REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS

of  

Dubai Harvard Foundation's Second Scientific Symposium

BUILDING A RESEARCH CAREER: THE PATH TO SUCCESS

Baniyas Room, Grand Hyatt Dubai
P.O. Box 7978, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sunday, December 9, 2007. 9:30 am – 3:45 pm

INTRODUCTION

The Second Annual Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research Young Investigators Conference, Building a Career in Research: The Path to Success, held in Dubai, UAE, on December 9, 2007 was attended by more than 50 young research scientists and academic leaders from the Gulf region and abroad. The aim of the event was to encourage the regional investigators at the beginning or the early stages of their career, currently working in the medical and biomedical research communities at home and abroad, to take an active part in the scientific resurgence taking place in the region. They heard first-hand what it means to be a researcher today in a world where frequent and rapid developments in science can re-direct the path of a research career, and had the opportunity to share their research endeavors and exchange ideas with researchers from similar disciplines.  They also heard about health, medical, and biomedical issues of concern to the Gulf and Middle East that could play a significant role in the direction of future research endeavors, and learned how current developments in science and medicine continue to affect career paths in research.

PROGRAM

MORNING PROGRAM

Opening Remarks

The conference was convened with opening remarks from Dr. Mohamed Sayegh, Warren Grupe - John P. Merrill Professor of Transplantation Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital Transplantation Research Center, who welcomed the faculty and delegates, thanking them for taking part in the event. Dr. Sayegh also serves as Chairman of the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research’s Scientific Advisory Committee, and he emphasized the importance of being involved in the work of the Foundation.  He noted that the Foundation’s grants are open to all researchers from the Middle East as well as those taking part in medical and biomedical research relevant to this part of the world. He also noted that the conference will address challenges that the Foundation and researchers in the region are facing, encouraging participants to take an active part in identifying and addressing them. He also stressed that the conference aims to identify existing collaborations in the region, as well as to help form new ones pertinent to this part of the world, such as diabetes, basic science research, and beyond. 

Introduction to the Dubai-Harvard Collaboration

Dr. Robert L. Thurer, Executive Director of the Foundation and Chief Academic Officer, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center, welcomed the conference attendees, paying a special welcome to the Deans and Vice Deans from the region’s faculties of medicine. Dr. Thurer reminded the attendees that this year the Foundation will give out two awards, expressing hope that next year there will be a few additional ones. These grants, he noted, will open the door to scientific research in the region as well as help establish self-sustainable research centers and education programs. Leading medical researchers from Harvard Medical School, through their collaboration, will set up independent research centers and education programs in this part of the world. In return, these new centers and collaborations will enable young scientists in the region to become leaders in scientific research, impacting the development of new treatment for geographically specific diseases.

Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi’s welcome

Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City, encouraged young scientists to take an active role in the growing scientific research in the region.  A graduate of the University of Texas, Houston, School of Public Health, Dr. Al-Hashimi developed the first atlas of cancer mortality for the UAE as part of her doctoral dissertation, and went on to become the co-founder and coordinator of the Bachelor of Science Health Education program at Sharjah Women’s College. Later on she joined DHCC as Director of Education at Harvard Medical School Dubai Center Institute for Post Graduate Education and Research (HMSDC). Pointing to the need for determination and perseverance in academic research, she urged the young researchers to take an active role in the creation of the regional centers of excellence, encouraging them to challenge the standards and take an active part in creation of a progressive and thriving scientific and academic environment in the region.

KEYNOTE LECTURE

A keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Vamsi Mootha, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Center for Human Genetic Research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and an Associate Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

Dr. Mootha, a 2004 MacArthur Genius Award recipient for his contributions to mitochondrial biology and genomics, expressed the importance of accepting new challenges and risks as a part of an academic career.  Sharing with the attendees the experience he gained as an undergraduate student in mathematical and computational science at Stanford University and later on as a graduate student at the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Dr. Mootha encouraged young scientists to explore diverse and non-conventional educational and career paths.  As an example of such an approach he pointed to his lab, where his team uses a combination of biochemical physiology, genomics, computation, and clinical medicine, to systematically identify the genes and networks underlying mitochondrial function in health and in disease.

He also encouraged young researchers to actively seek mentorship, take on problems with passion, apply new technologies to old problems, and bridge discipline through collaboration. He also urged them to take advantage of their unique cultural backgrounds while pursuing their goals. This is very important in an area such as the Gulf region, where the number of rare diseases and the socio-economic changes demand a unique and aggressive approach to scientific research and in the quest for the cures for human ills.

