Impact Stories

Jawad Fares, MD (BS Biology ’12, MD ’17), is a Lebanese physician-scientist who has made significant contributions to the fields of neuroscience and medicine. Born in Madrid, Spain, and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Dr. Fares reflects on his formative years spent in these dynamic cities, noting, “I had the privilege of experiencing the vibrant cultures of two dynamic cities during my formative years.” Driven by a profound desire to excel academically, he attributes his passion to his parents, who are both academics.

While pursuing his MD at the American University of Beirut (AUB), Dr. Fares also completed a master of science in neural sciences at the Lebanese University. After obtaining his MD, he completed a 4-year postdoctoral research fellowship in neuro-oncology at Northwestern University and furthered his education with a postgraduate program in cancer biology and therapeutics at Harvard Medical School. Today, he is a resident neurosurgeon at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Fares’ academic journey began at the International College (IC) in Beirut. Reflecting on his time there, he says, “IC provided me with a robust foundation for my subsequent studies at AUB.” Drawn to AUB by its renowned medical program, known for producing exceptional graduates, he explains, “Hearing stories of success from AUB alumni and witnessing the significant impact of AUBMC on healthcare in Lebanon and the wider MENA region inspired me to pursue my medical education at AUB.” His familiarity with the AUB campus, gained from his time as an IC student, made the choice to attend AUB a natural progression in his academic journey.

Looking back, Dr. Fares describes his time at AUB as “an enriching experience on multiple levels.” He highlights the liberal arts courses, particularly philosophy and civilization sequence courses, which broadened his intellectual horizons and honed his critical analysis skills. These skills have proven invaluable in his career as a physician-scientist. Additionally, AUB holds personal significance for Dr. Fares as the place where he met his wife, Nour.

Dr. Fares’ achievements since graduating from AUB are nothing short of remarkable. His groundbreaking research on utilizing stem cells to deliver oncolytic viruses targeting malignant brain tumors led to the completion of a pioneering first-in-human phase 1 trial for patients with malignant glioma (Fares et al., Lancet Oncology, 2021). His recent research has identified metixene, an antiparkinsonian agent, as effective in treating metastatic brain cancer, with significant implications for future clinical trials (Fares et al., Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2023). These accomplishments have earned him numerous accolades, including being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science and Healthcare (2018), receiving the Arab Youth Pioneer Award at the World Government Summit (2018),  IAP Young Physician Leader Award at the World Health Summit (2021), the Robert L. Bittner Award for Brain Tumor Research by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (2022), and the King Hussein Award for Cancer Research as a Young Investigator, international track (2022).

Dr. Fares expresses his gratitude to AUB and the Office of Financial Aid for their crucial support. “The support provided by AUB’s Office of Financial Aid and the Husni Ahmad Sawwaf Endowed Scholarship played a significant role in shaping my academic and professional trajectory, for which I am deeply grateful. This support not only facilitated my academic pursuits but also empowered me to actively engage in extracurricular activities and research endeavors that enriched my educational experience,” he concludes.