Title: Physician
Company: National Cancer Institute
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Farah Zeba Zia, MD, Physician at the National Cancer Institute, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctors for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Health Care.
Dr. Zia is an experienced physician and a fellowship trained hematologist-oncologist, affiliated since 2007 with The Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis at the National Cancer Institute, the lead federal agency for cancer research, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland. With broad-ranging expertise in women’s cancers, women’s health, and integrative health, she excels in many roles at what is widely regarded as the world’s premier biomedical research institution, and a hub for research, training, and collaboration. Without a doubt, NIH’s unique environment affords her unrivaled opportunities to participate in bench to bedside translational research, taking discoveries from the laboratory into the clinic. She works as an associate investigator on several clinical trials investigating new treatments for gynecologic cancers, bringing hope to women whose cancers have progressed on standard therapies. Beyond cancer treatment, Dr. Zia also supports the role of integrative health across the cancer control continuum and works to develop clinical trials evaluating new strategies.
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Zia serves on several committees and working groups with representation from across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a cabinet level executive branch of the federal government, which includes key agencies such as NIH, CDC, FDA, along with others. Combining her expertise in oncology and integrative health, she is a member of the Federal Physical Activity Guidelines Committee, led by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. Furthermore, Dr. Zia’s position as a medical officer has afforded her ample opportunities to utilize her scientific and programmatic expertise in cancer clinical trials and the NCI’s Clinical Trials Network to further the NCI’s mission.
In February 2025, Dr. Zia participated in a review panel led by the NCI’s Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials and received a certificate of appreciation from the NCI Deputy Director, Douglas Lowy, MD, for her “outstanding and dedicated service to the institute.” She has also contributed as a member of the Clinical Trials Outcomes Research Assessment Group, which involves appraising strategies to improve the effectiveness of clinical trials from the perspective of obtaining robust results with real-world clinical applications. Beyond her involvement with committees and working groups, she also commits time to education and mentorship, preparing future physicians for their medical careers and developing courses for trainees that center on women’s health and cancer, as well as integrative health and lifestyle medicine. Before joining the NCI, Dr. Zia covered the hematology/oncology service at the Inova Fairfax Hospital, the area’s leading nonprofit health care provider in Falls Church, Virginia, from 2003 to 2006.
Climbing the educational ladder of success, Dr. Zia completed a Bachelor of Arts, with honors and distinction, from the George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, studying psychology on a pre-medical track. Subsequently, she obtained a Master of Science in microbiology and immunology, with distinction, from the George Washington University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. During her college years, she was able to secure several prestigious cancer research training award fellowships at the NCI, investigating lung cancer receptor signaling, in the laboratory of Dr. Terry W. Moody. Her diligent and hard work resulted in numerous opportunities for abstract presentations at scientific meetings, as well as publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Subsequently, Dr. Zia applied and was accepted into The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine in the Spring of 1997. This degree was followed with a residency in internal medicine at The George Washington University Hospital, and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at The National Institutes of Health. In addition to her degrees, Dr. Zia obtained state licensure across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia and became board-certified in internal medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and garnered credentials as a certified principal investigator through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
In addition to her full-time work at the NIH, Dr. Zia is also a member of many prestigious scientific and medical organizations. She is a member of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and serves on the women’s medicine committee of the Virginia chapter. This committee has a two-pronged focus, and not only educates the medical community on issues related to women’s health, but also delves into the various challenges faced by women physicians and scientists in the field of medicine, promoting self-care and work-life balance that ensures a healthy lifestyle along with the demands of their careers.
Furthermore, Dr. Zia is a member of several other organizations, including the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Association of Clinical Research Professionals (AACRP), and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO). She is also a diplomat of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). Besides her professional involvement, Dr. Zia has also been active civically by volunteering for Islamic Relief as well as for The Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA), participating in free medical clinics, food distribution for the needy, and clothing drives, demonstrating her commitment to giving back to society.
As a seasoned researcher, Dr. Zia has authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals regarding various aspects of the medical field. Her expertise in women’s cancer, specifically breast and gynecologic cancer, and women’s health and women’s integrative health, has become widely recognized.
In light of her professional success, Washingtonian Magazine recognized Dr. Zia among the Top Doctors in 2024. She credits her good fortune to God first, as well as the heartfelt prayers and steadfast support, during her education and early career, of her parents, Masood and Shamim Zia; and the continued championing of success by her physician-husband, Dr. Majid Ghauri, and children, Hira and Shan, during her life-long career journey. She is encouraged by the positive outcomes she has experienced in the field as she continues to make a difference in the lives of others. Dr. Zia’s goal is to remain committed to her patients, continually focus on advancing drug development and publish her research, leading to future medical advancements.
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