DOHA: Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) hosted the second in the series of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QFR&D) seminars in which key findings with regard to health projects were revealed.
The Research Outcome Seminars (ROS) give researchers a platform to shed light on results of QNRF-funded cutting-edge research.
Focussing on biomedical and health research, four researchers presented in-depth findings on topics in the field that could benefit the population in Qatar and have an impact globally.
QNRF, in its second phase of development since its inception in 2006, aims to focus on the outcome and impact of research projects funded by it by accelerating the dissemination of research results through outreach initiatives.
Dr Thenaa K Said, Programme Manager for Biomedical and Health Sciences at QNRF, said biomedical and health research is a very important element in fostering a research culture in Qatar.
“The projects presented today highlight Qatar’s potential to produce cutting-edge and serious research in the biomedical and health field. Not only is the research QNRF is supporting relevant to the needs of Qatar, but results will contribute to knowledge globally,” she said.
Dr Suhaila Ghuloum, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Rumaillah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation and Assistant Professor, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q), presented her study on determining the prevalence of major mental health disorders among people between 18 and 65 years in Qatar. The research has contributed to the development of Qatar National Mental Health Strategy and is guiding implementation plans.
Dr Laith Abu-Raddad, Associate Professor of Public Health, WCMC-Q, presented his work on HIV. His study examined why those infected with HIV and another infection, such as malaria, have a higher concentration of the HIV virus and are able to more easily pass the sickness to others, increasing the risk of epidemics in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, where contagious diseases other than HIV are most common.
Dr Nasser Mostafa Rizk, Associate Professor of Human Physiology, Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, presented results of his team’s research that had found a better way to predict the course of diabetes by comparing metabolites, the products of metabolism, of diabetics versus non-diabetics.
He said as more knowledge is gained, the findings can be taken to a medicinal chemist who can then help target pathways and develop better interventions.
Dr Abdallah Al Nasser, Head and Senior Consultant of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Hamad General Hospital, spoke about a study by Middle East Childhood Cancer Alliance. His team used childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia as a model to uncover the biology of childhood cancer and looked at resources in Middle Eastern and neighbouring countries.
The first seminar in the ROS series was held last December and featured projects on energy and the environment.
The Peninsula
