Inside SCHD26: Dr. David Aboulafia on Advancing Cancer Equity Through the Implementation Science Research Award

In this inside look at SCHD26, Dr. David Aboulafia—chair of the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities (SCHD)—shares how the 2026 meeting and the new Implementation Science Research Award will drive cancer equity, expand opportunities for early-career researchers, and accelerate real-world oncology innovation.

Dr. David Aboulafia is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Washington, an attending hematologist at the Virginia Mason Medical Center, and was recently elected chair of Binaytara's Board of Directors in April 2025. He also serves as chair of Binaytara's flagship conference, the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities (SCHD), which will take place on March 27, 2026. In this conversation, Dr. Aboulafia shares his insights on the upcoming conference and the exciting Implementation Science Research Award opportunity for early-career researchers.

Why SCHD26 Matters for Advancing Cancer Equity

Question | Binaytara: What excites you the most about SCHD26?

Answer | Dr. Aboulafia: “What excites me most about this year, as well as previous SCHD conferences, is just the opportunity for like-minded people to get together to talk about important issues in cancer care. I think we all feel this year is as important as any, maybe more so, given our political climate. It is about addressing inequities in care and opportunities to advance cancer care for all people.”

Q: Why is implementation science critical to addressing cancer disparities right now?

A: “We all have great ideas. In theory, we would like to see everyone have equal opportunities to get the care they deserve and need. But getting there is really a challenge. Implementation science provides a framework for getting from point A to point B and then from point B to point C. It helps us ultimately develop care across all groups that is equal and hopefully equally good.”

What the $25,000 Implementation Science Research Award Means for Early-Career Investigators

Q: Binaytara is providing multiple $25,000 awards to support implementation science researchers. What does this mean for early-career researchers in the field?

A: “I think it is an unbelievable opportunity. These awards are being offered for $25,000 to help people early in their careers get a jump start in this challenging field of implementation science, particularly in cancer research.”

Q: Who is eligible to apply for the Implementation Science Research Award?

A: “We are looking for:

• Fellows who are 18 months into their fellowship, OR
• Fellows who are post-18 months and already have a position secured at their institution

This is really seed money with no strings attached. It is an opportunity to advance their careers, advance their aspirations, and support their clinical investigations in this field. We are looking for people who have great ideas, who want to share them, are looking to expand on them, and have institutional support, someone who has an opportunity to do this work at their own institution.”

Q: The deadline is December 15th. What would you say to someone who is on the fence about submitting their abstract to SCHD26 for this award opportunity?

A: “There is nothing to lose. It is a great opportunity, and at the very least, you will get great feedback on your proposal. Here is what makes applying for the Implementation Science Research Award worthwhile:

• It is not long: The total is four pages of research outlined for the award
• Expert review: People reviewing it are experts in the field
• Invaluable networking: The opportunity to come to this meeting and present your abstract is invaluable

Why SCHD26 Offers Unmatched Networking and Learning Opportunities

Q: What has been your personal experience with SCHD, and why do you think this award opportunity is so valuable?

A: “I started coming to this meeting myself, probably about five or six, seven years ago, and truly it is one of the very best meetings available. The opportunities for young investigators to meet people more senior in the field who have been doing this for so many years are just invaluable.

So think about it: $25,000 seed money for a research proposal, having the opportunity to review it, critique it, provide feedback, and possibly be among those who are chosen for the award. It is just incredible.

Q: Beyond this award, what opportunities await people who attend SCHD26?

A: “There are several things:

Learning & Innovation

• People are going to learn new information
• Each year, we reinvent this meeting, looking over what we did the last year, trying to make it better and more relevant
• The panel of people coming is going to be outstanding
• The topics cover a super wide range of issues that are crucial in this field

Networking Across Career Stages

• Young folks get to meet other young folks doing similar work
• They also get to meet people mid and late career

The Conference Experience

It is a really great two-day meeting to share ideas and develop new research proposals. It is a non-pressured conference: interesting and engaging, but also laidback. I think everyone leaves feeling that they learned something and they had a great time.

Final Thoughts: Encouraging Researchers to Submit by December 15

Ready to take the next step in your implementation science research career? Submit your abstract to SCHD26 by December 15th for a chance to participate in the Impact Pitch and compete for one of multiple $25,000 Implementation Science Research Awards. This is your opportunity to gain valuable feedback from field experts, connect with leading researchers, and secure funding to advance your work in addressing cancer health disparities.