Meet the CERI Team
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Read our press release here
Dr. Aygün Şahin, MSc, PhD Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Cancer Lead
Dr. Şahin is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and the Cancer Lead of Cancer Education and Research Institute® (CERI). Her background in cancer research and being able to see the "other side" of the bench and bedside, namely the "patients' needs", we was able to develop pioneering cancer programs at CERI, like the CERI Personalized Patient Program™ (CPPP), which aims to make personalized cancer care a global standard. These programs not only saved thousands of lives worldwide and successfully educated millions globally, but earned the UN Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) Award in 2019.
She holds a doctorate degree with Magna Cum Laude in genetics, and cell biology as second major, and Masters degree (3.86/4.00) in Applied Biology. She is in the field of cancer for 25 years. Dr. Şahin is a cancer immunotherapy specialist, which experience gained at Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School (MGH-HMS). She is one of the first handful of people worldwide who worked on the initial development of a powerful adoptive immunotherapy strategy using *chimeric antigen receptors engineered T cells (CAR-T cells)*, and developed the award-winning, third-generation CAR-T cell immunotherapy for glioblastoma (GBM). She is a former faculty member of Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Şahin completed her doctorate degree at the University of Bonn and part of her doctoral work at the Institute Pasteur in Lille, France. She worked at the Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, where she built from the ground up and ran the Neuro-oncology laboratory at the Center for Clinical Research (ZKF), prior to moving to the U.S. She further built from the ground up and ran the CAR-T cell immunotherapy program at a startup biopharma company in Boston. Her genetic and cellular therapy for cancer includes brain cancer (glioblastoma, GBM) and hematological cancers.
She is rigorously trained in handling sensitive patient data for 25 years, and implemented safe technologies at CERI for the last 13 years. Beside her cancer talks, she is invited speaker at global stages to raise awareness for the safe use of Responsible AI, Ethical AI, and Data Security to protect patients' most sensitive information in healthcare and scientific research.
Dr. Şahin served as key scientist in many national and international collaborations, and has been an invited speaker at several scientific and educational conferences. She mentored many undergraduate and graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians.
Dr. Şahin received a number of awards and honors during her academic career, as well as won several awards in public speaking and in leadership. Dr. Şahin speaks four languages while understanding multiple, and is bilingual in German and Turkish.
Dr. Şahin is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and the Cancer Lead of Cancer Education and Research Institute® (CERI). Her background in cancer research and being able to see the "other side" of the bench and bedside, namely the "patients' needs", we was able to develop pioneering cancer programs at CERI, like the CERI Personalized Patient Program™ (CPPP), which aims to make personalized cancer care a global standard. These programs not only saved thousands of lives worldwide and successfully educated millions globally, but earned the UN Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) Award in 2019.
She holds a doctorate degree with Magna Cum Laude in genetics, and cell biology as second major, and Masters degree (3.86/4.00) in Applied Biology. She is in the field of cancer for 25 years. Dr. Şahin is a cancer immunotherapy specialist, which experience gained at Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School (MGH-HMS). She is one of the first handful of people worldwide who worked on the initial development of a powerful adoptive immunotherapy strategy using *chimeric antigen receptors engineered T cells (CAR-T cells)*, and developed the award-winning, third-generation CAR-T cell immunotherapy for glioblastoma (GBM). She is a former faculty member of Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Şahin completed her doctorate degree at the University of Bonn and part of her doctoral work at the Institute Pasteur in Lille, France. She worked at the Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, where she built from the ground up and ran the Neuro-oncology laboratory at the Center for Clinical Research (ZKF), prior to moving to the U.S. She further built from the ground up and ran the CAR-T cell immunotherapy program at a startup biopharma company in Boston. Her genetic and cellular therapy for cancer includes brain cancer (glioblastoma, GBM) and hematological cancers.
She is rigorously trained in handling sensitive patient data for 25 years, and implemented safe technologies at CERI for the last 13 years. Beside her cancer talks, she is invited speaker at global stages to raise awareness for the safe use of Responsible AI, Ethical AI, and Data Security to protect patients' most sensitive information in healthcare and scientific research.
Dr. Şahin served as key scientist in many national and international collaborations, and has been an invited speaker at several scientific and educational conferences. She mentored many undergraduate and graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians.
Dr. Şahin received a number of awards and honors during her academic career, as well as won several awards in public speaking and in leadership. Dr. Şahin speaks four languages while understanding multiple, and is bilingual in German and Turkish.
Hamza Abid, MS, APRN-CNS, AOCNS®, OCN® CERI Board of Directors
Hamza Abid is a nationally recognized advanced oncology nurse leader, educator, and clinical nurse specialist with over a decade of experience advancing cancer care, patient safety, and workforce development across complex healthcare systems.
He currently serves as a Manager of Inpatient Oncology at Sutter Health Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Northern California, where he leads multidisciplinary teams caring for high-acuity surgical and medical oncology patients. His work focuses on building high-reliability clinical systems, strengthening evidence-based practice, and developing compassionate, high-performing care teams.
Hamza holds a master's degree in advanced Oncology Practice from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he was awarded a competitive cancer research fellowship by the American Cancer Society. He is a published author, including a forthcoming chapter on Tumor Lysis Syndrome in the 4th edition of Understanding and Managing Oncologic Emergencies by the Oncology Nursing Society, and is actively involved in national and regional oncology education and leadership initiatives.
Hamza's commitment to oncology is deeply personal. He lost his father to lung cancer while in nursing school; a sudden and devastating experience that shaped his professional purpose and his dedication to improving the human experience of cancer care. This personal journey continues to inform his leadership philosophy, which integrates clinical excellence, empathy, and systems-level thinking.
He sought to join the Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI) because of its unique role in bridging education, research, and global collaboration to improve cancer outcomes and equity. He is particularly inspired by CERI's commitment to capacity-building, knowledge dissemination, and the development of future oncology leaders. As a Board Member, Hamza hopes to contribute his clinical, educational, and operational expertise to advance CERI's mission, expand its impact, and help ensure that high-quality cancer education and care are accessible across diverse and resource-limited settings.
Hamza Abid is a nationally recognized advanced oncology nurse leader, educator, and clinical nurse specialist with over a decade of experience advancing cancer care, patient safety, and workforce development across complex healthcare systems.
He currently serves as a Manager of Inpatient Oncology at Sutter Health Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Northern California, where he leads multidisciplinary teams caring for high-acuity surgical and medical oncology patients. His work focuses on building high-reliability clinical systems, strengthening evidence-based practice, and developing compassionate, high-performing care teams.
Hamza holds a master's degree in advanced Oncology Practice from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he was awarded a competitive cancer research fellowship by the American Cancer Society. He is a published author, including a forthcoming chapter on Tumor Lysis Syndrome in the 4th edition of Understanding and Managing Oncologic Emergencies by the Oncology Nursing Society, and is actively involved in national and regional oncology education and leadership initiatives.
Hamza's commitment to oncology is deeply personal. He lost his father to lung cancer while in nursing school; a sudden and devastating experience that shaped his professional purpose and his dedication to improving the human experience of cancer care. This personal journey continues to inform his leadership philosophy, which integrates clinical excellence, empathy, and systems-level thinking.
He sought to join the Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI) because of its unique role in bridging education, research, and global collaboration to improve cancer outcomes and equity. He is particularly inspired by CERI's commitment to capacity-building, knowledge dissemination, and the development of future oncology leaders. As a Board Member, Hamza hopes to contribute his clinical, educational, and operational expertise to advance CERI's mission, expand its impact, and help ensure that high-quality cancer education and care are accessible across diverse and resource-limited settings.
Dr. Riyad Awad, DVM CERI Board of Directors
Dr. Awad is a public health specialist with more than three decades of experience in disease surveillance, health information systems, and applied public health research. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of science, health systems, and education, with a strong focus on transforming health data into knowledge that supports prevention, early detection, and informed public health decision-making.
He has held senior leadership roles within the Ministry of Health, including serving as Director of the Palestinian Health Information Centre, where he was responsible for national health information systems, epidemiological surveillance, and strategic reporting. His work involved close collaboration with international organizations such as the World Health Organization, EMRO, and other partners, particularly in complex and resource-limited settings. These experiences shaped my understanding of how evidence-based education and research can strengthen health systems and improve population health.
Education has been a central part of Dr. Awad's professional identity. He has lectured in epidemiology and public health, supervised graduate research, and supported the training of physicians and health professionals. He strongly believes that education is not secondary to research, but an essential pathway through which scientific knowledge becomes practical impact.
Dr. Awad wanted to join the Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI) because its mission closely aligns with his professional values and experience. CERI’s focus on education-driven research and global collaboration reflects his belief that effective cancer control begins with awareness, prevention, reliable data, and informed health systems. Through CERI, Dr. Awad aims to contribute my background in epidemiology, surveillance, and public health education while collaborating with professionals committed to translating cancer research into meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Dr. Awad is a public health specialist with more than three decades of experience in disease surveillance, health information systems, and applied public health research. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of science, health systems, and education, with a strong focus on transforming health data into knowledge that supports prevention, early detection, and informed public health decision-making.
He has held senior leadership roles within the Ministry of Health, including serving as Director of the Palestinian Health Information Centre, where he was responsible for national health information systems, epidemiological surveillance, and strategic reporting. His work involved close collaboration with international organizations such as the World Health Organization, EMRO, and other partners, particularly in complex and resource-limited settings. These experiences shaped my understanding of how evidence-based education and research can strengthen health systems and improve population health.
Education has been a central part of Dr. Awad's professional identity. He has lectured in epidemiology and public health, supervised graduate research, and supported the training of physicians and health professionals. He strongly believes that education is not secondary to research, but an essential pathway through which scientific knowledge becomes practical impact.
Dr. Awad wanted to join the Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI) because its mission closely aligns with his professional values and experience. CERI’s focus on education-driven research and global collaboration reflects his belief that effective cancer control begins with awareness, prevention, reliable data, and informed health systems. Through CERI, Dr. Awad aims to contribute my background in epidemiology, surveillance, and public health education while collaborating with professionals committed to translating cancer research into meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Dr. Ashoo Grover, MD CERI Board of Directors
Dr. Grover works at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), where she leads the Implementation Division, and has joined Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI) as a board member.
She joined CERI because its mission - to advance personalized cancer care and make cancer research accessible to clinicians and patients - directly aligns with my career-long focus on translating evidence into practical, scalable care pathways for low- and middle-income countries.
Her work focuses on translating high-level evidence into usable clinical pathways, policy and public education. At ICMR, she led development of 157 Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) across 28 specialties, and also led efforts to establish Multidisciplinary Research Unites nationwide and to develop Health Technology Assessment (HTA) frameworks to inform policy in India.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) received the 2024 UN Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) Award for its significant work in controlling Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and respiratory illnesses, and for boosting mental health, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The award recognizes ICMR's multi-sectoral actions, including establishing centers for Assistive Health Technology and conducting large-scale surveys, setting a benchmark for global health initiatives.
Dr. Grover is committed to using CERI's global platform to translate those insights into data-driven screening, training, and policy solutions for resources-limited settings.
She brings expertise in implementation research, health-systems strengthening, funding advocacy, and partnerships across government, academia, and international agencies.
Dr. Grover works at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), where she leads the Implementation Division, and has joined Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI) as a board member.
She joined CERI because its mission - to advance personalized cancer care and make cancer research accessible to clinicians and patients - directly aligns with my career-long focus on translating evidence into practical, scalable care pathways for low- and middle-income countries.
Her work focuses on translating high-level evidence into usable clinical pathways, policy and public education. At ICMR, she led development of 157 Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) across 28 specialties, and also led efforts to establish Multidisciplinary Research Unites nationwide and to develop Health Technology Assessment (HTA) frameworks to inform policy in India.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) received the 2024 UN Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) Award for its significant work in controlling Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and respiratory illnesses, and for boosting mental health, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The award recognizes ICMR's multi-sectoral actions, including establishing centers for Assistive Health Technology and conducting large-scale surveys, setting a benchmark for global health initiatives.
Dr. Grover is committed to using CERI's global platform to translate those insights into data-driven screening, training, and policy solutions for resources-limited settings.
She brings expertise in implementation research, health-systems strengthening, funding advocacy, and partnerships across government, academia, and international agencies.
Samy Abu Shawish, RN, MPH CERI Board of Directors
Samy Abu Shawish is a Quality and Patient Safety Specialist with over 15 years of experience across nursing, public health, and health-service improvement in Gaza. He currently serves with UNRWA's Health Department as a Nurse and Emergency Response Team Member and has led projects focused on quality improvement, patient safety culture, and emergency preparedness.
As a CERI Board Member, he is committed to advancing CERI's mission through strategic collaboration and community-facing cancer education, including Arabic-language content tailored to local needs.
Samy Abu Shawish is a Quality and Patient Safety Specialist with over 15 years of experience across nursing, public health, and health-service improvement in Gaza. He currently serves with UNRWA's Health Department as a Nurse and Emergency Response Team Member and has led projects focused on quality improvement, patient safety culture, and emergency preparedness.
As a CERI Board Member, he is committed to advancing CERI's mission through strategic collaboration and community-facing cancer education, including Arabic-language content tailored to local needs.
Boniface Takwe Njecko, BNS, MScPH CERI Board of Directors
Boniface is the supervisor of the "Know Your Numbers" (KYN) service in the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS). The award-winning initiatives show cased innovative approaches to combating obesity. The CBCHS received the UN Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) Award in 2025 for pioneering community-based obesity care in Cameroon, screening over 28,000 people through the 'Know Your Numbers' program and delivering long-term support in 19 specialized clinics.
