Four Qatari scientists have received certificates marking their completion of the sixth Biomedical Research Training Programme for Nationals.

The annual programme is held by Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) and aims to help create the scientists of the future by giving talented Qatari graduates the opportunity to spend six months working in WCM-Q’s state-of-the-art laboratories learning key scientific research and administrative skills.

This year four graduates - Naira al-Thani, Khaloud al-Turki, Moza al-Kuwari and Njoud al-Naama - who have backgrounds in biology, sociology and biomedical science, have completed the programme. Interns who complete the training learn a variety of skills that will help in their long-term research careers, including practical bench work, project design and research administration, among many other key competencies. Now in its sixth installment, the programme has trained 28 interns and is closely aligned with Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Research Leadership Programme.

Khaloud al-Turki has a degree in sociology and business from Qatar University (QU). She said QU had encouraged her to join the Biomedical Research Training Programme and that she had spent her time working in research administration.

Khaloud said: “I have been working on a project with the grants team to look at funding opportunities as well as working with the finance department to track accounts and balances.

“I would like to get involved with the research industry in the future as it’s an area that’s growing across the country and I’ve been really happy to work at WCM-Q.”

Njoud al-Naama has a degree in biology from Cornell University and is a graduate associate in research at Sidra Medical and Research Center. She wanted to gain more research experience at WCM-Q. Njoud has been working in the laboratory of Dr. Alice Abdul Aleem, assistant research professor of neuroscience, and assistant research professor of neurology, investigating a potential genetic cause of the disease microcephaly. Njoud now hopes to eventually join a PhD programme.

Dr Khaled Machaca, associate professor of research at WCM-Q, said the four interns had great futures ahead of them.   

Dr Machaca said: “Khaloud, Njoud, Moza and Naira have all proven to be great assets to the college and the laboratories they have worked in and I offer them my sincerest congratulations for completing the programme.

“More than that, though, they are contributing to Qatari research capacity; they are the next generation of home-grown scientists and research administrators who will make a very real contribution to not only the creation of a knowledge-based economy, but to the creation of knowledge itself.

“I wish them the very best of luck for the future.”