Latest news with #WeillCornellMedicine-Qatar


Qatar Tribune
20-07-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Local, int'l high school students explore medicine at WCM-Q
Tribune News Network Doha Eighty-three local and international high school students aspiring to pursue careers in medicine had the opportunity to gain early exposure to the field through the Medical Minds Online Programme (MMOP), a summer programme organised by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q). The week-long virtual event was part of the Summer Enrichment Programmes, designed to introduce pre-college students to the field of medicine and science through engaging and interactive sessions led by WCM-Q's faculty and staff, who are experts in their field. Offered by WCM-Q's Office of Student Outreach and Educational Development, the programme aims to provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges in the medical field to students with a keen interest in medicine and the sciences. It targets students in Qatar's high schools and from different parts of the world who have shown academic excellence in the sciences and mathematics. Fifty girls and 33 boys from 43 schools engaged in a variety of live Zoom sessions and self-paced modules, such as medical ethics, anatomy, surgery, forensic biology, and the admissions process at WCM-Q. The participating students, entering grades 10, 11, and 12, came from various schools across Qatar, while international students joined the sessions from Algeria, Brazil, Canada, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Conducted by physicians, medical educators, and WCM-Q student mentors, the programme offered both academic knowledge and personal development skills, including building a professional identity in medicine and exploring career pathways. The students also learned how to work on Canvas, a learning management system used by educational institutions. The programme explored different specialties in medicine to give the students a chance to see which field they were passionate about. To inspire them further, the faculty shared personal stories about their medical journeys. Additionally, five WCM-Q pre-medical students served as student assistants in a session titled 'Building your Professional Identity in Medicine', where they facilitated group discussions that asked students to identify their personal values, reflect on what drew them to medicine, and link these values to their vision of medical practice. The students were Fatima Abdulla, Shaikha Al Ishaq, Nouf Alabdulmalik, Noof AlMalik, and Mohammed Ali Abdulla. WCM-Q medical and pre-medical students, Reem Al Janahi, Batoul Arabi, Fatima Al Mohammed, Anns Mahboob, and Ola AboMoslim, also conducted a panel discussion where they tackled topics such as writing personal statements, interview techniques, and student life at WCM-Q. Following the conclusion of the programme, all students were awarded a certificate of completion. Noha Saleh, director of premedical Administration, Student Outreach, and Educational Development, said: 'The MMOP was a wonderful opportunity for high school students to get a glimpse of the medical field. By combining both academic content and real-life insights from professionals and our students, I believe this will help the students make informed decisions about their future and build a strong foundation for those considering careers in the healthcare sector. Offered online, the programme's international reach expanded attracting students from more than 10 different cities around the world, in addition to Doha, Qatar.' Student participant Faisal Alazawi of The Hamilton International School, who is heading to grade 12, said: 'The programme was an eye-opener, and I have learned that everyone's journey into medicine is personal and unique. Hearing the doctors share their experiences, including the challenges they have encountered, motivations, and turning points, was really inspiring, which showed me that there's no single path to becoming a physician. 'The programme being held virtually made it incredibly accessible, allowing us to learn from anywhere while still gaining insight into what WCM-Q students experience. The self-paced modules kept me productive now that we are on summer break.' Dr. Rachid Bendriss, assistant professor of Education in Medicine, associate dean for Foundation, Student Outreach, and Educational Development programmes, and professor of English as a second language, said: 'I believe that besides introducing the students to medical topics, the programme helped them build essential skills like critical thinking, communication, and self-directed learning. It's incredible to see young minds grow more confident about pursuing their goals in medicine in the future.'


