Our Team of Experts
Dr. Hampartsoum Barsoumian, Ph.D.
Dr. Hampartsoum Barsoumian (nicknamed HB) is the Founder of Research Guided Cancer Treatment Consults. Dr. Barsoumian received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. His research was primarily focused on the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines and immune adjuvants bridging innate and adaptive immunity to eliminate tumors. Prior to that, he completed his Master’s Degree at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, with emphasis on studying innate immune stimulators to boost anti-tumor defense mechanisms.
Dr. Barsoumian's passion towards cancer research and his sincere drive to help cancer patients led him to join The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2016, one of the best cancer centers Nationwide. While at MD Anderson, Dr. Barsoumian completed his Postdoctoral Fellowship and joined the institution as a faculty member. Dr. Barsoumian is a well-published author of over 35 scientific manuscripts in peer reviewed journals, covering both preclinical and clinical studies, and is a holder of several patents.
His current research interests include combining different radiation strategies with immunotherapy to promote systemic/abscopal anti-tumor effects, as well as fine-tuning radiation to modulate the tumor microenvironment to overcome resistance to therapy. Dr. Barsoumian also works closely with pharmaceutical entities and is well informed of new advances in drug discovery.
In three words, his friends describe him as passionate, caring, and knowledgeable.
Dr. Nahum Puebla, Ph.D.
Dr. Nahum Puebla serves as the Chief Scientific Adviser at Research Guided Cancer Treatment Consults, where he holds a prominent position driving scientific advancements in the field. Dr. Puebla earned his Master of Science in endocrinology and later pursued a Ph.D. in Comparative Immunology at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, USA.
With an impressive career spanning nearly two decades, Dr. Puebla has been an integral part of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2004, demonstrating unwavering dedication to cancer research. His primary research interests revolve around investigating innovative therapeutic combinations targeting solid tumors, encompassing the synergistic effects of low-dose radiotherapy and cell therapy.
Dr. Puebla's prior work encompassed an intensive examination of the molecular mechanisms governing DNA repair in the context of lymphocyte development. His research has also delved into the molecular ramifications of proinflammatory bioactive compounds. Moreover, he possesses a profound understanding of CAR T cell therapy, ranging from the design of vector constructs to the comprehensive study of correlative analyses among patients undergoing CAR T cell therapy.
Recognized as an accomplished researcher, Dr. Puebla boasts an impressive publication record, with over 40 scientific peer-reviewed manuscripts spanning basic and preclinical research and clinical studies. Additionally, he has contributed to various book chapters, sharing his invaluable insights with the scientific community. Dr. Puebla's dedication to scientific excellence is further exemplified by his ownership of several patents, demonstrating his innovation and commitment to advancing cancer therapy.
Dr. Nahum Puebla's multifaceted expertise, coupled with his dedication towards discovering novel treatment methods and contributing to scientific literature, will persistently push forward progress in the battle against cancer.
Dr. Fadi El Rami, Ph.D.
Dr. Fadi El Rami is the Principal Consultant at the Research Guided Cancer Treatment Consults. Dr. El Rami earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology with distinction from the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Virginia, USA. Based on his record academic and research performance, Dr. El Rami was inducted as a permanent member of the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Nomination, where membership is granted only to the top 1% of graduate students who are outstanding scholars and excellent leaders in the School of Medicine.
Dr. El Rami joined Stanford University where he was mentored by the visionary Professor Dr. Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, the Chairperson of Radiology department who has an impressive record with over 900 publications and 77,000 citations by the scientific community, reflecting innovation, scientific leadership, and commitment to quality research in various imaging areas. Dr. El Rami’s training and research are interdisciplinary, harnessing cutting-edge technologies for deeper understanding of anti-tumor defense mechanisms and developing genetically engineered cells, namely Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) cells against tumors. His work was reviewed by Nobel laureates, published in top tier journals, and cited by Dr. Anthony Fauci. His current work focuses on understanding and biomanufacturing of immunotherapeutic agents with promising clinical outcome against different tumor types.
Dr. El Rami is brilliant and hard working with a passion for scientific discoveries that save patients’ lives.
Dr. Hong Zhao, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Zhao is a member of our Scientific Advisory Board; graduated from Shandong Medical University in 1997, and obtained his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Fudan University in 2003. Dr. Zhao worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Montreal (Canada) and University of Louisville (USA). Dr. Zhao has a comprehensive background and specific expertise in cancer research with more than 10 years of research experience. He is also a microsurgeon with a vast hands-on experience in preclinical diabetes models and developing new therapeutics to limit the onset and progression of type-1 diabetes.
Dr. Zhao’s Research interests include: Investigating the contributors and causalities of tumor incidence and metastases; Cancer Prevention; Autoimmunity; Immunotherapy; Transplantation; and Vaccinology.
Our Amazing Volunteers
Rebecca Liu: As a dedicated volunteer in Research Guided Cancer Treatment Consults, my passion for helping cancer patients drives me to make a positive impact in their lives. Witnessing the immense challenges that individuals and their families face during their cancer journey has motivated me to become a reliable source of support. I approach every interaction with warmth, respect, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered care. Together, let us make a difference in the fight against cancer and provide a ray of hope for those who need it most.
Viken Barsoumian: Capitalizing on my engineering knowledge, I leverage my technical expertise in areas such as researching, information processing, and analytical thinking to explore a broad range of domains, including the field of medical research. The knowledge and skills I have acquired enable me to approach challenges with a systematic and data-driven mindset. Along with my drive to help cancer patients, I try my best to explore new avenues of discovery and provide fresh perspectives.
Thomas Riad: Thomas graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Houston, Texas. Currently working in cancer research and immunotherapy. He is planning to attend Medical School next year (2024).