Cristina Stefan (MD, PhD) pediatrician who also qualified as an oncologist, completed a Masters in Epidemiology at York University in the UK, a PhD in medical education, and an MBA at the International School of Management in Paris, France. She chaired for a number of years the pediatric hematology-oncology unit at Tygerberg Hospital, Stellenbosch University, where she founded the African Cancer Institute, following her continuous involvement and work with numerous African countries. Her activity included the first twinning program in oncology between two African countries, cancer education and research activities, leading pediatric cancer registry as well as contributions to various African National Cancer Control Plans. She worked as Vice President of South African Medical Research Council, where she was responsible for the strategic planning of research (with a special focus on NCDs) as well as education, building up capacity, providing leadership, and assuming accountability for the strategical and operational planning of the organization. She received the award of the most influential woman in business in Africa in 2016 and continued her work as executive director of African Medical Research and Innovation Institute in Cape Town. Following her interest in global oncology, she joined as an adjunct professor in the department of global health, at SingHealth Duke NUS in Singapore in 2019, where she focused on teaching and research in a number of countries in South East Asia. She was recognized among the top 100 women healthcare leaders in Asia. Among her global oncology initiatives, currently, she supports the efforts of education and research in cancer in Eastern Europe, as she co-chairs classes in pediatric oncology at the European School of Oncology and is developing a new research and innovation center at the Institute of Oncology in Bucharest. She remains, however, an African scientist, researcher, and mentors continuing her passion for global oncology and innovation in Africa.
