Leading from the start: The impact of the ISTH SSC and its Early Career Co-Chairs
The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Scientific and Standardization Committee (SSC) is a driving force in advancing research, setting clinical guidelines and fostering collaboration in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis.
The SSC is a permanent committee of the ISTH, serving as its scientific working arm. It is comprised of 21 subcommittees in addition to one working group, two standing committees and the executive committee. Among its many activities, the SSC promotes cooperation among leading international scientists and conducts projects that generate reliable and standardized clinical and basic science tools.
Early Career Co-Chairs
Each SSC subcommittee has a designated Chair, as well as an Early Career Co-Chair. These emerging leaders play a pivotal role in the success of the SSC—contributing fresh perspectives, leading innovative projects and strengthening global research networks.
“The ISTH SSC thrives on collaboration and fresh perspectives, and Early Career Co-Chairs play a crucial role in shaping its future,” said Kathleen Freson, Chair of the SSC Executive Committee. “By bringing new ideas, energy and innovation, they help drive progress in thrombosis and hemostasis while developing the leadership skills that will guide the next generation of experts."
For this article, the ISTH interviewed four SSC Early Career Co-Chairs to explore their experiences, motivations and contributions to the SSC's work.
- Gael Morrow, Ph.D., Subcommittee on Fibrinolysis
Career Development Fellow and Chancellor’s Fellow, Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom
- Dino Mehic, M.D., Ph.D., Subcommittee on Von Willebrand Factor
Medical Resident in Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology; Physician Scientist at the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Research Group Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna General Hospital, Austria
- Aaron F.J. Iding, M.D., Subcommittee on Predictive and Diagnostic Variables in Thrombotic Disease
Internal Medicine Resident and Ph.D. Candidate, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Cheryl L. Maier, M.D., Ph.D., Subcommittee on Perioperative and Critical Care Thrombosis and Hemostasis
Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Medical Director for the Special Coagulation Laboratory at Emory University School of Medicine (United States)
Bridging clinical practice and research
Mentorship and a strong commitment to advancing the field played key roles in each SSC Early Career Co-Chair’s path to involvement with the SSC. Coming from diverse professional backgrounds worldwide, each Co-Chair brings a wealth of expertise to their respective subcommittees.
Cheryl L. Maier was drawn to hemostasis and transfusion medicine due to its multidisciplinary nature and potential to influence patient care.
“Hemostasis can sometimes be off-putting to students initially, especially when they first see the biochemical complexity of the coagulation cascade,” Maier said. “But once you master the basics, it is an incredibly rewarding field that will forever challenge you.”
Gael Morrow has been an active participant in ISTH meetings since 2017 and was eager to take on a greater role within the Society.
“I joined the fibrinolysis SSC as a Co-Chair toward the end of 2023,” Morrow shared. “Having attended every ISTH conference since Berlin, I was motivated to contribute to the meetings that had been so valuable to me as both a delegate and speaker.”
Leadership within the SSC provides early career professionals with a platform to shape international research priorities. Meetings occur monthly, where Co-Chairs discuss initiatives, develop projects and prepare for the annual ISTH Congress.
Outside of structured meetings, each SSC subcommittee works in small teams to drive projects forward, contributing to guidelines, registries and research collaborations. Morrow shared that the roles and responsibilities vary throughout the year and depends on current projects.
“The workload really depends on what other projects the committee has running at the time,” she said. “The SSC on Fibrinolysis has recently received funding to start a new project to develop guidelines for the diagnosis of rare bleeding disorders caused by the impairment of fibrinolysis inhibitors, so there was a lot of activity getting that established. The chair of the SSC on Fibrinolysis SSC, Prof. Tetsumei Urano, keeps the group organized, which is really important.”
Collaborating on groundbreaking research
Early Career Co-Chairs play a crucial role in spearheading impactful projects. Maier is particularly excited about ongoing studies on fibrinolysis resistance and acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) management. The latter project, set to launch an international registry, aims to gather critical data to improve patient outcomes.
Austria’s Dino Mehic is working with the Subcommittee on Von Willebrand Factor to efforts establish international classification of diseases (ICD) coding for bleeding disorder of unknown cause (BDUC), ensuring proper recognition of this condition in clinical practice.
“We are also exploring new avenues related to aging in von Willebrand disease and how this intersects with BDUC, which I believe holds important implications for future research and clinical care,” Mehic shared.
Meanwhile, Iding is deeply involved in a major initiative on risk stratification in pulmonary embolism, aiming to refine evidence-based decision-making for clinicians worldwide. With his work on the Subcommittee for Predictive and Diagnostic Variables in Thrombotic Disease, they aim to provide evidence-based guidance on stratification tools for five key management decisions to help enhance clinical decision-making.
The transformative impact of the SSC
Beyond research, involvement in the SSC has had a profound impact on the Early Career Co-Chairs’ professional growth.
“My ISTH SSC subcommittee has been the most prolific professional committee I have ever been a part of, with proactive leadership and clearly defined projects, timelines and deliverables,” said Maier. “I appreciate the opportunity for collaboration with an expanded network across the globe on work that spans clinical, basic and translational research.”
Similarly, Iding emphasized that the SSC fosters an inclusive and supportive environment, welcoming early career professionals eager to contribute.
“Some early career professionals may hesitate to get involved, assuming they lack the necessary experience. However, the subcommittee is highly supportive, offering mentorship and opportunities for professional growth,” Iding said.
Despite their significant contributions, some misconceptions remain about the SSC’s role. Mehic notes that some may overlook or not know about the SSC’s year-round contributions to research and clinical practice, as well as the many publications in ISTH’s journals Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (JTH) and Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis (RPTH) among others.
Mehic encouraged more members to engage with SSC subcommittees as a means to collaborate, help innovate and advance shared scientific goals.
Iding agreed, stating, “Working alongside experienced researchers in our subcommittee has been highly inspiring, providing invaluable insights into how they identify critical research questions and the best methodology to answer them,” he said. “It has boosted my confidence in my own research and heightened my awareness of the gaps in clinical evidence and the need for standardized definitions in daily practice.
Stay curious and get involved
For aspiring early career professionals, all of the Early Career Co-Chairs offer similar valuable advice: Seek mentorship, stay curious and get involved.
The SSC is a dynamic, ever-evolving force—a global network driving innovation and advancing the frontiers of thrombosis and hemostasis research. The SSC provides the opportunity for leadership roles early in one’s career that can shape the future of the field, while also providing opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
“It is easy to be passionate about your work when you are working in translational research with excellent collaborators and witness the downstream effect on clinical practice and patient care,” Morrow said. “As a Co-Chair, it’s great to be involved in the development of the Congress program and have the opportunity to pitch your ideas.”
As the ISTH SSC continues to lead advancements in thrombosis and hemostasis, the contributions of Early Career Co-Chairs remain essential in shaping its future. Their dedication ensures that the field remains innovative, collaborative and impactful for years to come.
Do you have a story or perspective to share? We’d love to learn more. Share your thoughts with us by contacting Barbara Krolak at Barbara_Krolak@isth.org.