April 02, 2026
Jesus Gonzalez Lugo, MD, assistant professor of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, has been named to the fifth cohort of the Robert A. Winn Career Development Award, a national program that prepares clinicians to lead community-centered clinical research. Dr. Lugo is one of 79 physicians selected from across the country and is funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.
The Winn Development Award is part of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program, which works to ensure that clinical research includes and benefits patients from every community and helps bring the latest medical advances to people who often face barriers to participating in clinical studies. Each scholar receives an award that provides protected time to advance research, strengthen community partnerships and expand access to clinical trials
Dr. Lugo brings deep expertise in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and leukemia and serves as principal investigator for multiple clinical studies in higher‑risk MDS and acute myeloid leukemia. He has been recognized with several national honors, including the ASH Abstract Achievement Award, the Society of Hematologic Oncology Young Investigator Award and the European Hematology Association Young Investigator Travel Grant.
“I am honored to be selected for the Winn Career Development Award,” Dr. Lugo said. “The support allows me to build stronger relationships with the communities we serve and design clinical trials that reflect their needs. My goal is to make sure every patient has a fair chance to benefit from the latest advances in cancer care.”
“Being selected for the Winn Career Development Award is a significant achievement, and we are proud that Dr. Lugo will represent The University of Kansas Cancer Center in this national cohort,” said Roy Jensen, MD, vice chancellor and director of the cancer center. “His work advances our commitment to ensuring that every patient can benefit from the latest breakthroughs in cancer research.”