Remarks by Dr. Zareen Gauhar

Dr. Zareen Gauhar, who came to the United States from Dubai, shared with the attendees her experience at American graduate schools. Formerly a graduate student at Yale University, and currently a Research Fellow at the Department of Human Genetics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Dr. Gauhar remarked that American universities offer international students a comprehensive array of study. Faculty and teaching staff are often leading authorities in their respective fields, whose work is published in leading medical journals worldwide. Moreover, access to comprehensive and the most up-to-date literature, lab facilities, resources, and research material provides students with the ability to focus on a vast area of subjects, preparing them with a bread, and worldwide view of their field. The most modern medical equipment in the research labs allows students to maximize their true potential and gain experience that is marketable in the real world. Many choices and directions available at American universities present a challenge to young students and having a good mentor is a valuable asset. Nonetheless, discipline, creativity, curiosity, defining goals, and independence are the foundation of academic and scientific success.

Both Dr. Mootha and Dr. Gauhar then answered comments or responded to comments from the audience.  In response to comments about mentorship as young scientists, both speakers emphasized the importance of working with mentors that young scientists can learn from and respect, but they also advocated the importance of “challenging” or questioning mentors’ advice, as appropriate.  Also discussed was the importance of a Liberal Arts education at the undergraduate level, as experienced in the United States.  Dr. Nadim Cortas stressed that agility of thought and adaptation in thinking all depend on a Liberal Arts education; one of the conference attendees commented on the importance of identfying good collaborators, good mentors and the right technologies to work with; Dr. Gita Raj commented that research institutions are still working to find the root cause of many didseases, but the technology available has improved greatly.

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

During the afternoon session of the conference, delegates worked in pre-arranged groups, each aided by facilitators from the conference faculty and staff. Groups brought up and discussed a number of issues, which were systemized and later on presented to the conference for further discussion.

The focal points of the group discussions were challenges and opportunities the regional researchers are facing, along with the current status and the future directions of research in the region.

The issues addressed were as follows:

Challenges of medical and biomedical study in the region

Dr. Mootha opened the discussion by asking the group about the significance of assessing the epidemiology of diseases that affect the region and the region’s population groups. The need for better access to medical data was addressed, especially those pertaining to Gulf region Arabs, North African Arabs, and the expatriates and guest workers, taking into account the large ethnic diversity in the Gulf and Middle East region. As there is lack of a public health institute in the region, the role of the Foundation in the study of factors affecting the health and illness of the regional population and for identifying risk factors was disused. Although infectious diseases were declining in the region, a number of other ones, such as diabetes and CVC, were increasingly affecting the regional population, demanding swift and appropriate action.  In addition, this is compounded by cultural factors, such as consanguinity, that can increase the occurrence of genetic diseases.

Among the guidelines discussed were the following:

Initiating new collaborations in the region

Dr. Sayegh reiterated the Foundation’s goal and determination to create local research centers in the region based on collaboration between the research centers at Harvard University and associated labs in the Gulf region. He also noted that although the Foundation is encouraging novel and important research actions, it is not going to micromanage the projects from Harvard. Instead, the researchers are given autonomy to do it themselves, while informing the Foundation on the ways the funds are spent and the research conducted, within the Foundation’s guidelines and regulations. Their success, and thus future funding, will be measured by high quality publications and the scientific output, along with the ability to attract scientists and additional sources of funding.

Stressing the importance of additional funding for the new regional centers through cooperation with the governmental sector, Dr. Sayegh noted that the relationship between academic community and private sectors should be further explored, and that there should be a continuous communication between researchers and:

Challenge of connecting Harvard and regional researchers

Making connections with HMS faculty in order to develop collaborative programs and train talented scientists from the Gulf Region was addressed as one of the main issues facing the local researchers.  It has been agreed that the approach to this problem should be multifaceted. Creation of an appropriate database, along with systematization of already existing information available at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School will be explored. Moreover, the Foundation should use its resources to create a network of scientists and academics with an interest in regional scientific research and collaboration. Foundation staff will make all efforts to identify collaborators and facilitate possible collaborations.

