In a country where innovation and research are at the heart of national development, cultivating young researchers early is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. Across Qatar Foundation’s (QF) vibrant educational ecosystem, undergraduate students are stepping out of classrooms and into laboratories, simulation hubs, and research centres — driven by curiosity, guided by mentors, and empowered by programs that transform ambition into action.

One such initiative is the Undergraduate Research Experience Programme (UREP), a flagship programme funded by the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council. Since its inception in 2006, UREP has supported over 1,150 research projects and engaged more than 5,800 undergraduate students across universities in Qatar. For many of these students, the experience is nothing short of life-changing.

Empowering Innovation: The UREP Impact

“The UREP initiative is much more than a grant – it’s a transformative experience that empowers young minds to engage in cutting-edge projects while developing academic and personal skills that will shape their careers,” says Wala Abdelhalim, Senior, Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ)

Abdelhalim’s journey into research began as a freshman at TAMUQ. Today, she stands as one of the programme’s shining examples of how hands-on research can redirect academic trajectories and spark lifelong passion. Her first UREP project explored conjugated polymers for electronic skin—a futuristic technology with the potential to revolutionise healthcare, prosthetics, and wearable electronics.

“What excited me about this project is how electronic skin can truly change lives,” Abdelhalim shared. “Our role involved testing materials for flexibility, conductivity, and sensitivity—critical properties for real-world application.”

The project, “Self-Healing and Stretchable Next-Generation Nature Enthused Conjugated Organic Polymers for Electronic Skin,” was led by Dr Mohammed al-Hashimi, a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and adjunct faculty at TAMUQ.

What started as curiosity soon evolved into commitment. After that first research experience, Abdelhalim participated in two more UREP projects and is now part of a prestigious summer research programme in the United States. Looking ahead, she envisions a future in research — a path she never expected.

“Research wasn’t something I saw myself doing when I enrolled in Chemical Engineering,” she said. “But UREP changed that. I discovered how much I love the process—asking questions, analysing results, even dealing with rejections. It’s made me more resilient.”

Preparation for the Future: From TAMUQ to Georgia Tech

Wala Abdelhalim isn’t the only student whose journey was transformed. Her UREP teammate, Amanda Cruz, recently graduated from TAMUQ and is preparing to begin her PhD at Georgia Institute of Technology — one of the world’s leading research institutions.

“UREP gave me a strong foundation,” said Cruz. “It helped me understand what meaningful research looks like and how to contribute effectively.”

One of her toughest yet most rewarding tasks was co-authoring a review article on the project’s core topic. “Narrowing the scope was incredibly difficult. Too broad, and it becomes overwhelming. Too narrow, and you miss key insights,” she explained. That article was recently accepted for publication in Trends in Chemistry — a high-impact journal in the field.

“Writing, editing, and seeing our work published taught me so much about scientific communication and critical thinking,” she said. “It was validation that our research mattered.”

The project earned multiple accolades, including third place in the Materials Science and Engineering session at the 2023 AIChE Annual Student Conference in Florida, and first place at TAMUQ’s inaugural Undergraduate Research Retreat.

“In industry, you mostly follow protocols,” Cruz reflected. “But in research, you create new knowledge. That’s what excites me—the freedom to explore, innovate, and push boundaries.”

Engineering a Medical Breakthrough: The Pediatric Imaging Project

Another inspiring UREP success story comes from electrical engineering students Shouq al-Musleh and Haya al-Rewaily, also from TAMUQ, who teamed up with mechanical engineering student Nadine Elkholy. The trio recently won third place in the UREP National Competition for their project, “Crystals Studies: Positron Emission Tomography Simulations for Pediatric Applications.”

Focused on optimising PET (Positron Emission Tomography) imaging systems for children, the research simulated various crystal materials and detector configurations to improve diagnostic accuracy while reducing radiation exposure — an urgent concern in paediatric healthcare.

“In paediatric applications, safety and clarity are everything,” the students shared. “Our goal was to identify materials and configurations that enhance image quality while minimising risk.”

Though rooted in engineering, the team was drawn to medical applications by a shared passion for impact. “Electrical engineering includes signal processing and circuit design—fundamentals for imaging technologies,” they explained. “We saw a way to apply what we’ve learned to help improve healthcare outcomes.”

Lessons Beyond the Lab

Undertaking this complex, simulation-based project came with its own set of challenges, particularly balancing academic coursework with rigorous research demands.

“Time management was a major hurdle,” they admitted. “But we developed strong planning habits and leaned on each other to stay on track.”

The group emphasised the importance of teamwork, mentor support, and the availability of resources through QF’s ecosystem.

“We had access to cutting-edge labs and, most importantly, exceptional mentors who guided us from start to finish,” they said. “The environment encouraged us to think bigger and go further.”

Their success was not only measured in awards, but in personal growth. “We discovered a passion for research we didn’t know we had. Now we’re seriously considering graduate studies and long-term research careers.”

Advice for the Next Generation

Both teams agreed that early exposure to research can be transformative — and offered a strong message to their fellow undergraduates.

“Don’t wait to get involved,” they advised. “Research strengthens critical thinking, improves your academic performance, and gives you skills that are valuable in every industry.”

They also emphasised that you don’t need to be sure of your path to begin. “You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just start. The journey will guide you.”

Cultivating Talent for Qatar’s Future

Dr Mohammed al-Hashimi, who has mentored numerous students through UREP, sees this programme as central to Qatar’s broader goals of building a sustainable knowledge economy.

“UREP, a cornerstone of Qatar Foundation’s higher education ecosystem, is helping to shape the next generation of researchers, innovators, and problem-solvers,” he said. “For students like Wala, Amanda, Shouq, Haya, and Nadine — and many others — UREP isn’t just a program. It’s a catalyst.”

“As someone who has witnessed this transformation firsthand, I’m continually inspired by how UREP empowers young minds to turn curiosity into impact.”

Qatar Foundation’s integrated approach—blending education, research, and innovation—ensures that research is not limited to graduate students or faculty, but is ingrained in the undergraduate experience. This holistic model is proving effective in unlocking the potential of young researchers.

“Our hope,” said Shouq, Haya, and Nadine, “is that our work contributes to better healthcare in Qatar and inspires other students—especially young women—to see themselves as future scientists, innovators, and changemakers.”

About the Programme

The Undergraduate Research Experience Programme (UREP) is one of Qatar Foundation’s flagship research initiatives, supported by the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRDI). It offers students from QF’s partner universities the opportunity to tackle national and global challenges through supervised research. By encouraging critical thinking, collaboration, and applied learning, UREP plays a pivotal role in preparing future leaders who will drive Qatar’s innovation agenda forward.

Conclusion: A Generation Ready to Lead

From developing life-changing electronic materials to innovating safer medical imaging for children, the stories of these young researchers demonstrate how early research exposure is shaping not just careers — but Qatar’s future.

With passion, purpose, and the right platforms, these students are proving that undergraduates can be powerful drivers of discovery. And through UREP, Qatar is investing in a generation ready to lead with knowledge, curiosity, and innovation.

“The QF student experience is unique, allowing for learning experiences and opportunities that go far beyond what’s prescribed by their major. Students get to be part of our multiversity ecosystem, meaning opportunities to join multidisciplinary research, and research projects and programmes. Inside the classroom and out, opportunities are boundless and students get to customize their experience.”