Clarissa Baldotto
Clarissa Baldotto, MD, MSc, PhD, is a dedicated thoracic medical oncologist from Brazil, recognized for her commitment to clinical research, education, and leadership in oncology. Dr. Baldotto’s academic journey began at Universidade Federal Fluminense, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD). She then pursued a specialization in Internal Medicine followed by a residency in Medical Oncology at the Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), one of Brazil’s leading cancer institutions. Her passion for research and education led her to complete a Master’s in Oncology at INCA and a PhD in Medical Sciences at Instituto D’Or for Research and Education, focusing on lung cancer, both under the mentorship of Dr. Carlos Gil Ferreira.
She currently serves as Medical Director of Oncology Integrated Care at Rede D’Or. She is also a permanent professor in the Doctorate Program at Instituto D’Or for Research and Education (ID’Or), where she coordinates the Oncology Residence program, mentors young oncologists, and fosters new research initiatives. Rede D’Or is the most extensive hospital network in Brazil.
Beyond academia, Dr. Baldotto plays an active role in oncology leadership. She is President-Elect of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC) and former President of the Brazilian School of Oncology, having previously served as President of the Brazilian Group of Thoracic Oncology (GBOT) and reinforcing her influence in shaping policies that support oncology professionals. Internationally, she is an active member of IASLC’s Education Committee and chairs the Webinars Subcommittee, working to expand global access to lung cancer education.
A respected researcher and speaker at oncology meetings across Latin America and beyond, Dr. Baldotto is committed to bridging clinical research, education, and oncology advocacy to drive meaningful advancements in the field.
Ticiana Leal
Ticiana Leal, MD, is an associate professor and serves as director of the Thoracic Oncology Program in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine and is Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Office at the Winship Cancer Institute. She is Vice-President/President-Elect of GASCO (Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology). Board-certified in medical oncology, Dr. Leal specializes in caring for patients with lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymic malignancies at Winship Cancer Institute. Dr. Leal’s clinical research focuses on clinical trials of novel therapies and combinations to treat lung cancers. Dr. Leal has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed original research articles, book chapters, and posters.
Lucia Viola
Dr. Lucia Viola is affiliated with the Fundación Neumológica Colombiana and the Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo Cancer Treatment and Research Center in Bogotá, Colombia. She earned her medical degree from Universidad del Sinú in Cartagena, followed by postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Pulmonology at Universidad de La Sabana in Chía, Colombia.
Over the past five years, Dr. Viola has specialized in interventional pulmonology with a focus on lung cancer patients, continuously updating her skills to incorporate the latest advancements in invasive diagnostic and staging techniques for thoracic malignancies.
Her primary areas of interest include the early diagnosis of lung cancer, the development and implementation of early detection programs— particularly in low- and middle-income countries and among non-smokers—and the establishment of pulmonary nodule clinics aimed at improving early detection outcomes. She currently leads her institution’s early detection program, which began enrolling candidates several years ago.
Dr. Viola actively contributes to local, regional, and international medical journals. She serves as Director of the Latin American Thoracic Association and is a committed member of the Screening & Early Detection Committee.
In addition, she is the Track Co-Chair for the “Multidisciplinary Care: Nursing, Allied Health, and Palliative Care” track at the IASLC 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC25) and recently served as Co-Chair of the Latin American Conference on Lung Cancer (LALCA 2024).