Professor Aya El Helali is a clinician scientist with a background in medical oncology and translational research. She has received several accolades for her significant contributions to the field. Recently, she joined the Department of Clinical Oncology at the University of Hong Kong and is also a co-chair of the HKU-HKSH MTB.

Professor El Helali earned her MB BCh BAO designation from the National University of Ireland Galway in 2008, where she graduated with first-class honors and gold medals in Medicine and Surgery. She received her PhD from Queen's University Belfast, where she was awarded the Sir Allen McClay Clinical Research Fellowship. Her doctoral research focused on biomarker development, while her postdoctoral fellowship focused on adaptive immunity.

Professor El Helali's work in translational research has led to significant advancements in understanding the distinct molecular characteristics of ovarian cancer, which may impact the effectiveness of anti-angiogenics. In collaboration with the HKU-HKSH MTB, she has continued to promote personalized medicine. Her role in developing the first-in-human phase I clinical trial in Hong Kong demonstrates her commitment and dedication to advancing medical oncology and translational research. oncology and translational research background and has been honored with several accolades for her significant contributions to the field. She recently joined the Department of Clinical Oncology at the University of Hong Kong and is also a co-chair of the HKU-HKSH MTB. Professor El Helali received her MB BCh BAO designation from the National University of Ireland Galway in 2008, where she graduated with first-class honors and gold medals in Medicine and Surgery. She received her PhD from Queen's University Belfast, where she was awarded the Sir Allen McClay Clinical Research Fellowship. Her doctoral research focused on biomarker development, and her postdoctoral fellowship focused on adaptive immunity.

Professor El Helali's groundbreaking work in translational research has led to significant advances in understanding the distinct molecular characteristics of ovarian cancer, potentially influencing the impact of anti-angiogenics. In collaboration with the HKU-HKSH MTB, she has continued to drive personalized medicine. Her pivotal role in developing the first-in-human phase I clinical trial in Hong Kong further underscores her commitment and dedication to advancing medical oncology and translational research.

Prof. Aya El Helali research interests include understanding innate and adaptive immunity in solid cancers and adopting a personalized approach to identify novel drug combinations by integrating patient genomic data, thereby streamlining novel personalized therapeutics into clinical use by designing biomarker stratified phase I/II clinical trials. She has received the ECCO-AACR-EORTC-ESMO certificate of accreditation for Clinical Cancer Research experience in early phase clinical trials which led to the development of the ALM201 first-in-human phase I clinical trial.