Dr Isra Marei, post-doctoral associate in pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), has been recognised by the L’Oréal-Unesco for Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Programme.
Dr Marei, who is a member of Dr Christopher Triggle’s research team, was one of three winners in the Post-Doctorate Researchers category. She was recognised for her research towards the development of 3D vascular drug screening platforms based on cord blood endothelial progenitor cells.
The regional programme is now in its seventh year and is part of L’Oréal-Unesco’s global initiative that has recognised more than 3,400 phenomenal researchers since its inception 22 years ago.  
Dr Marei said: “I feel very fortunate and humbled to be able to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people, without whom I would not have been able to receive such an award. I am extremely grateful to my colleagues and to L’Oréal-Unesco for giving me a wonderful boost that will help me keep working as hard as I can to make valuable contributions to scientific discovery.” 
Remi Chadapaux, L’Oréal Middle East managing director, said: “The seventh edition of the L’Oréal-Unesco for Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Programme is a special year for us. While we celebrate these exceptional women and their breakthrough research, recent events have also brought to light the need for a diversified approach to modern day solutions. Today, we continue this legacy as the most highly regarded initiative in the region in an effort to support a group of women with outstanding dedication to improve the lives of people within our communities.” 
Dr Khaled Machaca, professor of Physiology and Biophysics/senior associate dean for Research, Innovations and Commercialisation at WCM-Q, said: “This is an absolutely fantastic achievement, and we are extremely proud of Dr Marei. It is wonderful that her dedication, intellectual curiosity and contribution to research have been recognised by one of the most prestigious international awards, the L’Oreal-Unesco award. Dr Marei’s recognition shows that women scientists in Qatar have the available opportunities and resources required to compete at the highest levels. This is thanks primarily to the efforts of Qatar Foundation and the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) in advancing research and women scientists in Qatar.” 
Dr Marei has been extensively funded by QNRF through a Postdoctoral Fellowship Award and, more recently, with an Early Career Research Award. Dr Marei’s host laboratory at WCM-Q has been supported by QNRF through multiple National Priorities Research Program and Undergraduate Research Experience Program awards focused on cardiovascular physiology.