In recognition of his sustained scientific contributions and community-focused initiatives in cancer care, Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Mir, Associate Professor at the Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, has been awarded the Breast Cancer Awareness & Care Excellence Award 2025.
The national honour was presented during the 7th Cancer Summit Awards held in New Delhi, in the presence of Union Health Minister Ashwani Kumar Chaubey, Joint Health Secretary Sujaya Krishnan, and Indian Health and Wellness (IHW) Director Kamal N. Omer.
Dr. Mir has emerged as a key figure in Breast cancer research with special emphasis on Triple Negative Breast Cancer, a subtype known for its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. His research team is actively engaged in exploring drug repurposing approaches, decoding molecular mechanisms of drug resistance, and developing strategies to reverse resistance and enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Dr. Mir has been listed among the top 2 percent of scientists worldwide by Stanford University for the years 2023 and 2024, reflecting the global impact of his research. Over the past decade and a half, he has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed research articles and over 15 scholarly books addressing cancer biology, immunotherapy, and translational medicine.
Against the backdrop of a steadily increasing burden of breast cancer in the Kashmir Valley, Dr. Mir has also prioritised public engagement and preventive healthcare. He has led and organised numerous awareness campaigns, training workshops, and screening-oriented outreach programmes across Kashmir, aimed at promoting early diagnosis and informed healthcare seeking behaviour.
In a landmark academic initiative for the region, Dr. Mir organised the first J&K International Conference on Breast Cancer in October 2024, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and policy experts from India and abroad. Building on its success, the second edition of the conference was organised recently in December 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mir stressed the urgency of strengthening awareness, early detection, and collaborative research, and acknowledged the collective efforts of his research team, academic peers, and supporters. He called upon institutions and individuals alike to play an active role in reducing breast cancer-related morbidity and mortality.
The recognition places Dr. Mir among a select group of scientists and health professionals whose work continues to shape cancer research, influence care strategies, and expand public understanding of the disease at both regional and national levels.
