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: 

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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.

Hanan Almutairi | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Hanan Almutairi | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award 

PhD candidate / Clinical Dietitian | University of Nottingham/ King Faisal Specialist Hospital | Saudi Arabia

Ms. Hanan Al-Mutairi is a highly accomplished Senior Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and BMT Dietitian at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC), with over of clinical and research experience. She has played a pivotal role in advancing pediatric nutrition therapy, developing evidence-based dietary guidelines, and introducing innovative tools such as AI-driven patient education systems. Hanan’s career began as a Clinical Dietitian at King Fahad Medical City, where she worked before joining KFSHRC. Over the years, she has expanded her expertise in pediatric oncology nutrition, bone marrow transplant dietetics, and clinical research coordination. She is also a PhD candidate at Nottingham University, focusing on oncology nutrition, and has gained international training through observerships in Toronto and Philadelphia. With active involvement in medical committees, research collaborations, and global conferences, Hanan has become a respected leader in pediatric clinical nutrition, committed to improving patient care and health outcomes.

Professional Profile

ORICD

Education

Ms. Hanan Al-Mutairi educational journey reflects her dedication to advancing pediatric clinical nutrition. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition from King Saud University, Applied Medical Science College, achieving a strong Determined to specialize further, she pursued postgraduate studies in the UK, completing her Master’s in Advanced Dietetic Practice with Distinction from Nottingham University’s Bioscience College. Currently, she is a PhD candidate in Oncology at Nottingham University, focusing her doctoral research on nutrition interventions for pediatric oncology patients. To enhance her global exposure, she undertook specialized observerships at SickKids Hospital in Toronto and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, enriching her clinical expertise in pediatric nutrition and oncology. Her continuous pursuit of academic excellence, combined with certifications in bioinformatics, clinical research methods, and specialized dietetic training, highlights her lifelong commitment to evidence-based clinical practice and patient-centered care.

Experience

Ms. Hanan Al-Mutairi has established herself as a leader in pediatric oncology nutrition. She began her career as a Clinical Dietitian at King Fahad Medical City before transitioning to King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC). At KFSHRC, she advanced to the role of Senior Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and BMT Dietitian, where she manages inpatient and outpatient nutritional therapy, leads clinical research, and mentors interns, dietitians, and physicians. Her responsibilities extend to updating hospital nutrition policies, developing instructional materials for pediatric cancer care, and organizing awareness days for patients and families. She has also spearheaded initiatives such as integrating artificial intelligence into patient and caregiver education. In addition to her clinical duties, she actively contributes to multi-disciplinary committees, enhancing collaboration across oncology, palliative care, and solid tumor treatment teams, ensuring high-quality patient outcomes in pediatric clinical nutrition.

Research Interest

Ms. Hanan Al-Mutairi research interests lie at the intersection of pediatric oncology, clinical nutrition, and innovative therapies. She is particularly focused on the role of diet in managing side effects of cancer treatment, nutritional interventions to improve survival outcomes, and the integration of ketogenic diets in pediatric brain tumors. Her ongoing studies explore the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of ketogenic dietary therapies, as well as the impact of nutritional status on pediatric oncology patients during critical periods such as chemotherapy and pandemic-related treatment disruptions. She is investigating micronutrient deficiencies, leucine supplementation in anemia, and carnitine expression in CNS tumors, providing insights into metabolic pathways relevant to treatment outcomes. Additionally, Hanan is pioneering work in artificial intelligence for patient education, bridging clinical care with digital innovation. By combining rigorous scientific inquiry with patient-focused applications, her research contributes to advancing oncology nutrition practices and offers hope for more effective, personalized dietary interventions in pediatric cancer care.

Awards & Recognitions

Throughout her career, Hanan has earned numerous awards and recognitions that highlight her excellence in pediatric nutrition and oncology care. She has been honored with multiple appreciation letters from hospital directors, department leaders, and patient families at KFSHRC for her dedication and impactful contributions. Her recognition as an Exemplary Employee at the Children Cancer Center underscores her outstanding commitment to patient care. She has also received commendations from the SANAD Society for Children with Cancer and other healthcare organizations for her advocacy and awareness initiatives. Beyond institutional recognition, Hanan has been an invited speaker at national and international conferences, including the International Conference on Nutrition & Growth, the International Conference on Pediatrics and Child Health, and several pediatric oncology symposia. Her leadership in conducting Pediatric Oncology Nutrition Awareness Days and her involvement in national campaigns further emphasize her dedication to community engagement. Collectively, these honors demonstrate her exceptional impact as a clinician, researcher, and educator.

Publications

Ms. Hanan Al-Mutairi has authored and contributed to impactful research in pediatric clinical nutrition, with a focus on oncology and metabolic therapies. Selected works include:

Oncologists’ Perspectives on Ketogenic Diets in Pediatric Brain Cancer: Potential, Challenges, and the Path Forward
Published in: Nutrients Journal
Type: Original Research Article

Safety, Feasibility and Effectiveness of Ketogenic Diet on Pediatric Patients with Brain Tumours: Systematic Review
Published in: Nutrition and Metabolism Journal
Type: Systematic Review

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescent Survivors of Standard Risk Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Saudi Arabia
Published in: Peer-reviewed Journal (details needed)
Type: Clinical Study

Importance of Adjusting Dual-energy X-Ray Output for Body Size: An Example from Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Published in: Peer-reviewed Journal (details needed)
Type: Research Article

Side-effects of Enteral Nutrition in Childhood Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Presented as: Poster Presentation
Type: Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

Feasibility and Safety of Ketogenic Diet in Brain Cancer Patients: Systematic Review
Presented as: Poster Presentation
Type: Systematic Review

Conclusion

Ms. Hanan Al-Mutairi consistent contributions in pediatric oncology nutrition, clinical innovation, and research translation strongly position her as a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her integration of clinical practice, patient-centered research, and educational outreach exemplifies the qualities of an impactful researcher who advances both science and society. With further expansion of her global collaborations and high-impact publications, she is set to achieve even greater influence in the field of medical nutrition research.