Latest news with #DoctorsoftheFutureConference
Qatar Tribune
05-05-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
WCM-Q hosts ‘Doctors of the Future' event for aspiring medical students
Tribune News Network Doha More than 200 pre-university students with ambitions to pursue careers in medicine participated in Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar's (WCM-Q) two-day Doctors of the Future Conference. Held annually, the conference gives pre-university students the chance to explore WCM-Q's state-of-the-art campus, learn about the college's world-class educational programmes, and discover the wide range of opportunities that can be accessed by studying for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. During the conference, students participated in a variety of activities, including interactive sessions with faculty, current students, and WCM-Q alumni. Highlights included the grand finale of a research contest and panel discussions on topics such as applying to medical school, the life of a medical student, and career pathways in medicine. Attendees also enjoyed talks on pre-college programmes and the fundamentals of research, along with presentations of research posters by current WCM-Q pre-medical students, a quiz session, and several other engaging activities. The event, which is organised by WCM-Q's Office of Student Outreach and Development, also serves to develop partnerships between WCM-Q and local secondary and high schools, stimulate interest in careers in science and medicine among pre-university students, and help enhance college readiness conference is open to students, teachers and school counselors from all over Qatar, across the wider region and beyond. Noha Saleh, director of pre-medical administration, student outreach and educational development, said: 'The Doctors of the Future Conference provides an annual interactive platform where high school students engage with peers from other high schools, current medical students as well as faculty members at WCM-Q, in order to enhance their research skills and understanding of college expectations. We were delighted to welcome so many enthusiastic and highly accomplished students to the conference once again this year.' The second day of the conference featured the final round of the research contest, with first prize going to the team from GEMS Wellington International School Qatar for their poster, titled 'The Effect of Gaming on Promoting Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness of Diabetes'.The competition began with a preliminary round in January 2025 with an initial field of 54 teams. Second place was shared by teams from Doha College and Swiss International School Qatar. Mohamed Siddig Mohyeldin, a student at GEMS Wellington School Qatar and a member of the winning team in the research competition, said: 'The conference was an amazing learning experience. Getting to meet both doctors and medical students helped me to understand what it is really like to study and practice medicine, which has helped me feel more confident about choosing this career path.' Heidi Elkassas, a student at Doha College and a member of one of the second-placed teams in the research competition, said: 'We did a lot of preparation so it was great to go so far in the contest. The best thing about the conference for me was the panel discussions, which were really informative but also very inspiring—there was so much useful advice from different perspectives. One of the big messages I received was to believe in yourself, because if you work hard you can achieve your ambition to become a doctor and make a real difference.' Dr Rachid Bendriss, associate dean for foundation, student outreach and educational development programmes, said:'Our Doctors of the Future Conference continues to offer pre-university students a highly effective way to engage with the worlds of science, medicine, and higher education, while simultaneously helping them to develop skills that will enhance their readiness to apply to college.'
Al Bawaba
05-05-2025
- Health
- Al Bawaba
Pre-university students flock to WCM-Q Doctors of the Future Conference
More than 200 pre-university students with ambitions to pursue careers in medicine participated in Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar's (WCM-Q) two-day Doctors of the Future Conference. Held annually, the conference gives pre-university students the chance to explore WCM-Q's state-of-the-art campus, learn about the college's world-class educational programs, and discover the wide range of opportunities that can be accessed by studying for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. During the conference, students engaged with a range of activities, including meetings with faculty, current students and WCM-Q alumni, the grand finale of a research contest, and panel discussions on applying to medical school, the life of a medical student, and careers in medicine. There were also talks on pre-college programs and the fundamental principles of research, presentations of research posters by current WCM-Q pre-medical students, and a quiz session, among other activities. The event, which is organized by WCM-Q's Office of Student Outreach and Development, also serves to develop partnerships between WCM-Q and local secondary and high schools, stimulate interest in careers in science and medicine among pre-university students, and help enhance college readiness skills. The conference is open to students, teachers and school counselors from all over Qatar, across the wider region and beyond. Noha Saleh, director of pre-medical administration, student outreach and educational development, said: 'The Doctors of the Future Conference provides an annual interactive platform where high school students engage with peers from other high schools, current medical students as well as faculty members at WCM-Q, in order to enhance their research skills and understanding of college expectations. We were delighted to welcome so many enthusiastic and highly accomplished students to the conference once again this year.' The second day of the conference featured the final round of the research contest, with first prize going to the team from GEMS Wellington International School Qatar for their poster, titled The Effect of Gaming on Promoting Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness of Diabetes. The competition began with a preliminary round in January 2025 with an initial field of 54 teams. Second place was shared by teams from Doha College and Swiss International School Qatar. Mohamed Siddig Mohyeldin, a student at GEMS Wellington School Qatar and a member of the winning team in the research competition, said: 'The conference was an amazing learning experience. Getting to meet both doctors and medical students helped me to understand what it is really like to study and practice medicine, which has helped me feel more confident about choosing this career path.' Heidi Elkassas, a student at Doha College and a member of one of the second-placed teams in the research competition, said: 'We did a lot of preparation so it was great to go so far in the contest. The best thing about the conference for me was the panel discussions, which were really informative but also very inspiring—there was so much useful advice from different perspectives. One of the big messages I received was to believe in yourself, because if you work hard you can achieve your ambition to become a doctor and make a real difference.' Dr. Rachid Bendriss, associate dean for foundation, student outreach and educational development programs, said: 'Our Doctors of the Future Conference continues to offer pre-university students a highly effective way to engage with the worlds of science, medicine, and higher education, while simultaneously helping them to develop skills that will enhance their readiness to apply to college. We were extremely impressed by the maturity, drive, and aptitude of the students who attended this year.'
Zawya
09-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
WCM-Q students present research projects at annual poster event
Doha – First-year pre-medical students at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) showcased their biology laboratory research findings on the antimicrobial effect of herbs, spices and other natural substances at the annual poster presentation event. The event was the culmination of two semesters of research where the students were provided with a choice of four different species of bacteria, and were required to investigate the effect based on bacteria's response, and determine the possible mechanism at play in these extracts that inhibits the growth of bacteria. A total of 53 students, divided into groups of three, worked together to execute the research projects from beginning to end, demonstrating their ability to conduct and communicate science. Altogether, 18 posters were presented, where the students reviewed literature, formulated a question and hypothesis, conducted experiments in the laboratory, and analyzed the data. The students then wrote a short synopsis of their findings and presented it in a poster manner to their fellow students and faculty. Some of the posters will be showcased at the Doctors of the Future Conference, a gathering of educational leaders and future medical students that is scheduled to take place on April 11-12, 2025 and organized by WCM-Q. Dr. Kuei-Chiu Chen, professor of biology, said: 'We are committed to helping students master the essential skills of research. We focus on enabling them to critically evaluate scientific literature, conduct thorough statistical analyses on their data, draw insightful conclusions, and effectively communicate their findings.' Reema Al-Emadi, Maryam Alghanem, and Khalid Al-Thani presented a poster on the inhibitory effect of Senna alexandrina (senna leaves), Euterpe oleracea (açaí fruit), and Lepidium sativum (cress seeds) on opportunistic pathogens — Serratia marcescens and Corynebacterium amycolatum. Reema Al-Emadi said: 'There is a growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance, and there is a need for natural and sustainable alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. While plant-based antimicrobials are well-studied, the knowledge to their effectiveness against Serratia marcescens and Corynebacterium amycolatum is limited. Therefore, our study aimed to research less investigated bacterial species to reveal antimicrobial properties of senna leaves, açaí