PHILIPPE LEFF | Health Professions | Lifetime Achievement Award

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Dr. PHILIPPE LEFF | Health Professions | Lifetime Achievement Award

Medico | INPer | Mexico

Dr. Philippe Leff Gelman is a distinguished medical scientist and neuroscientist from Mexico City with extensive expertise in neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, and clinical neuroscience, focusing on maternal mental health, addiction neurobiology, and perinatal neuroscience. Fluent in Spanish, English, and proficient in French, he earned his Medical Degree from UNAM, Mexico City, followed by a Master’s in Chemical Sciences (Biochemistry) at UNAM and a Doctorate in Medical Research from Instituto Politécnico Nacional, where he focused on biosynthetic precursors of endomorphin-like peptides. He completed postdoctoral studies in Cell Biology & Anatomy at the University of Miami and Behavioral Neuroscience at Boston University, training in neuronal protein synthesis and animal models of drug self-administration. Dr. Leff Gelman has held senior research positions at Instituto Nacional de Perinatología and Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, contributed to vaccine development for opioid addiction, and served as a visiting professor internationally. His research integrates neuroendocrine regulation, maternal behavior, neurodevelopment, and addiction neuroscience, bridging molecular, behavioral, and clinical approaches. He has received multiple national and international awards, reflecting his global impact, mentorship, and sustained scientific leadership.

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publication 

Dr. Leff Gelman has authored numerous influential publications in international peer-reviewed journals, contributing significantly to neuroendocrinology, perinatal mental health, and addiction neuroscience. Key works include:

Leff-Gelman, P., Pellón-Díaz, G., Camacho-Arroyo, I., Palomera-Garfias, N., & Flores-Ramos, M. Neuroendocrine regulation and neural circuitry of parenthood: Integrating neuropeptides, brain receptors, and maternal behavior. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(18), 9007.

Leff, P., Chinchilla-Ochoa, D., Olivas-Peña, E., Granados-Cepeda, M. L., Trejo-Sánchez, K. C., & Farfán-Labonne, B. E. Cognitive dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus during pregnancy. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 94(2), e70134.

Camacho-Arroyo, I., Flores-Ramos, M., Mancilla-Herrera, I., Cruz-Coronel, F. M., Farfán-Labonne, B., Jiménez-Aquino, L. E., et al. Alterations in adipokine levels are associated with human perinatal anxiety and depression. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(12), 4102.

Meza-Rodríguez, M. D. P., Leff-Gelman, P., et al. Serotonin, cortisol, and DHEA-S levels in anxious and depressive pregnant women living with HIV. BMC Psychology, 12, 563.

 

Shebli Atrash | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Shebli Atrash | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Shebli Atrash | Levine Cancer Institute | United States

Dr. Shebli Atrash, MD, MS, FACP, is a distinguished physician-scientist specializing in hematological malignancies and blood disorders. Currently serving as Associate Professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, he is deeply committed to advancing cancer research, patient care, and medical education. With an MD from the University of Damascus and advanced training in cancer biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. Atrash has built a career centered on innovation in oncology. His expertise spans clinical practice, academic teaching, translational research, and leadership in clinical trials. Over the years, he has earned multiple recognitions for excellence, including Resident of the Year and awards for top accrual in clinical trials. As a reviewer and editor for leading journals and an active member of numerous professional societies, he continues to shape the global conversation in oncology. His dedication bridges scientific innovation with compassionate patient care.

Professional Profile: 

Scopus

ORCID

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Education

Dr. Atrash began his medical journey at the University of Damascus, where he earned his MD. His pursuit of deeper scientific knowledge led him to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where he completed a Clinical Translational Science Certificate and a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences with a cancer biology track. To complement his clinical and academic expertise, he also completed advanced leadership training through the Physician/APP Leadership Institute program at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. His educational path reflects a balance of rigorous medical training, translational research expertise, and leadership development. Each step has prepared him to excel in bridging bedside care with cutting-edge oncology research. His lifelong learning commitment underscores his passion for improving outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies.

