International Cholangiocarcinoma Research Network (ICRN) Investigators' Spotlight
Senior: Nilofer Azad, MD
What does being part of the ICRN or affiliated with CCF mean to you?
I came into the cholangiocarcinoma research community many years into my oncology career, and have found it transformative. This research community is small, growing, and mighty. It is made up of brilliant clinicians and scientists who work together in a manner that elevates all the work they each are doing, in the service of patients. This should not be uncommon, but too often is. In the ICRN/CCF world, we are all family that want the best for each other’s work and our patients. I’m lucky to be a part of it.
As a senior researcher, what advice would you give to early-career professionals?
Always keep the mission in mind and drown out all the noise. Our North Star is taking excellent care of patients while extending their lives – we are lucky to be in a profession where we get to do that every day. You have joined a community that cares about the next generation of researchers; use us and rely on us to help propel your work forward.
What message of hope would you share with patients about your work?
This era in cancer research and cancer care is extraordinarily fulfilling, because we are in a time where technology is aligning with biological understanding of cholangiocarcinoma, which allows our work to have meaningful impact in improving survival for our patients. More drugs have been approved in the last 5 years then in all the years prior, with many more to come. Now is the time to look forward with hope and dedication and advocate for our patients and research.
Fun Question: What’s the last movie, book, or concert you enjoyed?
I just went to the Coldplay concert in Nashville with my 16-year-old daughter as part of our annual mother-daughter concert series. My most recent book was “Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellor. It is about three sisters and what happens to their lives a year after losing their fourth sister, who was the glue that held them all together—heart-breaking and heart-warming all in one. I, a book about three sisters and what happens to their lives a year after losing their 4th sister, who was the glue that held them all together –heart-breaking and heart-warming all in one. And saw F-1 with the family and loved it (or maybe it was just Brad Pitt).
Junior: Ghada Nouairia, PhD
What does being part of the ICRN or affiliated with CCF mean to you?
Being part of the International Cholangiocarcinoma Research Network (ICRN) and affiliated with CCF feels like being adopted into a family of passionate missionaries who aim to improve the lives of people affected by CCA. It means access to a vibrant and supportive community. CCA is a rare but devastating disease, and the only way to progress science faster and benefit lives is through collaboration. The CCF is not just an affiliation for me; it’s a global alliance that brings hope, purpose, and the strength to push the boundaries of research.
What does being part of the ICRN or affiliated with CCF mean to you?
Being part of the International Cholangiocarcinoma Research Network (ICRN) and affiliated with CCF feels like being adopted into a family of passionate missionaries who aim to improve the lives of people affected by CCA. It means access to a vibrant and supportive community. CCA is a rare but devastating disease, and the only way to progress science faster and benefit lives is through collaboration. The CCF is not just an affiliation for me; it’s a global alliance that brings hope, purpose, and the strength to push the boundaries of research.
As a junior investigator, how has getting involved with CCF helped your career?
CCF gave my research a second chance. My project on CCA was pending due to a lack of funding, a challenge many early-career researchers face, especially when working on a rare and under-recognized cancer. Just when it seemed the project might fade away, CCF stepped in and brought it back to life. The day I received the news about the grant, I went straight back to the lab, fueled by renewed hope and deep gratitude. Thanks to CCF, this project will continue to honor those who donated their samples and push early detection of BTC forward.
What message of hope would you share with CCA patients about your work?
Our lab is working hard to make sure CCA is no longer a silent or late-diagnosed disease. By using artificial intelligence and novel technologies (DNA methylation analysis), we’re working to catch BTC earlier, giving a better shot at timely, effective, and more targeted treatment. You’re not alone, and science is catching up. There’s a whole global team, fueled by determination and data, fighting for better outcomes every single day.
Fun Question: What’s the last movie, book, or concert you enjoyed?
The last book I read was The Symbolic Species, a fascinating exploration of how language and symbolic thought shaped the human brain. I borrowed this book from a special friend who not only introduced me to The Symbolic Species but also to Sweden, opening up a new world, both culturally and intellectually. That moment set me on the path to becoming a computational oncologist, blending symbolic systems, biology, and technology in real life. The last movie I enjoyed was Enigma, because apparently, even in my downtime, I gravitate toward codebreaking and complexity!