The Society of Hematologic Oncology is proud to highlight some of the exceptional clinicians and researchers participating in the SOHO 2026 Young Investigator Program.
These emerging leaders are driving innovation across clinical trials, translational research, and patient care.
What are you excited about for this year’s SOHO Annual Meeting?
There are two things: (1) Now that I’m in Houston, I’m going to attend locally, which is a huge improvement from the travel fatigue I previously experienced; and (2) I did a project last year, which I submitted on behalf of my junior fellows back in Pakistan. Going from being a mentor to now mentoring someone who is coming in to present our work at this year’s meeting is very exciting.
SOHO has had a huge impact on physicians in Pakistan, especially in their training community. I remember the first time I came to the meeting, it was wonderfully managed, and the second year I already knew what to expect, so it was even better. The other thing I’m excited about are the lymphoma sessions. There are wonderful talks, especially regarding CAR-T and BiTE sequencing; those are the things I’m actually very excited about.
What session are you most looking forward to?
I am honored and excited to attend as a Young Investigator, and I am particularly interested in the MDS and leukemia sessions, where I hope to learn about emerging targeted therapies, novel drug combinations, and practice-changing clinical trial results.
I also look forward to exploring the latest abstracts; connecting with fellow trainees, program directors, and mentors; and gaining a clearer perspective on the future of hematologic oncology. This scholarship is a meaningful opportunity to strengthen my development as an aspiring hematologist-oncologist.
What are you looking forward to at the SOHO Annual Meeting?
I’m looking forward to meeting people who are interested in different aspects of hematologic malignancies. I’m also looking forward to meeting the other scholarship awardees so we can share our experiences and see which pathways or projects we may be able to collaborate on.
What are you presenting on this year at the meeting?
I’m sharing a case report describing a patient with a rare FGFR1-rearranged myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm who presented with an unusual clinical picture that initially obscured the diagnosis. We treated the patient upfront with pemigatinib, and the patient achieved a rapid complete hematologic response and is currently waiting to undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation.
The case adds to prior evidence supporting targeted therapy for this rare, aggressive malignancy. This is just a single case report, but it also goes along with emerging literature showing good outcomes with pemigatinib. We are looking forward to sharing it.
What session are you most looking forward to?
I am looking forward to the sessions on novel cellular therapies, particularly CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, as well as advances in leukemia and lymphoma. These areas are rapidly transforming the treatment of hematologic malignancies, and I am excited to learn about the latest research and how these advances can translate into better patient outcomes.
What does it mean to attend the SOHO Annual Meeting as a Young Investigator?
Attending as a Young Investigator is a great honor and an important milestone in my career. As an internal medicine resident pursuing a future in hematology-oncology, this opportunity allows me to learn from leaders in the field, share ideas with fellow researchers, and build collaborations that will help me improve patient care. This scholarship motivates me to continue pursuing meaningful clinical and research contributions.
What do you like most about attending the SOHO Annual Meeting?
I really like how focused the meeting is. Compared with larger conferences like ASH and ASCO, it’s much easier to interact with faculty, meet people, and build connections. It’s less overwhelming, and I feel like you learn a lot more, continue learning, and connect with other trainees and experts in the field.
What session are you most looking forward to?
This year will be my third year attending SOHO, and each year has been an invaluable experience. Before starting internal medicine residency, I spent almost three years focused on research in aggressive B-cell lymphomas, and I am now an internal medicine resident with the goal of pursuing a fellowship in hematology/oncology.
When I first attended SOHO as a research fellow, I was impressed by how well organized and educational the sessions were. As someone early in my training, I found the presentations easy to follow while providing in-depth discussions of recent developments in the field.
During my second year at SOHO, while I was in residency, I attended sessions across different hematological malignancies to broaden my knowledge beyond my primary research area. I found this especially helpful as I transitioned from a primarily research-focused role into clinical training and began preparing for fellowship.
What does it mean to attend the SOHO Annual Meeting as a Young Investigator?
Attending the SOHO Annual Meeting as a Young Investigator is a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. It inspires me to pursue impactful research and reminds me of the collective effort required to advance treatments and improve patients’ lives.
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