Participants during the QU Health’s Annual Research Symposium.
Doha: The Qatar University Health (QU Health) Basic Research office organised the 7th QU Health Annual Research Symposium centred on the theme ‘Breaking Grounds in Translational Research.’ By showcasing the groundbreaking translational research trends at QU Health, the symposium promoted the collaboration among participants who were eager to share their insights and expertise.
Around 150 attendees, including Prof. Dr. Asmaa Al Thani, Vice President for Health and Medical Sciences, faculty members, students, and staff members from QU Health colleges, gathered at the event held at the Ibn Al Bitar Hall. The event provided a unique platform for exchanging ideas on the latest research topics, both on a national and international level.
Dr. Mohamed Elrayess, Director of Basic Research at QU Health, expressed his joy at the opportunity to organise the event in-person after being remotely held for two years due to the pandemic. Following his remarks, Nouf Al Kuwari, a lecturer at the College of Nursing, delivered an introductory presentation highlighting the various programmes offered by the college. Notably, the college is the first and only national programme in Qatar to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Dr. Laith Abu Raddad, Professor of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine- Qatar (WCM-Q), delivered a presentation on the groundbreaking research findings related to COVID-19. Subsequently, Dr. Hamdi Mbarek, Director of Research Partnerships at the Qatar Genome Programme, spoke about Qatar Genome Project Research Landscaping and path toward precision medicine grants.
Dr. Nahla Afifi, the Director of Qatar Biobank (QBB) during her presentation focused on highlighting the QBB’s added value in the realm of medical research in Qatar. Additionally, various researchers shared a summary of their experiences in diverse research fields. Their contributions were valuable in providing insights that could facilitate the advancement of health research and education at QU and beyond.
Dr. Abu Raddad said: “The groundbreaking COVID-19 research in Qatar over the last three years is a natural outcome of Qatar’s investment in building a thriving scientific community and modernising health care. These accomplishments show also the potential for Qatar to extend these accomplishments to other areas of translational research and to produce groundbreaking findings that improve health in Qatar and globally.”
Dr. Afifi emphasised on the significance of biobanks and stressed that biobanking is not just the storage of biological samples, but rather the preservation of potential breakthroughs in medical research, providing a critical resource for translating scientific discoveries into life-saving treatments and cures.
Dr. Mbarek added, “I think the next few years will be an exciting era for genomics, precision medicine, and precision health overall. Qatar has made remarkable progress in the field of genomics with world-class research-based evidence. We are committed to continuing our efforts to translate these findings from bench to bedside and to spearhead the Arab representation in the global human genomics map.”
In addition to the oral presentations delivered by faculty members, the symposium included a new competition named ‘Mic Drop,’ for graduate students at QU Health. The competition was a platform for the students to showcase their presentation skills, receive constructive feedback from peers and experts, and enhance their research defence skills. This innovative initiative has enabled students to gain proficiency in communicating their research findings, which in turn has contributed to the success of the event.
