The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program, in partnership with Khalifa University of Science and Technology, celebrated a decade of empowering female scientists from the GCC in the fields of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, who have blazed trails and are changing the landscape of scientific discovery in the region.
The programme marked the 10th anniversary with a ceremony on 20 September 2023 in Dubai, the UAE, awarding 11 visionary researchers from the GCC underscoring their pivotal role in advancing knowledge, finding solutions to pressing global issues, and pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding.
From Qatar, 29-year-old Egyptian PhD student Nadin Nagy Mahmoud Younes has been named as one of the six winners for her research on the development of low-cost, easy-to-use tests (LFAs) for the early and rapid detection of Norovirus (NoV) and Hepatitis E (HEV). She received a grant of EUR8,000 for her research. Her project focuses on the development of two lateral flow assays (LFAs) for the early and rapid detection of Norovirus (NoV) and Hepatitis E (HEV), two significant foodborne pathogens with the potential for serious health consequences.
‘The inspiration behind my project is rooted in the urgent need for prompt, affordable, and easily accessible diagnostic solutions, particularly in the context of infectious disease outbreaks. We’ve seen the pivotal role of rapid antigen tests in managing COVID-19 infections, but similar solutions are lacking for highly contagious viruses like NoVs and HEV,’ she said.
‘Norovirus, recognised for its highly contagious nature, frequently triggers extensive outbreaks worldwide, resulting in severe gastroenteritis. On the other hand, Hepatitis E can lead to acute liver inflammation, posing a significant risk, particularly for pregnant women. Moreover, the potential transmission of HEV through blood transfusions adds to the urgency of early detection. My goal is to transform point-of-care diagnostics by creating LFAs targeting NoV and HEV. These tests allow for the rapid identification of infectious agents and the immediate implementation of crucial infection control measures. Traditional diagnostic methods like PCR and ELISA, due to their complexity and cost, often hinder quick responses during outbreaks. Furthermore, the applications of this research go beyond clinical settings. These LFAs can be adapted for testing not only clinical samples but also food and environmental samples, enhancing food safety and public health management,’ said Younes.
Younes is a PhD candidate at Qatar University’s (QU) College of Health Sciences. ‘I’ve had the privilege of calling Qatar my home since 1999, and it’s where I’ve completed my entire educational path. My academic journey in Biomedical Sciences started with my BSc and MSc degrees, both of which I earned at QU in 2016 and 2019, respectively,’ she said. It was at QU where she found her interest in infectious diseases. ‘I joined the Biomedical Research Center (BRC) as a research assistant under the guidance of Dr Gheyath K Nasrallah. This experience deepened my commitment to research and allowed me to engage in hands-on laboratory experiments. My focus on infectious diseases expanded significantly, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. I worked on several projects related to the serological diagnosis and immune response of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients to SARS-CoV-2,’ she said.
In 2021, she received the Graduate Sponsorship Research Award from Qatar National Research Funds (QNRF), which enabled her to pursue a PhD in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at QU. At 29, she is already a PhD student with more than 35 published articles in prestigious scientific journals.
Each year, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programmes support more than 250 talented young women researchers. Through its 52 regional and national programmes, L’Oréal and UNESCO support them at a crucial period in their careers, during their thesis or post-doctoral studies.
The regional programme is part of the L’Oréal-UNESCO’s global For Women in Science initiative that has already recognised over 4,100 phenomenal researchers and more than 127 International Laureates – five of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes – from more than 110 countries since its inception in 1998.
Since its inception in the GCC in 2014, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program has made prodigious strides in nurturing and furthering the research endeavors of 51 female Arab scientists by awarding endowments totaling QAR 3.3 mn (AED 3.4 mn) and supporting their professional growth.
Working in the physical, formal and life sciences on five different continents, these eminent women researchers are helping change the world through their discoveries, and are also role models for younger generations of women researchers who want to pursue their scientific careers and break the glass ceiling.
This year, Younes is the only winner from Qatar. However, many women from Qatar have been named winners in the past. ‘Hearing the news that I was the only recipient of the L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science award from Qatar filled me with immense joy and motivation. It wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was a reminder that dedication and hard work can lead to remarkable achievements, something that’s especially significant in a world where recognition for scientists, and particularly for women, is a rarity,’ she said.
‘This recognition is not solely a personal achievement; it stands as a testament to Qatar’s commitment to empowering and supporting women in STEM fields. Having called Qatar my home for over two decades, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the nation’s unwavering commitment to advancing education, research, and innovation. So, in a way, living in Qatar has uniquely prepared me for this incredible opportunity,’ she added.
Since 2016, a total of seven winners from Qatar have been named the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science including Maha Al Asmakh (2016), Isra Yousef Marei (2020), Nura Adam Mohamed (2021), Arij Yehya (2021), Fatiha M Benslimane (2022) and Nadin Nagy Mahmoud Younes (2023).
The 2023 Middle East Regional Young Talents
PhD students
· Sara Ishaq Alkhoori (UAE): For her research on examining eco-friendly biofuel production to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change, yielding universal benefits.
· Lila Ali Aldakheel (KSA): For her research on identifying groups of microorganisms that can break down plastic to manage waste and help the environment.
· Nadin Nagy Mahmoud Younes (Qatar): For her research on the development of low-cost, easy-to-use tests (LFAs) for the early and rapid detection of Norovirus (NoV) and Hepatitis E (HEV).
Post-doctorate researchers
· Dr Noha Mousaad Elemam (UAE): For her research on developing early breast cancer biomarkers with the goal of understanding cancer progression and achieving better patients’ survival rates.
· Dr Dana Alsulaiman (KSA): For her research on addressing challenges in cancer diagnosis through advanced biosensing platforms to enhance early disease detection and better prognosis globally.
· Dr Fatma H Al Awadhi (Kuwait): For her research on exploring the marine biodiversity in the Gulf region for untapped therapeutic potential.
About the 2022 Middle East Regional Young Talents:
PhD students:
· Hessa Ebrahim Ali Alfalahi (UAE): For her research on early detection and diagnosis of depression and Parkinson’s disease using smartphone data collected in-the-wild through novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms.
· Ayesha Abdulla Alkhoori (UAE): For her research on converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into clean fuel to alleviate global warming and provide a solution for the energy depletion crisis.
Post-doctorate researchers:
· Dr Maha Zakariya Yahya Al Riyami (Oman): For her research on investigating somatic mutations in type 1 diabetes that can lead to new avenues for autoimmunity research.
· Dr Raefa Abou Khouzam (UAE): For her research on investigating new treatment strategies to counter pancreatic cancer growth and evolution.
· Dr Fatiha M Benslimane (Qatar): For her research on developing a fast, reliable and cost-effective protocol for microbial analysis to allow real-time diagnosis.
The 10th edition of the programme housed an impressive jury of eight renowned experts from prestigious institutions in the Middle East including Dr Thurayya Arayssi from Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q), the first medical school in Qatar, offering a programme of pre-medical and medical studies leading to the Cornell University MD degree.
L’Oréal and UNESCO have worked together for more than 20 years to help empower more women scientists to achieve scientific excellence and participate equally in solving the great challenges facing humanity.
For more information on L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, visit forwomeninscience.com