Lebanon – Dr. Fadlo Khoury, President of the American University of Beirut (AUB) and a world-renowned Lebanese physician and cancer researcher, has been included in the list of the 100 most influential figures in oncology for 2025.
The list was released by OncoDaily, a global platform, and features leading figures who have played pivotal roles in advancing health equity worldwide. Other notable names include Bill Gates, Catherine Middleton, Princess Ghida Talal of Jordan, and Princess Adila bint Abdullah Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
AUB highlighted that Dr. Khoury’s inclusion reflects his long-standing leadership and pioneering contributions in cancer research, education, and medical leadership. This achievement represents a step toward global efforts to advance cancer care worldwide.
OncoDaily praised Dr. Khoury for his commitment to academic excellence and community service. They noted his leadership through major crises, including Lebanon’s economic collapse, the Beirut port explosion, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023–2024 conflict.
His efforts also include enhancing AUB’s global standing as a health and academic institution, overseeing the acquisition of a medical center, improving national cancer guidelines, and advancing tobacco control policies in Lebanon.
The platform also recognized Dr. Khoury’s role in modernizing the healthcare system, including implementing the EPIC electronic medical records system and joining the COSMOS network, the first institution outside the U.S. to do so.
Previously, Dr. Khoury held academic positions at Emory University, taught at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and served as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Cancer from 2011 to 2021.
Dr. Khoury said: "My personal mission over four decades has been to treat cancer patients and study the disease, its biology, prevention, and treatment. Even in administrative roles, I continued focusing on public health and prevention through anti-smoking and cancer prevention programs”.
He added: "It has been an honor to mentor generations of outstanding scientists, many of whom are now making significant contributions. Their work has helped increase five-year survival rates for these diseases to over 70% in the U.S. and other developed countries. It has truly been a rewarding career”.
Dr. Khoury emphasized that his nomination among the world’s leading change-makers in cancer care reflects his ongoing commitment to health equity, ensuring that cancer care is based on scientific excellence, equality, and accessibility, core values of AUB’s academic and medical mission.
He continued: "This recognition goes beyond personal achievement. It highlights the global leadership role that an American academic institution rooted in Lebanon can play despite ongoing challenges. AUB remains committed to advancing health, research, and service to local and global communities”.
Throughout his career, Dr. Khoury led oncology departments at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), served on evaluation committees for ASCO and the American Cancer Society, and contributed to the National Cancer Institute.
He has received numerous awards, including the Rosenthal Prize from the American Association for Cancer Research, the WHO Tobacco-Free Award, and the Joseph W. Cullen Award from the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2025.
OncoDaily is a global media platform specializing in oncology, publishing the latest research, clinical practice updates, and innovations in cancer care. Its list of the 100 most influential figures honors leaders who have advanced oncology practices, research, advocacy, philanthropy, leadership, and education worldwide.
