizes. Multiple nominations from a single institution or organization are allowed.
Visit tamest.org/mary-beth-maddox-award for more information on the nomination process and award eligibility.
