Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash – Mentorship Spotlight: Yvonne Awards 2025

The Yvonne Awards 2025, presented by OncoDaily during the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, have become a much-awaited tradition in global oncology, honoring excellence, leadership, and advocacy. This inspiring event, known for its unique blend of celebration and purpose, took place once again on the Friday night of ASCO 2025 in Chicago, alongside the OncoDaily Party, forming what has now become a hallmark of the oncology calendar. Among this year’s honorees was Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash, recognized for his impact as a mentor in oncology.

With the Chicago Riverwalk as its scenic backdrop, the 2025 ceremony brought together oncologists, researchers, advocates, and leaders worldwide. The Yvonne Awards – named in tribute to a legacy of courage and mentorship have, over the years, established a meaningful platform to spotlight individuals who drive change and elevate the cancer care community. Building on the tradition, this year’s event continued to highlight voices that challenge the status quo, mentor across generations, and push the boundaries of science and humanity in oncology.

Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash: 2025 Mentorship Award Winner

This year’s Mentorship Award is presented to Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash, a distinguished physician‑scientist and clinical investigator whose unwavering commitment to mentorship has empowered a generation of early-career oncologists around the world. Known for his leadership in immuno-oncology, early-phase clinical trials, and biomarker-driven research, Dr. Naqash has built a legacy not only through his scientific contributions but also through his dedication to guiding, supporting, and inspiring young researchers. His mentorship philosophy rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and compassion, continues to shape the future of oncology.

About Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash

Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash is an exceptional physician‑scientist based at the University of Oklahoma’s Stephenson Cancer Center. With a mission defined by early‑phase drug development, precision oncology, and patient‑centered mentorship, he represents the intersection of innovation and leadership in modern cancer care.

Academic and Clinical Journey

Dr.Abdul Rafeh Naqash earned his medical degree from Government Medical College in Srinagar, Kashmir. He then completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University at Buffalo/Catholic Health in Buffalo, New York. His subspecialty training in Hematology and Oncology was completed at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Driven by a deep interest in translational research and early‑phase trials, he pursued advanced training in early‑phase clinical development at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.

Currently, Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Immuno‑Oncology at the Stephenson Cancer Center, where he leads the TSET Phase I program. His academic role also includes conducting biomarker‑driven clinical trials with a focus on accelerating therapeutic advances in solid tumors.

Research Focus and Publications

Dr.Abdul Rafeh Naqash’s research centers on early‑phase clinical trials for solid tumors, immunotherapy biomarker discovery, immune‑related toxicities, and mechanisms of resistance. His work is particularly focused on lung cancers and rare malignancies such as alveolar soft part sarcoma. He has contributed significantly to the literature in these domains, including a comprehensive review on pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms published in The Lancet Oncology in early 2025. He was also involved in the pivotal Phase II trial of atezolizumab for alveolar soft part sarcoma, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine following FDA approval of the treatment.

You can read the Full Article on The Lancet Oncology.

Leadership Contributions

At the institutional level, he plays a key role in guiding professional development initiatives. He is an executive member of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Early Career Scientist Committee and serves on the ASCO Trainee & Early Career Council. These roles reflect his commitment to developing structured programs for early‑career oncologists.

Dr. Naqash also contributes to the broader oncology community through academic publishing and science communication. He is a social media editor for JCO Precision Oncology and a member of the ASCO Social Media Working Group, helping to amplify educational and research content to a global audience.

Petros Grivas Presented 2025 Yvonne Award for Mentorship to Rafeh Naqash

Awards and Honors

Over the course of his career, Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash has received numerous prestigious awards. These include the ASCO‑SITC Merit Awards in 2018 and 2019, the ASCO Young Investigator Award in 2020, the NCI Director’s Award, and the NIH Director’s Award of Merit. In May 2025, he was one of only 19 global recipients of the ASCO Conquer Cancer Career Development Award, which supports his transition to independent clinical research leadership in rare cancers and biomarker discovery.

Signature Mentorship Style

Dr. Naqash’s approach to mentorship is shaped by several core principles. He fosters scientific curiosity, encouraging early-career researchers to pursue high‑risk, hypothesis‑driven questions beyond conventional pathways. He emphasizes translational focus, helping mentees bridge basic science and clinical research to benefit real‑world patient care. He also champions collaborative network building, actively connecting trainees with national and international leaders in oncology. Importantly, he advocates for mentorship and research in rare diseases, where support and visibility are often limited. This unique combination of intellectual rigor and accessibility has established him as a trusted guide and role model within the oncology education ecosystem.

Impact and Legacy

Through his commitment to mentorship, Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash is shaping a new generation of oncologists and translational scientists. His influence is evident in the success of his mentees, the reach of his educational leadership, and the quality of the clinical trials he designs and leads. His contributions have accelerated scientific discovery and expanded access to innovative cancer therapies. Most importantly, his example inspires others to lead with purpose, compassion, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Yvonne Awards 2025: Honoring Global Oncology Leaders at ASCO’s Most Inspiring Night

Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD