Beirut: Dr. Fadlo Khuri, president of the American University of Beirut (AUB) and an internationally recognized oncologist, has been named among the 100 most influential people in oncology in 2025 by OncoDaily, the leading global media platform dedicated to cancer research, clinical practice, innovation, and oncology leadership.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, "The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025" recognizes the changemakers in cancer care who have shaped current practice in oncology and continue to drive innovation and research towards better outcomes, advocacy, philanthropy, leadership, and education. This prestigious honor places Dr. Khuri alongside global leaders such as Bill Gates, Princess of Wales Catherine Middleton, Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan, and Princess Adila bint Abdullah Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, who have significantly advanced equity in global health.
Dr. Khuri's inclusion in this select group testifies to his pioneering work as an oncologist and academic leader, with a career spanning groundbreaking cancer research, excellence in medical education, and visionary institutional leadership. This recognition builds on his remarkable record of global achievements and recognitions, including his recent election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the world's most prestigious honorary society and independent research center.
In response to the news, Dr. Khuri expressed that for nearly four decades, it has been his personal mission to treat patients with cancer and study the disease's biology, prevention, and treatment. He has remained connected with the public health implications of cancer, supporting vigorous smoking cessation and cancer prevention programs.
Dr. Khuri also highlighted the privilege of collaborating with and mentoring generations of exceptional scholars, many of whom have contributed to improving the five-year survival rates for cancer patients to upwards of 70 percent in the United States and economically developed countries. He described his career as a rewarding profession.
Dr. Khuri emphasized that his nomination among influential global changemakers reinforces his unwavering commitment to the field. His focus over the last decade has been to advance health equity for people with cancer, ensuring that cancer care is rooted in scientific excellence and guided by the principles of equity and accessibility to all.
OncoDaily's announcement lauded Dr. Khuri's transformative leadership and commitment to academic excellence, highlighting his role as the sixteenth president of the American University of Beirut. He led the university through successive national crises, including Lebanon's economic collapse, the Beirut port explosion, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023-24 war, while strengthening its global standing as a mission-driven academic health institution.
Dr. Khuri oversaw the acquisition of AUB's first community hospital and major health system modernization, including the adoption of the Epic electronic health record system and AUB's entry into the COSMOS research consortium. His previous positions include holding endowed chairs at Emory University, serving on the faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and serving as editor in chief of Cancer from 2011 to 2021.
The announcement further noted Dr. Khuri's role in strengthening national cancer guidelines and advancing tobacco-control policy in Lebanon. He has chaired NIH oncology study sections and served on review committees for ASCO, the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute, with honors including the AACR Rosenthal Award, the WHO No Tobacco Award, the IASLC Joseph W. Cullen Award, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2025.
Source: National news agency - Lebanon