MD
Assistant Professor, Hematology and Oncology
Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Program Leader
UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC Breast Center
Breast Cancer
Meet Yara Abdou
Area of Interest
Yara Abdou, MD, 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
- Merit Award, ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation, 2024
- Career Development Award, Robert A. Winn Diversity 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
Experimental CAR-M immunotherapy shows promise in solid tumors
UNC Lineberger researchers report their findings that an experimental immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor macrophages (CAR-M) is safe and helps activate the body’s immune system against certain solid cancers.
International breast cancer meeting features UNC Lineberger research
More than 10,000 cancer researchers, clinicians and patient advocates from across the globe are expected to attend this year’s San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The meeting will feature presentations by several UNC faculty members and trainees.
