Renowned UCSF gastrointestinal cancer specialist will assume role in early 2025.
Katherine Van Loon, MD, MPH, has been appointed as the next editor-in-chief of JCO Global Oncology (JCO GO), an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) journal. JCO GO is an online only open access journal focusing on cancer research, care and delivery in low-resource countries and settings. The journal aims to address the challenges faced by health care professionals in these regions by providing a platform for high-quality, relevant content. Van Loon will begin serving as editor-in-chief of JCO GO on Feb. 1, 2025.
"Dr. Van Loon's experience, skills and passion for reducing global disparities in cancer care make her the ideal leader to build on JCO Global Oncology’s strong foundation,” said ASCO Chief Executive Officer Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO. “She will be instrumental in helping us all better understand and address the unique challenges faced by health care professionals providing cancer care in under-resourced areas. We are excited by the opportunities to amplify ASCO's mission to conquer cancer worldwide."
Van Loon is a gastrointestinal oncologist, UCSF professor of Medicine and director of the Global Cancer Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Van Loon oversees UCSF’s portfolio of research, capacity-building projects in low and middle-income countries and educational programs in global oncology. Her research focuses on the distribution of gastrointestinal cancers, both in the U.S. and around the globe, with the aim of enhancing clinical outcomes and minimizing disparities among populations facing health disparities.
“It is both an honor and tremendous privilege to steward JCO Global Oncology at a time when the focus on the global burden of cancer is rapidly intensifying. ASCO and our international members have a tremendous opportunity to work collectively to reduce disparities in global cancer outcomes, and I expect we will see tremendous progress over the next decade,” said Van Loon. “As this field continues to accelerate, it will be imperative that the journal is able to keep pace and disseminate lessons learned from around the world for maximal impact.”
Van Loon joined the UCSF faculty in 2012, after completing her oncology fellowship there. She earned a Master of Public Health from Yale School of Public Health prior to pursuing her studies at Medical College of Georgia. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.Van Loon is a member of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) and founding member of the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium (AfrECC). Dedicated to promoting women in global health leadership, she is an alumna of the 2021 WomenLift Health Leadership Journey. She has been the recipient of numerous mentorship awards for her efforts to develop resources for research training and mentorship for early career investigators with interests in global cancer control. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 journal articles.
“As editor-in-chief, my primary objective will be to amplify the voices of those on the front lines of global cancer care and research." said Van Loon. " I aim to reduce structural barriers to publication, with the goal of promoting a broader and more inclusive forum for knowledge exchange for cancer researchers and practitioners across the world.”
About ASCO and JCO Journals
ASCO's journals, including Journal of Clinical Oncology, offer credible, authoritative resources for peer-reviewed clinical oncology research that informs high-quality patient care worldwide. These journals are supported by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®). Founded in 1964, ASCO is committed to the principle that knowledge conquers cancer. Together with the Association for Clinical Oncology, ASCO represents more than 50,000 oncology professionals who care for people living with cancer. Through research, education, and promotion of high quality, equitable patient care, ASCO works to conquer cancer and create a world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy. Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, supports ASCO by funding groundbreaking research and education across cancer’s full continuum. Learn more at www.ASCO.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Explore the research and learn about becoming an author at www.ascopubs.org.
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