Experience

Dr. Atrash’s professional journey demonstrates a remarkable blend of clinical excellence, academic leadership, and scientific research. He began his training as an Internal Medicine Intern and Resident at St. Barnabas Hospital/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by a Hematology & Oncology Fellowship at UAMS. His faculty appointments span prestigious institutions, including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Atrium Health, and now Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he serves as an Associate Professor in Hematology and Oncology. Beyond academia, Dr. Atrash has contributed to clinical trial development, serving on multiple advisory boards for leading pharmaceutical companies and acting as a reviewer and editor for top oncology journals. His wide-reaching experience also includes roles on independent review committees for pivotal Phase  clinical trials. With a career marked by leadership, innovation, and collaboration, Dr. Atrash is recognized as both a skilled clinician and a visionary researcher.

Research Interest

Dr. Atrash’s research interests center on hematological malignancies, with a special focus on multiple myeloma. He is deeply engaged in exploring novel therapies and clinical trials that advance patient care, including CAR-T cell therapy, antibody-drug conjugates, and combination regimens for relapsed/refractory myeloma. His translational work integrates cancer cell biology with therapeutic innovation, seeking to develop strategies that improve survival and quality of life for patients. He is currently the Principal Investigator of a multimillion-dollar investigator-initiated trial exploring Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, Dexamethasone, and Belantamab Mafodotin for multiple myeloma. Additionally, his roles on the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), and CIBMTR reflect his influence on the global hematology research agenda. His interests also extend to improving clinical trial design, translational oncology, and immune-based therapies, positioning him as a leader in shaping the next generation of cancer therapeutics.

Awards

Dr. Atrash has consistently been recognized for his excellence in medicine, research, and clinical trials. Early in his career, he was honored as Resident of the Year at St. Barnabas Hospital. During his time at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, he received the Dean’s Circle of Excellence Awards, highlighting his academic and clinical contributions. More recently, at Atrium Health, he was recognized as the Top Accruer for interventional and non-interventional clinical trials, showcasing his leadership in clinical research and dedication to advancing therapies for patients. These honors reflect his consistent ability to combine academic rigor, research innovation, and patient-centered care. Collectively, they illustrate a career built on excellence, impact, and recognition from both peers and leading institutions in oncology and internal medicine.

Publications

Dr. Atrash has authored and co-authored numerous impactful publications in top-tier oncology and hematology journals. His research spans multiple myeloma, novel therapeutics, and immune-based strategies, with publications widely cited by peers. He also serves as a reviewer, guest editor, and editorial board member for high-impact journals such as Cancers, British Journal of Haematology, and Annals of Blood. Selected publications include:

Title: Dexamethasone for the management of CRS Related to teclistamab in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Citations: 2

Title: Outcomes of teclistamab in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with prior exposure to BCMA-directed therapy: a multicenter study from the U.S. Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium
Journal: Blood Cancer Journal, 2025

Title: A phase 2 randomized study of modakafusp alfa as a single agent for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Journal: Blood, 2025

Title: Stem Cell Mobilization Yields with Daratumumab (Dara) and Lenalidomide (Len)-Containing Quadruplet Induction Therapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM): A Real-World Experience at 2 Institutes
Journal: Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2025

Title: Teclistamab for patients with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and renal impairment
Journal: Blood Advances, 2025

Title: Global Access to Multiple Myeloma Therapies
Journal: JCO Global Oncology, 2025

Conclusion

Dr. Shebli Atrash is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award, bringing together academic excellence, clinical innovation, and impactful service to the hematology and oncology community. His strong record in clinical trial leadership, journal editorships, and advisory roles establishes him as a distinguished researcher in multiple myeloma. With continued growth in authorship leadership, international visibility, and mentorship, Dr. Atrash’s career trajectory promises sustained contributions to cancer research and patient outcomes. Based on his strengths, he is highly suitable for this award.