Ahmed Farrag, MD, is a Consultant in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Central Switzerland. He is also actively involved in research projects with the Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Referral Center at RWTH Aachen University Hospital in Germany and serves as an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Oncology at the South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University in Egypt.
Alongside this work, Farrag serves as a member of the Core Steering Group of the Global Health Network and a co-chair of Traditional and Complimentary Medicine Working Group for the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP). His experience with SIOP also extends to serving as a member of the organization’s Scientific Program Advisory Committee in the field of stem cell transplantation from 2021-24. He currently is also a consultant of pediatric hematology-oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Central Switzerland.
During his time at Assiut University in Egypt, Farrag earned a pair of degrees and served as a resident physician of pediatrics and pediatric oncology (2005-08) and then as a specialist and assistant lecturer in the pediatric oncology department for Assiut’s South Egypt Cancer Institute, where he also earned a doctor degree in pediatric oncology. His educational journey also included a serving as a clinical fellow at Freiburg University Children’s Hospital from 2012-14 and earning a medical doctor degree from Cologne University in 2016.
Farrag's research focuses on identifying prognostic factors in children with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic regions, as well as improving survival outcomes for pediatric cancer patients in resource-limited settings.
For Farrag, the Global Child Health program within the St. Jude Graduate School represents the ideal environment to take the next steps in his career. The integrated curriculum in epidemiology, biostatistics, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and health policy will equip him with the tools to conduct independent, impactful research and to lead evidence-based initiatives addressing inequities in global child health.
Participating in the GCH program will empower him to acquire the leadership and analytical competencies needed to transform his experiences into sustainable solutions. Farrag aims to use the program’s curriculum to strengthen his voice in international health forums (based on knowledge and studies), contribute to strategic planning for pediatric oncology in the Middle East, Europe and beyond, and collaborate with fellow scholars on future global projects as part of the St. Jude alumni network.
Hometown: Lucerne, Switzerland
Education:
2025 Degree of Assistant Professor of Pediatric Oncology in Egypt
2021 German Board-Certified Specialist of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (Facharzt Kinder-Hämato-Onkologie)
2020 German Board-certified Specialist of general Pediatrics (Facharzt Kinder und Jugendmedizin)
2017 Degree of Lecturer and consultant of Pediatric Oncology - South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Egypt
2016 Doctor of Medicine, Pediatric Oncology – South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University
2016 Doctor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine – Cologne University
2014 Clinical Fellow, Pediatric Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation – Freiburg University Children's Hospital
2008 MS, Pediatrics – Assiut University
2003 M.B., B.Ch. – Assiut University
Awards/Honors/Scholarships:
2017 Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries (PODC) Scholarship, The International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP)
2014 Travel awards, European Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
2013 Travel awards, European Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
2011-14 Long Term Specialization Scholarship, The German Academic Exchange service (DAAD)
2011 Outreach Fellowship, The International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP)
Publications:
Gantner B, Priboi C, Ilic A, Schilling FH, Farrag A, Scheinemann K, Ansari M, Greiner J, von der Weid N, Brazzola P, Diezi M, Lemmel E, Holmer P, Raguindin PF, Michel G. Longitudinal Analysis of Psychological Distress in Grandparents of Children With Cancer: Results From a Multicenter Cohort Study in Switzerland (GROKids Project). Cancer Med. 2026 Apr;15(4):e71774. doi: 10.1002/cam4.71774. PMID: 41947027; PMCID: PMC13056702.
Raguindin PF, Maas A, Ilic A, Priboi C, Roser K, Farrag A, Schilling F, Tanriver U, Diesch-Furlanetto T, Scheinemann K, Michel G. Resilience and post-traumatic stress symptoms in grandparents following their grandchild's cancer diagnosis from a multicenter cohort study in Switzerland (The GROKids project). Discov Oncol. 2026 Feb 1;17(1):381. doi: 10.1007/s12672-026-04490-7. PMID: 41622386; PMCID: PMC12953793.
Alkilany LF, Alkilany SF, Gaber N, Farrag A, Osman AM. "Exploring Hepatitis C as a Relapse Risk Factor in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Study From a Resource-Limited Egyptian Setting". J Med Virol. 2025 Nov;97(11):e70683. doi: 10.1002/jmv.70683. PMID: 41190672.
Sawalha M, Alnaasan A, Alsharawneh A, Farrag A, Alqudimat MR. Two Surveys, 16 Years Apart: Comparing Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use by Children With Cancer in Jordan. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2025 Dec;72(12):e32096. doi: 10.1002/pbc.32096. Epub 2025 Oct 3. PMID: 41044868.
Holmer P, Muehlebach N, Ilic A, Priboi C, Roser K, Raguindin PF, Tinner EM, Baechtold R, Ansari M, Diezi M, Lemmel E, Schilling F, Farrag A, Scheinemann K, Michel G. Exploring grandparents' psychosocial responses to childhood cancer: A qualitative study. Psychooncology. 2024 Feb;33(2):e6304. doi: 10.1002/pon.6304. PMID: 38363038.