Qatar Tribune
07-07-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
WCM-Q shares neuromusicology advances with centres in Jordan
Tribune News Network Doha Dr Ghizlane Bendriss, a neuroscientist and esteemed faculty member at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), recently visited Amman, Jordan, as part of a regional collaboration on music-based interventions. Dr Bendriss is at the forefront of pioneering research on the effects of Arab music maqams (the melodic system used in Middle Eastern music) on brain physiology and emotions. During her trip, she presented initial findings from her electroencephalogram (EEG) clinical trial on Arabic maqams and brain activity, which is the only study of its kind registered on The presentation took place at Crescendo Music & Art Academy, a well-established institute with comprehensive music and arts education, in the presence of ethnomusicologists, therapists, and special needs educators. Her research results indicated that Maqam Saba can evoke measurable emotional responses in participants with Arab backgrounds compared with participants with no Arab background, challenging the notion that music perception is universal. These findings pave the way for the development of music therapy approaches that are tailored to specific cultural contexts. Dr Bendriss also visited the Orient Spirit Development Organization, the first specialized vocational training centre in the Middle East dedicated to training individuals with disabilities and learning difficulties, which engages in music therapy, crafts, and income-generating activities to build their autonomy and confidence. Reflecting on her work, Dr. Bendriss said: 'I'm incredibly proud that this clinical trial is now yielding its first results. It's the first study of its kind to bring neuroscientific evidence to what scholars like Al-Farabi and Ibn Sina described centuries ago — the therapeutic power of musical modes, or maqams, used in the earliest mental health hospitals, the Bimaristans. Just as Mozart's music has been studied neurologically, our work at WCM-Q examines for the first time the brain's response to 'Howa Sahih El Hawa Ghalab,' a classic interpreted by Umm Kulthum in Maqam Saba. 'The findings challenge the idea that sadness in music is universal, suggesting instead that music-based interventions must be culturally grounded. Sharing these results in Jordan — home to one of the region's oldest music therapy degree programs — was deeply meaningful. It reflects my aspiration to foster lasting regional collaborations that bridge science, heritage, and care, and ultimately serve children with special needs through more inclusive, culturally informed therapeutic practices.' These collaborations are closely linked to Dr Bendriss's broader research interests in neurodevelopmental disorders and the sensory dimension of the gut-brain axis. They also build on the momentum of her continuing professional development course, 'Training in Music-Based Interventions,' the region's first accredited program of its kind. The course featured Rula Barghouthi, a music therapist from the Orient Spirit Development Organization, and equips healthcare professionals with tools to help individuals build self-esteem, express emotions, and address speech and motor deficits associated with conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The growing significance of WCM-Q's commitment to advancing neuromusicology is further affirmed by the official recognition of music therapists under Qatar's art therapy license.


Qatar Tribune
21-06-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Aspiring scientists sharpen their skills at WCM-Q biomedical training programme
Tribune News Network Doha Four aspiring biomedical scientists have gained key research skills by completing the 2025 cycle of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar's (WCM-Q) Biomedical Research Training Programme (BRTP) for nationals. The interns who participated in this year's programme are Raghad Rabie El Ghali, Hadeel Alashwal, Maryam Ali, and Sara Muhamed Saleh. The programme is designed to give Qatari nationals and long-term residents who have recently graduated from college a firm foundation in practical laboratory and research administration skills, and experience conducting real clinical research projects while working alongside WCM-Q's highly qualified scientific faculty in the college's state-of-the-art laboratories. To celebrate their successful completion of the programme, the interns were presented with certificates at a special graduation ceremony. This year marks the 13th annual cycle of the Biomedical Research Training Programme for Nationals, which was launched in 2011. To date, the programme has helped 62 graduates, including this year's cohort, take their first steps toward successful careers in research. Dr Khaled Machaca, professor of physiology and biophysics/senior associate dean for research, innovations, and commercialization at WCM-Q, said: 'I am honoured to congratulate our latest cohort of talented graduates from the Biomedical Research Training Programme. These impressive young scientists have dedicated the last 10 months to acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to become not only exceptional scientists but also vital contributors to Qatar's thriving biomedical research sector. I wish them every success in the next stages of their careers.' This year's BRTP interns are graduates of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar University, the University of Zhengzhou in China, and the International Medical University in Malaysia. Tembela Eweje, associate director, grants, contracts and research training, said: 'This programme is more than just training; it's about building a diverse and capable biomedical workforce for Qatar. The programme is designed to equip emerging scientists with critical skills and provide the mentorship they need for their careers after completion. During the graduation ceremony, our trainees expressed their excitement about the future and their eagerness to engage in activities that will help them gain the expertise needed to lead transformative research. One trainee mentioned that the program provided them with what they would equate to about 10 years of experience in just 10 months.' The programme has become an established bridge for college graduates to transition to the workplace and kickstart successful careers in research. Graduates from previous cycles have gone on to publish in leading journals and have been accepted to graduate school programmes in Qatar and abroad, while others have established careers in research at prestigious institutions across Qatar and the region.