He is the program manager of the NCD Prevention and Control Program (NCD-PCP) of the CBCHS at Nkwen Baptist Hospital, Cameroon, member of the advisory group of people with lived experience Africa NCD Network (ANN), and global advisory group member of the World Obesity Federation.
The CBCHS raises awareness on the risk factors and prevention of NCDs, a strategy that is highly applicable in resource-limited facilities. There are also many people doing things that increase their risk out of ignorance especially in hard to reach areas, our organization will be able to breach this gap in some of these places where our facilities are found in Cameroon.
Boniface is excited to join CERI as cancer is the second of the major NCDs causing mortality and morbidity globally. It causes a lot of suffering affecting all age groups. Many people mistake cancer for witchcraft as one of my neighbors did sometimes ago out of ignorance of its causes. Cancer has many risk factors that cause other NCDs i.e. shared risk factors, which if well addressed can also lead to drops in cancer incidence. One of these risk factors is obesity, which increases the risk of 13 cancers. Hence if obesity can be prevented or better managed most of those cancers can be prevented or better managed.
Boniface is the supervisor of the "Know Your Numbers" (KYN) service in the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS). The award-winning initiatives show cased innovative approaches to combating obesity. The CBCHS received the UN Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) Award in 2025 for pioneering community-based obesity care in Cameroon, screening over 28,000 people through the 'Know Your Numbers' program and delivering long-term support in 19 specialized clinics.
He is the program manager of the NCD Prevention and Control Program (NCD-PCP) of the CBCHS at Nkwen Baptist Hospital, Cameroon, member of the advisory group of people with lived experience Africa NCD Network (ANN), and global advisory group member of the World Obesity Federation.
The CBCHS raises awareness on the risk factors and prevention of NCDs, a strategy that is highly applicable in resource-limited facilities. There are also many people doing things that increase their risk out of ignorance especially in hard to reach areas, our organization will be able to breach this gap in some of these places where our facilities are found in Cameroon.
Boniface is excited to join CERI as cancer is the second of the major NCDs causing mortality and morbidity globally. It causes a lot of suffering affecting all age groups. Many people mistake cancer for witchcraft as one of my neighbors did sometimes ago out of ignorance of its causes. Cancer has many risk factors that cause other NCDs i.e. shared risk factors, which if well addressed can also lead to drops in cancer incidence. One of these risk factors is obesity, which increases the risk of 13 cancers. Hence if obesity can be prevented or better managed most of those cancers can be prevented or better managed.
Saltanat Sahin CERI Board of Directors
⚜We are so excited now to have Ms. Saltanat Sahin from Turkey join our International Board of Directors. Ms. Sahin has been passionately very active since the founding of our organization in 2013. We are truly very excited that she has accepted our offer to serve on our board. Thank you for being with us, Ms. Sahin, it is wonderful to have you! Your insights and suggestions have always been so valuable to our organizations – glad to have you onboard!
⚜Türkiye'den Sayın Saltanat Şahin'nin artık uluslararası yönetim kurulumuza katılmasından son derece mutluyuz. Saltanat Hanım, organizasyonumuzun kurulduğu 2013 yılından bu yana tutkuyla çok aktif. Yönetim kurulumuza katılma teklifimizi kabul ettiği için gerçekten çok mutlu ve heyecanlıyız. Bizimle birlikte olduğunuz için teşekkür ederiz Saltanat Hanım, iyi ki varsınız! Görüşleriniz ve önerileriniz organizasyonlarımız için her zaman çok değerli olmuştur, sizi aramızda görmekten mutluluk duyuyoruz!
⚜Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Frau Saltanat Sahin aus der Türkei nun unserem internationalen Vorstand beigetreten ist. Frau Sahin ist seit 2013, als unsere Organisation gegründet wurde, mit Leidenschaft sehr aktiv. Wir sind sehr glücklich und aufgeregt, dass er unser Angebot angenommen hat, unserem Vorstand beizutreten. Vielen Dank, Frau Sahin, schön, dass Sie bei uns sind! Ihre Ansichten und Vorschläge waren für unsere Organisationen immer sehr wertvoll, wir freuen uns, Sie an Bord zu haben!
⚜We are so excited now to have Ms. Saltanat Sahin from Turkey join our International Board of Directors. Ms. Sahin has been passionately very active since the founding of our organization in 2013. We are truly very excited that she has accepted our offer to serve on our board. Thank you for being with us, Ms. Sahin, it is wonderful to have you! Your insights and suggestions have always been so valuable to our organizations – glad to have you onboard!
