Elabrar Ebrahim, Resident clinical oncology at Alexandria University, shared on LinkedIn:
“I am thrilled to share that my clinical trial protocol was accepted for the AACR-ASCO Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop 2026 in Vail, Colorado!
Spending a week surrounded by world leaders in oncology and exceptional early-career investigators was unforgettable – challenging my thinking and sharpening my trial design skills.
As the only oncology fellow attending from a LMIC, I was honored to bring the perspective of researchers working to expand access to high-quality cancer care in resource-limited settings.
A heartfelt thank you to American Association for Cancer Research and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for this opportunity.
Deep gratitude to our PDG 11 mentors – Dr. Ann Partridge, Dr. Bora Lim, Patty Spears, and Dr.David Zahrieh and to the extraordinary faculty who generously shared their expertise and mentorship inside and outside office hours: Dr. Timothy A. Yap, Dr. Kurt A. Schalper, Dr. Arzu Onar-Thomas, Dr. Maha Hussain, Dr. Anna Spreafico, Dr. Elizabeth Buchbinder, and Dr. Sanford Mark James.
A highlight of the journey was 20 one-on-one mentorship meeting and snapping a quick selfie! With ASCO President Dr.Elizabeth Mittendorf.
Despite her packed schedule, she generously took time to listen, guide, encourage, and support my next steps. As a young oncologist, that conversation was a powerful reminder that true leadership is about opening doors and investing in others.
None of this would be possible without two extraordinary mentors:
Prof. Dr. Waleed Arafat, who taught me how to be a clinical oncologist and researcher, to think critically, and never settle for the obvious. When I called to share the acceptance news.
I said :’Dr. Waleed, your protocol was accepted!’
He smiled and replied: ‘You mean our protocol. Well done, ya Bero. I’m excited for you.’
(Our)!, this word reflected years of trust and shared purpose. From Vail, his advice remained constant: ‘Learn, challenge your understanding, have fun, and make friends.’
Prof. Dr.Mona Fouad, my mentor and PI at UAB Medicine, who transformed my clinical perspective into a true global oncology vision, inspiring me to focus on equity, prevention, and access. When I admitted my biggest fear.
Saying: ‘I don’t have the funding to attend.‘
Without hesitation, she said: ‘Yes, you will go.‘
Her belief in me made traveling to Vail possible.
This happens when people believe in you before you fully believe in yourself.
My PDG 11 ‘Breasties‘ (Devora Isseroff, Elena Michaels, Elyse Lopez, Beth Gordon, MD, Arshia Arora, Reza Zarinshenas, and Julia Maués) – we came with ideas, left with lifelong friendships, and built a protocol along the way!
I return inspired and even more committed to advancing global oncology by expanding equitable access to innovative clinical trials.”