Qatar Tribune
18-05-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
WCM-Q probes link between insulin resistance and colorectal cancer
Tribune News Network Doha Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) have explored the possible links between insulin resistance and early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) in a new article published in Cancer Cell (Cell Press), a leading scientific journal. Cancer, regardless of type, is generally considered a disease that occurs later in life, typically after 50-60 years of age. Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Programme of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), USA, indicates that the median age of a cancer diagnosis is 66. However, more recently, younger individuals under the age of 45-50 have been diagnosed with cancers (early-onset cancers; EOCs). Although this shifting trend in cancer epidemiology has been reported previously, this occurrence gained significant attention in early 2024, with many major news outlets and research/medical institutions reporting a rise in EOCs. Among the various EOCs, gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC), seem to be rapidly increasing among the younger population. This trend appears similar for countries in the MENA region, including Qatar. 'As cancer researchers, we were captivated by the question of 'why this is happening?'' said Prof. Dietrich Büsselberg, professor of physiology and biophysics, one of the co-corresponding authors of the article. 'It is well known that genetic mutations that cause CRC and hereditary CRC-associated syndromes are highly penetrant and increase the risk of CRC. However, it is unlikely that this risk factor alone has changed so dramatically in successive generations of the population to account for the significant increase in EOCRC in recent years.' Dr. Samson Mathews Samuel, research associate in physiology and biophysics and co-corresponding author of the article, said: 'Our in-depth review of existing literature led us to identify a possible culprit behind this occurrence, namely insulin resistance.' A growing body of evidence points to insulin resistance, a hallmark of common metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, as a possible key risk factor contributing to the incidence and progression of EOCRC. Insulin resistance, defined as the inability of cells to respond to normal insulin, results in hyperinsulinemia (an increase in circulating insulin levels in the blood) much earlier in life than is typically recognized. Surprisingly, insulin resistance can drive metabolic changes very early in life and depends on several early-life external factors to which the individual is exposed. Elizabeth Varghese, a senior research specialist, is the other author of the paper, titled 'Complexity of insulin resistance in early-onset colorectal cancer'. The paper also infers that managing insulin resistance through dietary and/or lifestyle changes and therapeutic interventions is likely to be effective in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer among young individuals.


Al Bawaba
06-05-2025
- Health
- Al Bawaba
WCM-Q Student Research Forum showcases student innovation
Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) recently hosted its second annual Student Research Forum, showcasing 66 impressive scientific posters that demonstrate student innovation and scientific discovery. The forum serves as a platform for WCM-Q students to showcase their research efforts, exchange insights, and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers and faculty members. Attended by students, faculty, staff, and visitors, the one-day event was organized by the Student Research Forum Committee, which includes representatives from the divisions of Research and Medical Education at WCM-Q. The forum began with welcoming remarks from Dr. Ziyad Mahfoud, professor of research in population health sciences, and Dr. Nayef Mazloum, associate professor of microbiology & immunology/associate dean for student research. Both faculty members at WCM-Q. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Hanadi Sleiman, Canada Research Chair in DNA nanoscience at McGill University's Department of Chemistry. A fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), Prof. Sleiman is a pioneer in DNA nanotechnology. Her groundbreaking work involves designing DNA-based structures for applications in medicine, materials science, and nanotechnology. In her presentation, she explored how DNA nanostructures can be utilized as precision therapies. Following the keynote, WCM-Q alumnus Dr. Tariq Chukir, assistant professor of medicine at WCM-Q, discussed the disparities between obesity management medications in clinical trials and their real-world applications. Dr. Chukir also serves as a consultant at the National Obesity Treatment Centre at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Six oral research presentations were then delivered by students Latifa AlMahmoud, Pradipta Paul, Kevin Zhai, Hasan Alsetri, Nour Jaouni, and Fatima Almusleh. Their topics covered the impact of cyberbullying on adolescents, the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against pre-Omicron era SARS-CoV-2 infection, and corneal transplant risk factors, among others. The event concluded with the announcement of the winning students in the research contest. Dr. Mahfoud said: 'Research is one of the key pillars for advancing science and improving patient care. We were delighted to once again provide our students with a platform to showcase their research, exchange ideas, and take their research capabilities to the next level.' Dr. Mazloum said: 'This year, we were extremely proud to witness another impressive display of student innovation fueled by inspiring levels of determination and enthusiasm. I would like to sincerely thank our mentors for sharing their valuable expertise, as well as the divisions of Research and Medical Education for their ongoing support.' The winners of the oral presentation awards in the Area of Concentration (AOC) category were Kevin Zhai in first place (mentored by Dr. Evan Noch, UT Southwestern Medical Center), Latifa AlMahmoud in second (mentored by Dr. Ziyad Mahfoud, WCM-Q), and Pradipta Paul in third (mentored by Dr. Laith Abu Raddad, WCM-Q). The winners of the oral presentation awards in the Medical Students Research Award (MSRA) category were Fatima Almusleh in first place (mentored by Dr. Vidya Mohammed Ali, University College London), Hasan Alsetri in second (mentored by Dr. Zeba Syed, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia), and Nour Jaouni in third (mentored by Dr. Teresa Milner, WCM). The winners of the poster presentations awards in the AOC category were Aisha serpedin in first place (mentored by Dr. Anna Halama, WCM-Q), Shadi Mahmoud in second (mentored by Dr. Charbel Abi Khalil, WCM-Q), and Sara Mohamed in third (mentored by Dr. Ahmed Serag, WCM-Q). The poster presentation winners in the MSRA/Advanced Biomedical Sciences Research (ABSR) elective category were Fatima Al Mohammed in first place (mentored by Dr. David Kelsell, Queen Mary University of London), Zoya Salahuddin in second (mentored by Dr. Xiaojing Ma, WCM), and Maryam Al-Musleh in third (mentored by Dr. Nayef Mazloum, WCM-Q).