Young Leaders 2019/2020

This cohort of Young Leaders includes a diverse group of individuals who have a shared goal of improving global cancer control. 

Dr Felipe Roitberg is an alumn of the 2019/2020 cohort of UICC Young Leaders, here at the 2019 World Cancer Leaders' Summit

This cohort works across multiple levels of cancer care from prevention, screening and diagnosis to treatment, support and palliative care and focus on a variety of subjects including womens cancer, smoking prevention, access to medicines and artificial intelligence. Scroll down to see each Young Leader's indivudal profile.

This cohort faced significant challenges during their year as Young Leaders due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, they continued to work towards their career goals, developing solutions to the obstacles they faced, showing leadership and creating opportunities to collaborate with both the UICC network and their fellow Young Leaders. A key achievement for this group was co-writing an article titled "Adapting Cancer Civil Society Organizations to Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccinations in People Living With Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries" which was subequently published in JCO Global Oncology in July 2021.

Alexandra Tamas

Minister Adviser at the Ministry of Health of Romania focussing on the National Cancer Control Plan and pharmaceuticals. Previously, she has worked on health policy and tobacco cessation in both the private and public sector.

Ahmed Hefnawy

A Gynaecologic Oncology Consultant and Lecturer at Women’s Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. He aims to improve access to cancer care services in his region and has also been selected this year as an AORTIC African Cancer Leader.

Felipe Roitberg

A Brazilian Clinical Oncologist at Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo whose professional ambition is to have an impact on cancer patients regionally and globally through sustainable cancer care policies that will fill the gaps regarding UHC and cancer.

Florence Manjuh

A Nurse and Supervisor of the Women’s Health Programme at  the largest cervical and breast screening program in Cameroon run by Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services. She is also Cameroon's focal point for the ECHO project.

Ishtar Espejo Castella

The Director of Fundación Aladina, a private foundation dedicated to helping children and teenagers with cancer. Ishtar has collaborated with production companies to produce films that have since raised €3m for childhood cancers.

Kingsley Ndoh

A Clinical Assistant Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington and the Project Director for a government initiated Public Private Partnership-Cancer Center in Ondo State, Nigeria. Kingsley is keen to explore how technology can leapfrog health care gaps in cancer control.

Murallitharan Munisamy

A Public Health Physician & Medical Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. An important goal which he hopes to pursue as a Young Leader is to strengthen the relationships between the 10 ASEAN nations with a focus on cancer control.

Omolola Salako

A Researcher, Innovator, Cancer Advocate, self-defined Oncopreneur and founder of Sebeccly Cancer Care and the Oncopadi app, Africa’s first Digital Cancer Clinic. Her career goal is to leverage technology and artificial intelligence to advance cancer care in Africa.

Latest news and blog articles about Young Leaders

Innovations in cancer care bring health closer to patients in LMICs

Medical practitioner looks into microscope, to suggest the power of and need for innovation to reduce the burden of cancer
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Investing in cancer control to save lives

Dr Felipe Roitberg is an alumn of the 2019/2020 cohort of UICC Young Leaders, here at the 2019 World Cancer Leaders' Summit
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Winners of the 2020 Best CEO and World Cancer Day Spirit Awards

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Holding up the end of the line: our role as cancer civil society organisations

NCSM covid response providing PPE to health workers
By:
Dr Murallitharan Munisamy
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Comprehensive cancer care in the Middle East

Ahmed Hefnawy, Young Leader, King Hussein Cancer Center, Middle East, Womens Health
By:
Dr Ahmed Hefnawy
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Lessons learned from Maputo, Mozambique

Florence Manjust, AORTIC, ECHO, Mozambique, Princess Dina Mired, Young Leader, Cancer Nurse
By:
Florence Manjuh
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Young Leader at workshop

The Young Leaders programme is a unique opportunity to be part of a global network of inspiring and ambitious young leaders in cancer control.

As of 2023, there are 55 professionals who have completed the Young Leader programme and are now part of the Young Leaders Alumni, a community of change-makers in cancer control.

Last update

Tuesday 14 March 2023

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