⚜Türkiye'den Sayın Saltanat Şahin'nin artık uluslararası yönetim kurulumuza katılmasından son derece mutluyuz. Saltanat Hanım, organizasyonumuzun kurulduğu 2013 yılından bu yana tutkuyla çok aktif. Yönetim kurulumuza katılma teklifimizi kabul ettiği için gerçekten çok mutlu ve heyecanlıyız. Bizimle birlikte olduğunuz için teşekkür ederiz Saltanat Hanım, iyi ki varsınız! Görüşleriniz ve önerileriniz organizasyonlarımız için her zaman çok değerli olmuştur, sizi aramızda görmekten mutluluk duyuyoruz!
⚜Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Frau Saltanat Sahin aus der Türkei nun unserem internationalen Vorstand beigetreten ist. Frau Sahin ist seit 2013, als unsere Organisation gegründet wurde, mit Leidenschaft sehr aktiv. Wir sind sehr glücklich und aufgeregt, dass er unser Angebot angenommen hat, unserem Vorstand beizutreten. Vielen Dank, Frau Sahin, schön, dass Sie bei uns sind! Ihre Ansichten und Vorschläge waren für unsere Organisationen immer sehr wertvoll, wir freuen uns, Sie an Bord zu haben!
Dr. Yahya Awad, MD CERI Team Member
Dr. Awad is a medical doctor with experience in orthopedic medicine, emergency medicine and primary healthcare. He worked as an ER and Primary Health Doctor with UNRWA and UK-MED, delivering patient-centered care, accurate clinical diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment in high-pressure and humanitarian settings. Committed to continuous learning and improving healthcare outcomes.
He joined CERI Board out of a strong belief in the necessity of ensuring equality for all people in their right to treatment and providing everyone with a fair and equal opportunity to access healthcare.
Dr. Awad is a medical doctor with experience in orthopedic medicine, emergency medicine and primary healthcare. He worked as an ER and Primary Health Doctor with UNRWA and UK-MED, delivering patient-centered care, accurate clinical diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment in high-pressure and humanitarian settings. Committed to continuous learning and improving healthcare outcomes.
He joined CERI Board out of a strong belief in the necessity of ensuring equality for all people in their right to treatment and providing everyone with a fair and equal opportunity to access healthcare.
Dr. Abdalfatah Abughali, MD CERI Team Member
Dr. Abdalfatah Abughali is a dedicated Medical Officer with UNRWA, bringing over four years of experience in primary health care.
As a physician and a father of three, he is deeply committed to serving humanity and creating a healthier future for coming generations.
He joined the CERI Society driven by a profound sense of responsibility to help save the lives of cancer patients and to stand beside them in their most difficult moments, believing that compassionate care and collective effort can transform suffering into hope.
Dr. Abdalfatah Abughali is a dedicated Medical Officer with UNRWA, bringing over four years of experience in primary health care.
As a physician and a father of three, he is deeply committed to serving humanity and creating a healthier future for coming generations.
He joined the CERI Society driven by a profound sense of responsibility to help save the lives of cancer patients and to stand beside them in their most difficult moments, believing that compassionate care and collective effort can transform suffering into hope.
Lara Rüya Simsek CERI Youth Program Mentee, Research Team Member
My name is Ruya and I am a 12-year-old living in Canada. I’ve always had an interest in biology and medicine. I believe that becoming a volunteer for CERI will aid in cancer awareness and prevention, along with educating people about the disease in order to catch and effectively treat cancer in the earlier stages of its development. I am very excited to research and contribute to the CERI Cancer Education Program. I am particularly looking forward to covering topics like brain cancer, sarcoma/bone cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer awareness/prevention, nutrition and healthy eating.
My name is Ruya and I am a 12-year-old living in Canada. I’ve always had an interest in biology and medicine. I believe that becoming a volunteer for CERI will aid in cancer awareness and prevention, along with educating people about the disease in order to catch and effectively treat cancer in the earlier stages of its development. I am very excited to research and contribute to the CERI Cancer Education Program. I am particularly looking forward to covering topics like brain cancer, sarcoma/bone cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer awareness/prevention, nutrition and healthy eating.
In Memory: Our Advisor
Richard Klein†, MA, USA - Business Counselor
We are proud of our diverse past and current team of very talented volunteers and board members from around the globe!
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If you're interested in getting involved at any capacity, please check our open volunteering positions here.
For a complete list of volunteers and board members visit our annual reports.
Please donate to support our cause - help us continue with our free educational programs.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (CERI), is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (CERI), is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (CERI), is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
