New award recognizes rising leaders shaping the future of hepatology through innovation, leadership, and service.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — August 13, 2026 — The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) is proud to announce the inaugural recipients of the AASLD Impact Award, a new professional recognition award celebrating mid-career members who are making significant contributions today while demonstrating exceptional potential for future leadership in AASLD and the field of hepatology.
Created to address a gap in professional recognition, the AASLD Impact Award honors individuals advancing research, clinical care, education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation in liver disease and helping shape the future of hepatology.
"The AASLD Impact Award reflects our commitment to recognizing emerging leaders whose dedication and accomplishments are strengthening our field today while inspiring the next generation," said AASLD President Saul J. Karpen, MD, PhD, FAASLD. "These inaugural recipients exemplify excellence, innovation, and service, and we are thrilled to celebrate their contributions."
The inaugural 2026 AASLD Impact Award recipients are:
- Lily Dara, MD University of Southern California
- Jennifer Lai, MD, MBA University of California, San Francisco
- Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHSc, FAASLD Houston Methodist Hospital
- Bernd Schnabl, MD, FAASLD University of California, San Diego
- Elliot Tapper, MD, FAASLD University of Michigan Medical Center
Recipients were selected for their outstanding achievements and sustained impact across multiple areas of hepatology, including scientific discovery, patient care, education, mentorship, and leadership within AASLD and the broader liver community.
The AASLD Impact Award is open to eligible mid-career AASLD members. Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague, recognizing the diverse ways members contribute to advancing liver disease research, education, and patient care.
To learn more about the AASLD Impact Award recipients, click here.
SAVE THE DATE! The inaugural AASLD Impact Award recipients will be recognized and celebrated at the Awards & Honors Gala during The Liver Meeting® (TLM) in Denver, Colorado, on Saturday, Nov. 7. To register for TLM26, click here.