Julia Ismael, Scientific and Technical Director of the Latin American Initiative for Cancer Control (ILACC), has been named a candidate for the UICC Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term.
Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dr Ismael is a clinical oncologist and health policy researcher with more than 20 years of experience spanning clinical care, public policy, academia, and civil society.
She previously served as Director of Argentina’s National Cancer Institute, where she led the development and implementation of national cancer control strategies and health system strengthening initiatives.
The new UICC Board will be elected by UICC full-member organisations during the 2026 UICC General Assembly, which will take place virtually on October 20, 2026. Electronic voting will open on October 13 and close at 14:30 CEST on October 20.
Julia Ismael’s Work in Cancer Control
Dr Ismael’s career has focused on translating cancer policy and evidence into practical approaches that improve outcomes and strengthen health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
As Scientific and Technical Director of ILACC, she works on initiatives related to cancer control, health system strengthening, implementation science, health equity, digital transformation, and data-driven decision-making.
Her work has also included collaborations involving Women in Global Health Argentina, Women for Oncology Latin America, All.Can Argentina, and City Cancer Challenge.
Across these roles, Dr Ismael has worked with governments, professional societies, patient organisations, academic institutions, and industry to address cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship, and access to innovation.
Why Julia Ismael Is Running for the UICC Board
Dr Ismael said her candidacy is motivated by the need to strengthen the connection between global cancer strategies and their implementation within individual health systems.
“I believe effective cancer control depends on stronger links between global strategies and local implementation.”
Drawing on her experience as a clinician, researcher, civil society leader, and former Director of Argentina’s National Cancer Institute, she said she would bring a perspective grounded in both policy development and implementation.
Her priorities include strengthening health systems, reducing inequities, expanding access to innovation, and promoting meaningful patient engagement.
“I am particularly committed to ensuring that the perspectives and needs of low- and middle-income countries are reflected in global cancer control priorities and actions.”
A Latin American Perspective on Global Cancer Control
A key part of Dr Ismael’s candidacy is her experience working across Latin America and other low- and middle-income settings.
Her work has focused on adapting cancer-control strategies to local health systems while building partnerships across different sectors.
As a former national cancer institute director, she has firsthand experience with the challenges of turning national cancer-control strategies into programmes and services that can be implemented in practice.
She said her experience across government, civil society, academia, and healthcare delivery would allow her to contribute a broad perspective to the UICC Board.
Connecting Policy, Practice, and Innovation
Dr Ismael has also identified digital transformation, implementation science, and data as important components of modern cancer control.
Her work explores how evidence and data can be translated into better decision-making, while ensuring that technological and scientific advances reach populations that have historically faced barriers to access.
She has contributed to regional and global initiatives addressing access to innovation, patient experience, gender equity in oncology, and national cancer control planning.
“I would bring to the Board the perspective of a leader who has worked across government, civil society, academia, and healthcare delivery, translating cancer control policies into real-world implementation in low- and middle-income settings.”
Advancing Patient-Centred and Equitable Cancer Care
Patient-centred care and health equity are central to Dr Ismael’s approach to cancer control.
She advocates for stronger engagement of patients and communities in cancer policy and decision-making, alongside efforts to improve access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship care.
Her work with regional and international initiatives has also focused on women’s leadership and improving the representation of diverse perspectives in cancer control.
If elected, Dr Ismael said she would contribute to UICC’s efforts to build stronger partnerships, promote evidence-informed decision-making, and ensure that cancer-control strategies respond to the realities of different healthcare settings.
Watch Dr Julia Ismael’s video message outlining her experience, priorities, and vision as a candidate for the UICC Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term.
UICC Board Elections 2026
The 2026 UICC election will determine 14 members of the Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term.
UICC full-member organisations will vote during the virtual General Assembly on October 20, 2026, following the opening of electronic voting on October 13.
The elected Board will help guide UICC’s work in cancer prevention, health equity, health systems strengthening, patient-centred care, and global cancer control.
Read further on OncoDaily: Todd Harper Named Candidate for UICC Board of Directors 2026–2028
