The Qatar University Health (QU Health) Basic Research office organised the seventh QU Health Annual Research Symposium centered on the theme of ‘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.
There were about 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, at the event, which 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, welcomed the attendees to the first in person event after two years. Nouf al-Kuwari, a lecturer at the College of Nursing, delivered an introductory presentation highlighting the various programmes. 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), the first keynote speaker, delivered a presentation on the groundbreaking research findings related to Covid-19.
He pointed out that 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 them to other areas of translational research and to produce groundbreaking findings that improve health in Qatar and globally.”
Dr. Hamdi Mbarek, director of Research Partnerships at the Qatar Genome Programme, spoke about research landscaping and path toward precision medicine grants.
He said 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.”
Dr Nahla Afifi, director of Qatar Biobank (QBB), the final keynote speaker, highlighted the QBB’s added value in the realm of medical research in Qatar. “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.”
Additionally, various researchers shared a summary of their experiences in diverse research fields. There was also a new competition named ‘Mic Drop,’ for graduate students at QU Health. The competition offered them a platform to showcase their presentation skills, receive constructive feedback from peers and experts, and enhance their research defence skills.
