Akhbar Humraha is our weekly spotlight on good news from the Muslim community. A culture of good news, one story at a time.
This week we are headed to Oklahoma City, where a young Muslim physician-scientist keeps collecting some of the biggest early-career honors in American medicine.
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.
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.
What made us smile most was his acceptance note. He thanked his mentors, collaborators, trainees and patients, and especially his wife, calling her "an immense source of steady support." Behind so many big achievements in our community is a family cheering quietly in the background, and we love seeing that named out loud.
Follow his story: Dr. Naqash at OU Health
Source: University of Oklahoma News
Do you know a Muslim doctor, scientist or student doing something wonderful? Send us a story tip and we may feature them next.
And 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.
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