Dr. Fidel Rubagumya is the inaugural ONCares Global Scholar. His work exemplifies the mission of the program: research that grows from community, strengthens care, and builds capacity for future generations.
“My long-term goal is to develop, implement, and disseminate interventions that improve access to cancer care, quality of care, and outcomes in routine clinical practice.”
Dr. Rubagumya’s original 2022 mentorship plan and 2025 Year 3 Scholar Report reflect the real-world impact of protected time, collaborative mentorship, and sustained support. This investment has allowed him to remain rooted in Rwanda while advancing global oncology science.
The Scholar Report: Research & Innovation
With ONCares support, Dr. Rubagumya is currently pursuing a PhD focused on cervical cancer survivorship in Rwanda. His research explores the cutting-edge use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to detect and predict recurrence—a technology that could revolutionize care in low-resource settings.
Current Highlights
- First manuscript under review for international publication.
- Second manuscript submitted to the ASCO Journal of Global Oncology.
- Predictive value studies for ctDNA recurrence in progress.
“The skills and experience I will acquire during this fellowship will prepare me to apply for R01-level grants.”
Beyond his PhD, Dr. Rubagumya launched a study of nearly 50 patients investigating HPV and treatment toxicity in head and neck cancers. Since June 2024, he has published nine peer-reviewed articles and chaired sessions at major international conferences, including ASCO.
Patient Care: Impact of Protected Time
One of the most critical aspects of the Global Scholar Program is the provision of financial support that offsets the need for private practice work. This “protected time” allows for more attentive, individualized clinical care.
“This fellowship, startup funding, and mentorship provide me with the opportunity to advance my research career. The proposed project involves collaborative partnerships with cancer patients, survivors, and community health workers in Rwanda. Skills developed through these partnerships will inform future research and greatly accelerate my professional development.”
By staying current on emerging research, Dr. Rubagumya has been able to directly decentralize cervical cancer survivorship care to district hospitals, bringing high-quality care closer to the patients who need it most.
Scaling the Future: Workforce Development
Dr. Rubagumya’s impact extends far beyond his own clinic. He now leads the Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at the University of Rwanda, a two-year subspecialty training program developed in partnership with the Dartmouth Cancer Center.
- Faculty mentorship from Dartmouth
- In-person training from visiting international teams
- International observerships for local fellows
- Dedicated program coordination for sustainability
“All of these achievements—advancing research, improving care, and building capacity—have been made possible by your support. I am deeply grateful.”
Over the next five years, Dr. Rubagumya aims to train at least 20 oncologists, significantly strengthening Rwanda’s national cancer workforce and ensuring the sustainability of these programs for generations to come.