Mahmoud Abdelsalam, APRN, MD, PhD

I was drawn to medicine because I’ve always been fascinated by the combination of science, problem-solving and the human connection that comes with caring for patients. I liked the idea of having a career where I could continuously learn while also making a meaningful difference in someone’s life. I’m happy to have realized that type of career as a medical oncologist at the University of Florida Health.

During my medical training, I became particularly interested in oncology. Cancer medicine brings together complex biology, rapidly evolving science and longitudinal relationships with patients and their families.My goal is to make a meaningful impact in clinical care, research and education. Clinically, I want to provide compassionate, evidence-based, personalized care. Academically, I aim to contribute to new treatments through clinical trials, drug development and biomarker-driven approaches.

I want my patients to know that I truly listen to them and that I see them as a person, not just a diagnosis. I believe in being transparent, explaining their options clearly and making treatment decisions together. My goal is for every patient to feel heard and supported.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading — especially history, philosophy and fiction — and traveling. I also enjoy staying active and exploring new places. I find that time away from medicine helps me recharge and return to work with a fresh perspective.

My research interests are primarily focused on clinical drug development. My investigational interests also center on translational research in oncology, particularly identifying biomarkers that can help us understand which patients are most likely to benefit from specific therapies, especially immunotherapy.

I’m particularly interested in biomarker development and liquid biopsy, including the use of circulating tumor DNA and other circulating biomarkers to monitor treatment response, detect molecular changes during therapy and potentially identify resistance or recurrence earlier. I’ve been involved in several research projects at my previous institution, including clinical and translational research, and I’m very interested in bringing that experience with me to UF.