Establishment of new grants for regional researchers

The number of grants is critical to the development of an infrastructure in the region that would produce results and spur collaboration. These grants should also include a wide range of areas of scientific research. The Foundation, in collaboration with Dubai Healthcare City and Dubai Press Club, also awards a weeklong fellowship program at Harvard Medical School (HMS) designed to give the journalists the opportunity to increase the depth and breadth of their reporting on health care, medical innovation, and scientific research. Although the benefits and challenges of funding for visiting students were discussed, it was reiterated that the Foundation’s grants and awards are designed to train graduates in scientific research at a doctoral and a postdoctoral level.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Dr. Sayegh thanked the participants for taking an active role in the Second Annual Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research Young Investigators Conference and for creating a dynamic and challenging forum for discussion. He stressed that awareness regarding the role of scientific research in the region’s development continues to be one of the main challenges facing its emergence and further development. Among other things, increasing the number of grants will continue to be a priority, and the Foundation will continue its remarkable and continual fundraising efforts. Although the number of grants cannot accommodate all applicants, the Foundation encourages those who do not qualify in any year to reapply during the following year’s funding cycle..

The Foundation will also continue to hold its regular conferences in Boston, Dubai, and the region, in order to educate local scientists and hear their concerns and thoughts, as well as to instigate and facilitate dialogues between researchers themselves, contributing to a build up of a dynamic and productive scientific and research environment in the region.

CONFERENCE DELEGATES

Abdilshakur Abdulle
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Mahera Abdulrahman
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Chaker Adra
King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KSA)

Abdullah Al-Dafyan
King Faisal Research Center (UAE)

Muhadditha Al Hashimi
CEO, Dubai Healthcare City (UAE)

Abdulmonem Al Hayani
King Abdul Aziz University (KSA)

Dean Khaled Al Kattan
Al Faisal University (KSA)

Fuzan Al Khalidi
Harvard Medical School Dubai Center (UAE)

Ali Al Marzouqi
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Dean F Adnan Al Mazrooa
King Abdulazez University (KSA)

Mai Al-Mohanna
King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KSA)

Maha Al-Mozaini
King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KSA)

Afra Al Murri
General Health Authority, Abu-Dhabi (UAE)

Alawi Alsheikh-Ali
Tufts-New England Medical Center (USA)

Habiba Al-Safar
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Hessah Alshammri
King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KSA)

Nauf Bendar Al-Saud
King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KSA)

Haya Al-Saud
King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KSA)

Alia Al Theeb
Gulf News (UAE)

Abdulah Al-Tamimi
King Saud University (KSA)

Fahad Al-Zadjali
Sultan Qaboos University (Oman)

Bassam Ali
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Sumaya Ali
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Amr Amin
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Mustafa Ardah
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Hutoof Jamal Ayoub
Dubai Medical College (UAE)

Riad Bayoumi
Sultan Qaboos University (Oman)

Tavoos Hassan Bhat
Bundelkhand University (India)

Jasmine Bhathena
McGill University (Canada)

Abdel Hakim Bishawi
Harvard Medical School Dubai Center (UAE)

Deborah Loeb Bohren
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)

Deepa Chandran
(UAE)

Dean Nadeem Cortas
American University of Beirut (Lebanon)

Omar El-Agnaf
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Assistant Dean Sehamuddin Galadari
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Zareen Gauhar
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University (USA)

Hamid Hashemi
University College London (UK)

Ahmed Hassan
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Nadeya Ibrahaim
Al Bayan, UAE

Hussein Karnib
American University of Beirut (Lebanon)

Associate Dean Esheba Mathew
Gulf Medical College, Ajman (UAE)

Mariam Mauzi
Sharjah Medical District (UAE)

Abrar Mikkawi
Gulf Today (AUE)

Vamsi Mootha
Massachusetts General Hospital
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (USA)

Meis Moukayed
American University in Dubai (UAE)

Dean Gita Ashok Raj
Gulf Medical College (UAE)

K.G. Ramesh
Gulf Medical College, Ajman (UAE)

Tahir A. Rizvi
United Arab Emirates University (UAE)

Mariam Sabbah
Weill Cornel Medical College in Qatar (Qatar)

Mohamed Sayegh
Brigham and Women’s Hospital (USA)

Mohammad Khalid Siddiqui
Manipal Universtiy, Dubai Campus (UAE)

Zeina Tannous
Harvard Medical School (USA)

Associate Dean Fuad Ziyadeh
American University of Beirut (Lebanon)

Facilitators from Harvard Medical School Dubai Center and the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research:

Robert Thurer

Abdulkareem Al-Olama

Muna Al-Saffar

Sehamuddin Galadari

Zareen Gauhar

Vamsi Mootha

Mohamed Sayegh

Robin Wheatley

Recorder:

Jasmin Mehovic


Special thanks to DHCC staff:

Sulaiman Baharoun

Hala Shazia Bhat

Christine Chalhoub

Natasha D'Souza

Marlene Hilal

Nagham Kaouk