By the European Association for Cancer Research
We are pleased to announce that Marta Kovatcheva has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 EACR-Mark Foundation-Pezcoller Foundation Rising Star Award. Established in 2023, this prestigious award recognises one outstanding cancer researcher annually and aims to support pioneering projects that can have a transformative impact on the field.
Marta Kovatcheva, Group Leader at the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology in Italy, was selected for her innovative research proposal on ‘Controlling epithelial cell plasticity during tissue regeneration using one-carbon metabolism’. She was chosen as the winner following a thorough evaluation by an independent review panel, with members from the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, and the Pezcoller Foundation.
The EACR-Mark Foundation-Pezcoller Foundation Rising Star Award 2025 was open to EACR members with an unfunded Score ‘A’ cancer-related project from the 2024 ERC Starting Grant calls. The award grants the recipient up to €100,000 in funding to commence their project, with an additional 10% allocated for institutional overheads. The intention behind this award is to facilitate the advancement of exceptional cancer research by bridging the period before resubmission to the ERC.
Marta will formally accept the award and present her work at the EACR 2025 Congress (Lisbon, Portugal, 16-19 June 2025). This gathering of leading scientists and researchers from around the world offers a platform to exchange knowledge, foster collaborations, and inspire new breakthroughs in cancer research.
Click here to read more about the 2025 award winner.
About the EACR
The European Association for Cancer Research, a registered charity, is a global community for those working and studying in cancer research.
About the Mark Foundation
The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research is a philanthropic organisation committed to accelerating cancer research and translating discoveries into improved patient care.
About the Pezcoller Foundation
The Pezcoller Foundation promotes and supports scientific research in oncology and recognises outstanding contributions to the field.