ASHG 2021 Awards Presentations 

Since 1962, ASHG has honored outstanding achievements in the field through its annual awards. Each spring, ASHG members are invited to nominate their colleagues for these prestigious awards. These awards recognize individuals with a diverse background of experience, ideas, and perspectives for a variety of activities, including carrying out substantial research and far-reaching scientific contributions to the field, expanding human genetics education, promoting the science of human genetics and its application for the common good, and mentoring the next generation of human genetics and genomics professionals. ASHG is committed to improving diversity and inclusion in all its forms and encourages nominations of outstanding scientists who represent that breadth of background and experience.

ASHG is honored to share that the Gruber Genetics Prize was presented to Stuart Orkin, MD in conjunction with the ASHG 2021 Virtual Meeting. The prize was presented on October 7, 2021, and you may watch the event recording here.

Click here to view the 2020 ASHG Awards Presentations.

2021 William Allan Award

The William Allan Award was established in 1961 in memory of William Allan, who was one of the first American physicians to conduct extensive research in human genetics. The award recognizes substantial and far-reaching scientific contributions to human genetics, carried out over a sustained period of scientific inquiry and productivity.

Richard Gibbs, PhD, introduces the 2022 William Allan Award recipient, C. Thomas Caskey, MD. Dr. Caskey's talk begins at 4:14.

2021 McKusick Award

The Victor A. McKusick Leadership Award is presented on behalf of the Society to an individual whose professional achievements have fostered and enriched the development of various human genetics disciplines, exemplifying the enduring leadership and vision required to ensure that the field of human genetics will flourish and successfully assimilate into the broader context of science, medicine, and health. 

Robin Bennett, MS, CGC, introduces the 2021 Victor A. McKusick Leadership Award recipient, Wylie Burke, MD, PhD. Dr. Burke's talk begins at 5:06.

2021 Curt Stern Award

The Curt Stern Award honors the memory of Curt Stern as an outstanding pioneering human geneticist. This award is presented for remarkable scientific achievements in human genetics that have occurred during the last 10 years.

Stylianos Antonarakis, MD, introduces the 2021 ASHG Mentorship Award recipient, Emmanouil Dermitzakis, PhD. Dr. Dermitzakis' talk begins at 7:10.

2021 Advocacy Award

The Advocacy Award recognizes excellence and achievement in promoting the science of human genetics and its application for the common good.

Francis Collins, MD, PhD, and Diane Baker introduce the 2021 ASHG Advocacy Award recipient, Sharon Terry, MA. Sharon Terry's talk begins at 5:04.

2021 Motulsky-Childs Education Award

The Arno Motulsky-Barton Childs Award for Excellence in Human Genetics Education
 recognizes outstanding contributions to human genetics education.

Chris Gunter, PhD, introduces the 2021 ASHG Education Award recipient, Neil Lamb, PhD. Dr. Lamb’s talk begins at 2:21.

2021 Mentorship Award

The Mentorship Award is presented on behalf of the Society to individuals who have significant records of accomplishment as mentors.


Simon Carlo, MD, introduces the 2021 ASHG Mentorship Award recipient, Alberto Santiago Cornier, MD, PhD. Dr. Cornier's talk begins at 2:20.

2021 Early Career Award

The Early-Career Award recognizes scientists who are in the early stages of their careers as independent investigators.

Michael Boehnke, PhD, introduces the 2021 Early Career Award recipient, Cristen Willer, PhD. Dr. Willer's talk begins at 2:18.