SKIMS scientist among global researchers in cancer disparities study

Srinagar, May 04: In a significant stride linking Kashmir to global scientific research, Dr. Umer Majeed Khaja, a research scientist at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, has contributed to an international study addressing cancer disparities in resource-limited regions.

The study, titled “Advancing cancer research in resource-limited settings: perspectives from emerging voices across continents,” has been published in the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, bringing together 25 early-career scientists from 11 low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Khaja is notably the first and only Global Scholars-in-Training Award (GSITA) recipient from Jammu and Kashmir to be part of this collaboration.

The research highlights a stark reality, nearly 70 percent of the global cancer burden lies in low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare systems often struggle with limited infrastructure, funding gaps, and delayed diagnosis. Jammu and Kashmir mirrors these challenges, with rising cancer cases compounded by logistical and systemic constraints.

Despite these hurdles, the study underscores practical and scalable solutions such as telemedicine, mobile screening units, and digital health platforms. It also stresses the importance of locally tailored innovations over imported healthcare models—an approach seen as particularly relevant for geographically complex regions like Kashmir.

Dr. Khaja’s research focuses on cancer biology, especially gastrointestinal cancers, with work spanning biomarker discovery, translational oncology, and natural product-based therapeutics. His contributions aim at developing cost-effective, region-specific interventions that can improve early detection and treatment outcomes.

Earlier this year, he was selected for the prestigious AACR Global Scholars-in-Training Award and presented his research at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 held in San Diego, reflecting his growing engagement with the international scientific community, reported news agency Kashmir Dot Com.

Beyond his research, Dr. Khaja is associated with leading global organizations including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the European Society of Medical Oncology, and serves as a peer reviewer for reputed international journals.

The study emphasizes that reducing cancer disparities requires not only scientific progress but also inclusive research frameworks, sustained investment, and stronger global collaboration. For Jammu and Kashmir, it highlights the urgent need to build local research capacity and strengthen healthcare systems.