ASCI Honors Early-Career Physician-Scientists

WashU Medicine faculty members recognized for research achievements

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:11am

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Two WashU Medicine faculty members, Siyan "Stewart" Cao, MD, PhD, and Mary M. Mullen, MD, have received the Young Physician-Scientist Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). The honor recognizes 50 early-career physician-scientists nationwide who have achieved accolades in their research.

Why it matters

The ASCI award supports the development and leadership of promising young physician-scientists, providing them with valuable networking and career-enhancing opportunities through the ASCI, Association of American Physicians, and American Physician Scientists Association.

The details

Cao is an assistant professor in gastroenterology, while Mullen is an assistant professor in gynecologic oncology at WashU Medicine. The annual ASCI award offers the honorees leadership workshops, panel discussions with ASCI members, virtual poster sessions, and other activities to further their careers.

  • The physician-scientists will be recognized in April at the associations' joint annual meeting in Chicago.

The players

Siyan "Stewart" Cao

An assistant professor in gastroenterology at WashU Medicine.

Mary M. Mullen

An assistant professor in gynecologic oncology at WashU Medicine.

American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI)

A national organization that honors early-career physician-scientists for their research achievements.

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The takeaway

The ASCI award highlights the important contributions of young physician-scientists like Cao and Mullen, who are driving medical research and innovation forward at academic institutions like WashU Medicine.