Afghan Cancer and Research Education (AFCARE): Research Roundtable

Overview

The AFCARE Research Roundtable is a structured, recurring platform where Afghan clinicians, trainees, and early-career researchers present their clinical research to a supportive community of peers, senior researchers, and international mentors. The forum is designed to strengthen Afghanistan’s research ecosystem by creating a space for feedback, methodological guidance, biostatistics support, and long-term mentorship.

By nurturing mentorship, strengthening analytic skills, and fostering collaboration, we aim to empower Afghan researchers to generate high‑quality evidence that improves clinical outcomes for patients and communities in Afghanistan.

What we do

The research roundtable provides a structured environment where participants can:

  • Present ongoing or planned research projects from early ideas to near‑complete studies
  • Receive practical feedback on study design, methodology, biostatistics, and scientific writing
  • Connect with mentors from academic institutions, implementation science, and clinical research
  • Learn from peers working on similar challenges in public health
  • Build confidence in research communication, analysis, and publication

Cost

There is no fee to participate in the AFCARE program.

Program Structure

  • Monthly 60 minute sessions
  • Hybrid format (Zoom + in-person hubs when possible)

  • Opening reflection (5 minutes)

A brief grounding statement connecting research to service and patient care.

  • Research Presentations (15 minutes for each presentation)

Two Afghan researchers present work-in-progress.

  • Structured Feedback (15 minutes for each presentation)
    • Epidemiology/Biostatistics mentor
    • Clinical mentor
    • Peer researchers
  • Open Discussion (15 minutes for each presentation): Collaborative problem solving and Q&A.
  • Closing & Next Steps (5 minutes)

The program is open to:

  • Clinicians, Residents and Fellow from any specialty
  • Medical Trainees and Students
  • Public Health Professionals
  • Early Career Researchers
  • NGO Researchers
  • Hospital-Based Research Teams
  • Afghan diaspora researchers interested in contributing
  • Demonstrate proficiency in English at a professional level.
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Program Team

  • Ali Mirzazadeh, MD, PhD, MPH. Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Global Health Sciences, UCSF 
  • Karim Bayanzay, MD. Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Hospital Medicine, UCSF
  • Iftekhar Sadaat, MD, MPH. Research Specialist, IGHS, UCSF

Questions

For questions, please contact AFCARE at Iftekhar.Sadaat@ucsf.edu.

The University of California does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, health, or disability. For detailed information, please visit the UCSF Office for Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination.