Dr. Hind Rafei | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Research Article Award

📚 Education

Dr. Hind Rafei 🇱🇧 has a stellar academic background, graduating with a BS in Biology (High Distinction) and an MD (Alpha Omega Alpha) from the American University of Beirut 🎓. She expanded her expertise with a Master’s in Cancer Biology and Immunology from MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Graduate School (GPA 4.0) 📖. Her education reflects a perfect blend of rigorous clinical training and cutting-edge laboratory research. Additional postgraduate fellowships at the NIH and MD Anderson in CAR-NK cell therapy enriched her scientific vision 🔬. This elite training equipped Dr. Rafei with multidisciplinary knowledge spanning internal medicine, hematology-oncology, cancer immunotherapy, and cellular therapy design. Her education showcases her commitment to bridging lab research with real-world cancer care, positioning her as a role model for clinician-scientists globally 🌍.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Rafei’s professional experience is a testament to her dedication to translational cancer research and patient care 🏥. She trained in Internal Medicine at The George Washington University, followed by Hematology and Medical Oncology at MD Anderson, where she also advanced CAR-NK cell research 🔬. Currently an Assistant Professor in Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy and Associate Director of Education, she mentors fellows and leads research initiatives 🤝. Her dual faculty roles in Immunology and Cancer Biology highlight her cross-disciplinary impact. From pioneering lab-based NK cell engineering to participating in early-phase clinical trials, Dr. Rafei demonstrates seamless integration of bench-to-bedside research. Her leadership on institutional committees and career expos further underscores her commitment to collaborative science and mentorship 📈.

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Rafei’s research passion centers on developing next-generation engineered CAR-NK cell therapies to combat treatment-resistant solid tumors 🧬. She explores how modulating immunometabolism and targeting the tumor microenvironment can enhance cellular therapies’ potency and persistence. Her projects span renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, pushing the frontiers of off-the-shelf NK cell immunotherapies 🔍. With a focus on genetic engineering, epigenetic reprogramming, and metabolic fitness, Dr. Rafei bridges cutting-edge molecular biology with translational medicine. She actively pursues novel combination strategies, like pairing CAR-NK cells with HIF2a inhibition, to overcome immune resistance. Her research embodies innovation with a clear goal: safer, scalable, and more effective immunotherapies that reshape the landscape of solid tumor treatment 🌟.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Rafei’s excellence is highlighted by numerous prestigious honors, including the ASCO Young Investigator Award, Clifton D. Howe Award, and multiple institutional merit grants 🏅. She is a two-time Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society inductee, demonstrating both academic distinction and leadership 🎖️. Recognitions like the Joseph E. Johnson Leadership Award and institutional research fellowships underscore her dual strength as a clinician and researcher. Her selection for competitive training workshops and peer review programs reflects her growing influence in the cancer research community ✨. These accolades validate her innovative contributions to cellular immunotherapy and her dedication to advancing the field through mentorship and clinical trials. Each award strengthens her credibility as a promising leader in cancer immunology 🔑.

🧪 Research Skills

Dr. Rafei brings an impressive portfolio of research skills spanning lab and clinical domains 🔬. Her expertise includes genetic engineering, CRISPR-Cas9 editing, NK cell immunometabolism, xenograft modeling, and preclinical validation of novel cellular therapies 🧬. She leads multi-institutional translational protocols, writes successful grant applications, and manages complex projects across large collaborative teams 📊. Her ability to design and translate laboratory findings into early-phase clinical trials sets her apart as a clinician-scientist. Skilled in immunology, tumor biology, and innovative protocol development, she stays at the forefront of adoptive cell therapy research. Her collaborations with top mentors and global research networks showcase her talent for bridging diverse expertise into actionable breakthroughs, ensuring her work remains impactful and clinically relevant 🌍.

📄 Publication Details

Title: Role of baseline echocardiography prior to initiation of anthracycline-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
Authors: Mina A., Rafei H., Khalil M., Hassoun Y., Nasser Z., Tfayli A.
Year: 2015
Citation: BMC Cancer. 2015 Jan; 15(10). PMID: 25605569
Source: BMC Cancer

Title: Chemotherapy induced inflammation due to cosmetic oils: A case report
Authors: Hassoun Y., Khoury N.J., Rafei H., Mina A., Tfayli A.
Year: 2015
Citation: Case Reports in Internal Medicine. 2015 Jul; 2(3): 49-51
Source: Case Reports in Internal Medicine

Title: Pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusions: Outcome and predictors of success
Authors: Rafei H., Jabak S., Mina A., Tfayli A.
Year: 2015
Citation: Integrative Cancer Science and Therapeutics. 2015 Sep; 2(5): 216-221
Source: Integrative Cancer Science and Therapeutics

Title: Beer Potomania: A Challenging Case of Hyponatremia
Authors: Rafei H., Yunus R., Khurana P.
Year: 2016
Citation: Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2016 Sep; 6(4): 123-126
Source: Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Title: Perspective of Lebanese oncologists on the symptom burden among adult cancer patients
Authors: Rafei H., Khalil M., Hassoun Y., Mina A., Nasser Z., Tfayli A.
Year: 2016
Citation: Lebanese Medical Journal. 2016 Dec; 64(4): 200-204. PMID: 29845844
Source: Lebanese Medical Journal

Title: Prevalence of EGFR and ALK Mutations in Lung Adenocarcinomas in the Levant Area – a Prospective Analysis
Authors: Tfayli A., Rafei H., Mina A., Khalil M., Fakhreddine N., Mahfouz R., et al.
Year: 2017
Citation: Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2017 Jan; 18(1): 107-114. PMID: 28240017
Source: Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Title: Combination targeted pulmonary hypertension therapy in the resolution of dasatinib-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Jose A., Rafei H., Ahari J.
Year: 2017
Citation: Pulmonary Circulation. 2017 Jan; 7(4): 803-807. PMID: 28644066
Source: Pulmonary Circulation

Title: A rare breed: Wild-type BRAF and IgHV expression in a 29 year old lady with classical hairy cell leukemia
Authors: Hossain A., Rafei H., Jariwala A., El-Shami K.
Year: 2017
Citation: Leukemia Research Reports. 2017 Jan; 7: 20-22. PMID: 28275540
Source: Leukemia Research Reports

Title: Immune-based Therapies for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Rafei H., El-Bahesh E., Finianos A., Nassereddine S., Tabbara I.
Year: 2017
Citation: Anticancer Research. 2017 Feb; 37(2): 377-387. PMID: 28179283
Source: Anticancer Research

Title: Disseminated intravascular coagulation-like reaction following rituximab infusion
Authors: Rafei H., Nassereddine S., Garcia I.F.
Year: 2017
Citation: BMJ Case Reports. 2017 Feb; pii: bcr2016218443. PMID: 28179388
Source: BMJ Case Reports

✅ Conclusion

In summary, Dr. Hind Rafei is a dynamic physician-scientist whose elite education 📚, robust professional experience 💼, cutting-edge research 🔬, decorated honors 🏆, and advanced lab-to-clinic skills 🧪 uniquely position her as a trailblazer in cancer immunotherapy. Her pioneering work with engineered CAR-NK cells is shaping the future of solid tumor treatments, tackling critical barriers like immunosuppression and tumor heterogeneity 🔑. Through impactful leadership, mentorship, and groundbreaking clinical trials, Dr. Rafei is transforming innovation into hope for patients worldwide 🌍. Her unwavering dedication, collaborative spirit, and relentless pursuit of safer, scalable therapies make her a deserving candidate for any top-tier recognition celebrating research excellence and translational impact ⭐.