fruit, and cress seeds, and to see their potential as natural antimicrobials to reduce reliance on synthetic antibiotics and combat resistant infections effectively.' The findings highlight the antimicrobial potential of plant-based compounds and their ability to target different bacterial structures. Nour Alqubbaj, Maryam Sohail, and Dongeun Lee presented their poster, titled 'The Antibacterial effects of Vitex agnus-castus paste on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aures, Serratia marcescens (red strain), and Corynebacterium amycolatum.' Maryam Sohail said: 'We used Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree) as an antimicrobial agent against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria strains. Traditionally, the plant has been used in many cultures to treat pre-menstrual and post-menopausal symptoms. Our results showed that vitex has much potential in the pharmaceutical industry to combat antimicrobial resistance.' Students Aiza Tanveer Hassan, Dounia Baroudi, and Hyeonjeong Oh presented a poster about their research investigating the antibacterial activity of lime, apple, and kiwi extracts on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. They chose to study the bacteria because they are found in the intestines, and the fruits are part of the daily diet of many households. The trio concluded that pH is not the only factor inhibiting the growth of bacteria — other components, like flavonoids, may also play a role. Other student research projects investigated the antimicrobial effects of tarragon, ashwagandha, red pepper, coriander, mustard seeds, oregano, kumquat, cumin seeds, and oils found in eucalyptus and tea tree, among others. WCM-Q student projects are educational assignments, and the findings should not be considered clinical trials or medical guidance on the effectiveness of various remedies. About Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar is a partnership between Cornell University and Qatar Foundation. It offers a comprehensive Six-Year Medical Program leading to the Cornell University M.D. degree with teaching by Cornell and Weill Cornell faculty and by physicians at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Sidra Medicine, the Primary Health Care Corporation, and Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, who hold Weill Cornell appointments. Through its biomedical research program, WCM-Q is building a sustainable research community in Qatar while advancing basic science and clinical research. Through its medical college, WCM-Q seeks to provide the finest education possible for medical students, to improve health care both now and for future generations, and to provide high quality health care to the Qatari population. For more info, please contact: Hanan Lakkis Associate Director, Media and Publications Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar hyl2004@
Al Bawaba
09-02-2025
- Health
- Al Bawaba
More than 200 high school students participate in WCM-Q research competition
This year's edition of the Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) High School Research Competition (HSRC) saw 214 students from 31 high schools in Qatar, Kuwait, Indonesia and the UAE present their research projects to a panel of judges. Organized by the Office of Student Outreach and Educational Development at WCM-Q, the competition aims to inspire high school students to explore medicine, employ scientific research methods, and develop their presentation skills. With a focus on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and their application in Qatar, project themes included health and wellbeing, water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption and production. With a total of 51 teams participating, each school was represented by a maximum of four teams, with up to five students from grades 10 to 12. Led by a science or math teacher, the teams presented their research projects on the WCM-Q campus. The competition is part of WCM-Q's Doctors of the Future Conference, a gathering of educational leaders and future medical professionals that is scheduled to take place on April 11-12, 2025. The top teams will have the opportunity to present their projects during the conference, and one of the top three finalist teams will be granted the prestigious Doctors of the Future Conference award. Dr. Rachid Bendriss, associate dean for foundation, student outreach and educational development programs, said: 'By offering high school students the opportunity to carry out scientific research, we are effectively helping them sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while exploring their interest in pursuing a science-based education. We look forward to continuing to welcome young participants from Qatar and the region to the program. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contributions of our faculty, staff, researchers, teaching specialists, and medical students who took the time to be on the judging panel.' Noha Saleh, director of pre-medical administration, student outreach and educational development, added: 'This year's student participants showed a clear passion for science, which they translated into excellent research projects that they should all be very proud of. We are positive that many of these students will be interested in translating that passion into a career in science, and we will be here to support them.' Participating schools included Al Arqam Academy for Girls, American School of Doha, Aspire Academy, Birla Public School, Compass International School, Doha College, DPS Monarch International School, Edison International Academy, GEMS Wellington School – Qatar, Hassan Bin Thabit Secondary School for Boys, International School for Medical Science and Engineering, Mesaieed International School, Newton British Academy, Newton International Academy, Noble International School, Pakistan International School Qatar, Pearling Season International School of Doha, Qatar Academy for Science and Technology, Qatar International School, Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys, Rabaa Aladawiya Secondary School for Girls, Rajagiri Public School, SEK International School Qatar, Sherborne Qatar School for Girls, Swiss International School in Qatar, The English Modern School, The Gulf English School, Zubaida Secondary School for Girls, the American International School of Kuwait, Al Salam Community School from the United Arab Emirates, and Thursina IIBS from Indonesia.
