MD, MSCR
Associate Professor, Hematology and Oncology
Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Program Leader
UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC Breast Center
Breast Cancer Research Program
Meet Yara Abdou
Area of Interest
Yara Abdou, MD, MSCR, specializes in the treatment of both early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. With extensive training and expertise in clinical trial development and implementation, she currently leads the breast cancer clinical trial program at UNC Lineberger. Her research focuses on developing novel therapies for different breast cancer subtypes, collaborating closely with basic and translational scientists to investigate the breast tumor microenvironment and identify strategies to enhance treatment approaches.
Additionally, Dr. Abdou’s research addresses racial disparities in tumor biology and immune microenvironments, with the goal of improving clinical outcomes for minority women with breast cancer. As both a clinician and researcher, her aim is to improve treatment strategies, while minimizing suffering and morbidity for those affected by the disease.
Awards and Honors
- Clinical Investigator Leadership Award, Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Program, 2026
- Merit Award, ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation, 2024
- Career Development Award, Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Program, 2023
- Grant from the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, 2020
- Merit Award, ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation, 2020
- JCO-ASCO’s Editorial Fellow, 2019
- AACR Associate Member Award, 2019
- ESMO Young Oncologist Merit Award, 2019
- Thomas F. Frawley, MD Research Fellowship award, 2019
- Participation in ASCO/AACR Workshop on Methods in Clinical Cancer Research, 2019
- Outstanding Research award at University of New Mexico, 2017
- Dean’s list awards, 2008-2012
- Top Academic Achiever at the Annual Honors Convocation, 2006-2008
News and Stories
UNC Lineberger members to present at American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting
UNC Lineberger members will share their latest research findings and clinical insights during the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago, taking place May 30 – June 3.
UNC School of Medicine oncologist named recipient of Winn Clinical Investigator Leadership Award
Yara Abdou, MD, is among the third cohort of physician researchers to receive the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Clinical Investigator Leadership Award.
