Global Lung Cancer Experts Selected to Lead IASLC’s 2027 World Conference

(Denver, CO. December 16, 2025) – The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) names four globally recognized thoracic oncology experts to co-chair the 2027 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), to be held in Denver, Colorado, United States of America, from September 11 – 14, 2027.

WCLC is the world’s largest international and multidisciplinary conference on lung cancer and thoracic malignancies, drawing attendees from more than 100 countries to discuss the latest scientific discoveries and clinical advances and examine their impact on daily practice. IASLC selects co-chairs to reflect the organization’s commitment to multidisciplinary science, global representation, and diverse thought leadership from the country/region where the conference is held.

The 2027 WCLC Co-Chairs are:

• Sanja Dacic, MD, PhD, Yale School of Medicine
• Daniel R. Gomez, MD, MBA, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• John V. Heymach, MD, PhD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Sara Najmeh, MD, McGill University

Sanja Dacic, MD, PhD Yale School of Medicine

Dr. Sanja Dacic is Professor of Pathology, Vice Chair and Director of Anatomic Pathology, and Director of Thoracic Pathology at Yale School of Medicine. A global leader in diagnostic pulmonary and molecular pathology, Dr. Dacic has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and contributed significantly to the WHO Classification of Thoracic Tumors. A past President of the Pulmonary Pathology Society, she has served on the IASLC Pathology Committee since 2010, including as Chair from 2023–2025, and received the 2025 Mary J. Matthews Pathology/Translational Research Award. She has contributed to the IASLC WCLC for more than a decade as an invited faculty member, program committee member, and abstract reviewer.

Daniel R. Gomez, MD, MBA, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Dr. Daniel R. Gomez is Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations in Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. As leading investigator in thoracic malignancies, Dr. Gomez has conducted landmark clinical and translational research in early-stage , locally advanced , and, oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as mesothelioma, and thymoma. His landmark randomized trial in oligometastatic NSCLC reshaped global understanding of local therapy in metastatic disease. With nearly 300 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Gomez has been an active contributor to IASLC programs and committees, including serving as Chair of the Global Multidisciplinary Standards Committee and Co-Chair of the 2026 WCLC Metastatic NSCLC – Local Therapies Track.

John V. Heymach, MD, PhD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. John V. Heymach is Chair and Professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center and holds the Ruth Legett Jones Distinguished Chair. An internationally recognized physician-scientist, Dr. Heymach’s pioneering work has defined mechanisms of drug resistance, identified new therapeutic targets, and shaped several global standards of care for targeted therapy and immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). His discoveries include critical insights into KRAS-mutant, EGFR exon 20 insertion, and HER2-driven lung cancers, as well as advances in multimodality immunotherapy for early-stage and oligometastatic disease. He has been widely honored for his contributions and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association of Physicians, and the American Society for Clinical Investigation. His contributions [GU1] to IASLC span more than two decades and include speaking at the 2023 Small Cell Lung Cancer Conference, poster presenter at the 2023 North American Conference on Lung Cancer, faculty member for the 2024 Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer Conference, 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer, 2024 Hot Topics on Lung Cancer Conference and 2025 Targeted Therapies Lung Cancer Conference.

Sara Najmeh, MD, McGill University

Dr. Sara Najmeh is a board-certified thoracic surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at McGill University in Montreal, where she specializes in thoracic surgical oncology. She completed cardiothoracic surgery training at Duke University and now focuses on complex resections, circulatory support procedures, and surgical management following neoadjuvant therapy. Dr. Najmeh leads the patient outcomes research team within her division and is actively involved in advancing clinical evidence on thoracic cancer surgery, perioperative strategies, and multidisciplinary care models. Dr. Najmeh is a recent IASLC member and is already actively engaged, having served in a faculty role for the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer.

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About the IASLC

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer is the only global, multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the eradication of thoracic malignancy in the 21st century. The IASLC supports and advances research through its publications, including the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO) and JTO Clinical and Research Reports (JTO-CRR). In addition to the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), the organization convenes topic-specific and regional conferences worldwide, along with numerous educational events and research initiatives.

IASLC members represent a wide spectrum of specialties, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; radiologists; pathologists; pulmonologists; basic scientists; nurses; patient advocates; and caregivers.

To learn more, visit www.iaslc.org