Prince Talal bin Mohammed Honors 2026 King Hussein Cancer Research Award Winners

Prince Talal bin Mohammed honored the 2026 King Hussein Cancer Research Award winners on behalf of King Abdullah II. The ceremony recognized international scientific contributions to oncology and was attended by Princess Ghadeha Talal, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center.

Global recognition for cancer research

The 2026 award selection process involved hundreds of applicants representing more than 26 countries. This international competition highlights the global scale of oncological investigation and the diverse geographic reach of the program. The King Hussein Cancer Research Award was established in 2020 to honor the memory of King Hussein bin Talal.

Several prominent researchers received high-level distinctions during the event. Dr. Nizar Tanir from the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas received the Special Excellence in Scientific Research award for his work regarding kidney cancer. Professor Amer Zaidan from Yale New Haven Cancer Center was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in the International Track. Professor Imam Waked from Menoufia University received the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Regional Track.

The ceremony also highlighted emerging talent in the field of cancer research. Dr. Maryam Shalabi from the Netherlands Cancer Institute received the Emerging Researcher Award in the International Track. Professor Omnia Atallah from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport received the Emerging Researcher Award in the Regional Track. Additionally, Dr. Zaid Abdel Rahman from the King Hussein Cancer Center and Dr. Philip Hussein Qubaisi from the Lebanese American University were awarded Promising Researcher grants.

Excellence in clinical cancer care

Beyond individual research achievements, the ceremony recognized institutional excellence in medical programs. The Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cellular Therapy, and CAR-T program at the King Hussein Cancer Center received the Professional Development Program Award for Excellence in Cancer Care. This recognition follows the center's significant clinical output in specialized hematological treatments.

The King Hussein Cancer Center performs over 200 bone marrow transplantations annually. These procedures maintain success rates exceeding 75%. Princess Ghadeha Talal expressed pride in celebrating Arab scientists whose discoveries can begin in the Arab world for the benefit of patients.

The awards serve to incentivize scientific advancement and clinical precision in the fight against cancer. By recognizing researchers from diverse regions, the program fosters a global network of expertise dedicated to improving patient outcomes through innovation and specialized medical programs.

Glossary

• King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center — The King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center is an organization managed by a Board of Trustees composed of business and social leaders. It operates the Jordan Breast Cancer Program, a national initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality through early detection services.
• MD Anderson Cancer Center — The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a comprehensive cancer center and autonomous university of the University of Texas System. It serves as both a degree-granting academic institution and a cancer treatment and research center.
• Netherlands Cancer Institute — The Netherlands Cancer Institute is a non-governmental organization. It is one of several organizations for which Borst served as a nonprofit director for supervisory boards.
• Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport — The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport is a private university in Egypt.