Morhaf Al Achkar, MD, Ph.D. was born in Aleppo-Syria and migrated to the United States in 2006 after finishing medical school. He also obtained a Ph.D. in Education from Indiana University. Currently, he is a practicing family physician and a faculty member at the University of Washington.

In 2016, Morhaf was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer; he was 33 years old. Since then, his research has focused on the experience of patients living with lung cancer. His book, “Roads to Meaning and Resilience with Cancer,” is based on interviews he did with 39 patients who live, like him, with incurable cancers. He has also published his memoir entitled, “Being Authentic.” In his research and writings, he explores how people with cancer find meaning, authenticity, and build resilience.