The Oklahoma Cancer Doctor Racking Up National Honors

Humraha News

An Oklahoma City oncologist just picked up one of American medicine's most competitive early-career honors, and his thank-you note is the best part.

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A national award for a rising Muslim cancer researcher

Dr. Abdul Rafeh Naqash, associate professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and senior associate director of AI and Data Science at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, has been awarded the 2026 Young Physician-Scientist Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigation. The award recognizes roughly 50 physician-scientists nationwide who are still in their first faculty appointment and have already made notable research contributions.

Cancer research that helps real patients

Much of Dr. Naqash's work focuses on identifying biomarkers that help match cancer patients with the therapies most likely to work for them, along with understanding the side effects of immunotherapy. He is known nationally for his work on lung cancer and has published more than 110 papers in peer-reviewed journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet Oncology.

The honors keep stacking up. Last year he was named a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, a distinction rarely given so early in a faculty career. In 2025 he also received a Conquer Cancer Career Development Award, a competitive three-year research grant that went to only 19 recipients worldwide.

"An immense source of steady support."Dr. Naqash, thanking his wife in his acceptance note

Gratitude at the center

What made us smile most was that acceptance note. He thanked his mentors, collaborators, trainees and patients, and especially his wife. Behind so many big achievements in our community is a family cheering quietly in the background, and we love seeing that named out loud.

If there is a healer in your own family who deserves a small celebration, a personalized gift with their name in Arabic is a sweet way to say thank you. For more everyday inspiration, read our guide to raising confident Muslim kids in America.