My name is Arij Fouzat, I earned my B.Sc. degree in biological science, minored chemistry in Spring 2019 from Qatar University. My interest in cancer research started in my undergraduate level as I involved in a UREP project testing the effect of Nigella sativa seeds extract against triple negative breast cancer. Before I started my graduate study, I worked as a research assistant in medicinal chemistry and cancer pathology labs in the college of pharmacy. After I enrolled in the MSc program at the College of Pharmacy, Qatar University in Fall 2020, I chose the phytochemistry and cancer biology research areas to find novel and potential anti-cancer agents from natural resources. In addition, I am developing a new in vivo cancer model by using fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster specifically for investigating colorectal cancer. After finishing my first year in the MSc program, I can say that the road to be a researcher is not easy and will never be however, it worth all the efforts and time spent to reach my academic and career goals.
Additionally, the college of pharmacy gave me the best opportunity to earn the required skills and knowledge to be a successful researcher and to build my future career. I am very thankful for Prof. Ashraf Khalil the Acting Head of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department and Professor of Medicinal Chemistry for believing in me in the first place and giving me the chance to be trained and work in his lab, also for supervising my MSc project in collaboration with Prof. Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa from the College of Medicine and Dr. Layla Kamareddine from the College of Health Sciences. Finally, I would thank all the faculty members in the college of Pharmacy for always supporting their students.
Sourour Idoudi is a current MSc student who joined the Program in September 2020. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of Arts and Sciences in Qatar University (QU) in May 2020. Her research entails nanoparticulate drug delivery with focus on the biocompatibility of chemotherapeutic efficacy of compounds from natural sources, such as curcumin. She received a Graduate Research Assistant (GTA) scholarship from QU in conjunction with her MSc project. Her dissertation is supervised by Prof. Nashiru Billa and co-supervised by Prof. Hesham Korashy from CPH, and Prof. Yousef Hijji from the Department of Chemistry and Earth Sciences in QU.
“Joining the pharmacy MSc program in Qatar University added to my academic knowledge as well as my research skills. As a non-pharmacy graduate, the journey in this program was challenging and worthy. With the continuous support of my supervisors and CPH faculty members, CPH became my second home. Also, I am always sincerely thankful to their endless support and encouragement through my journey in CPH.’’
Sabah Akhtar is our MSc graduate who joined the program in August 2019. She chose the Pharmaceutical Sciences as her research area with the focus on breast cancer stem cells. Under the supervision of Dr. Hesham Mohamed Korashy, Professor of pharmacology and toxicology, Sabah successfully defended her thesis entitled ‘Modulation of the molecular expression and function of BCL-2 family proteins by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in breast cancer stem cells of the MDA-MB-231’ on April 25th, 2021 via Webex. This was the first study to explore the correlation of environmental toxicant receptor and the BCL-2 proteins in cancer stem cells of triple negative breast cancer as well as in human breast cancer tissues.
During her MSc, Sabah published a review article as a first author in a high impact, international peer reviewed journal, ‘Seminars in Cancer Biology’ which discusses the involvement of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the epigenetic regulation of cancer stem cells. Moreover, she also published a research article as a co-author in peer reviewed journal ‘Chemical Research in Toxicology.’ An abstract from her MSc study was also accepted in an international conference ‘Experimental Biology’ which is held annually in US.
Sabah said: “the MSc program at College of Pharmacy helped shape my knowledge. This program is highly versatile which helps students to tailor the program according to their interests. The MSc program was an amazing opportunity for me as it enabled me to grow as a person and as a researcher by learning valuable skills. I have been very lucky to work in a healthy academic environment, under the supervision of highly skilled and knowledgeable professors.
Ghada Abdo is our MSc graduate who joined the program in September 2018. She completed her bachelor degree in Pharmacy in the College of Pharmacy at Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST) in June 2014. Ms. Ghada chose the nanomdicine research area with a focus on biocompatibility of novel drug nanocarriers for chemotherapeutic delivery. She received a scholarship and worked as a Graduate Research Assistant during her MSc program. Under the supervision of Dr. Ashraf Khalil, Ghada successfully defended her thesis titled “Surface Coating of Carbon Nanofiber by Mesoporous Silica: A Promising Strategy to Reduce its Toxicity During Embryogenesis”. Ms. Ghada successfully published four research articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals, in addition to one more article under review. In relation to her journey as a postgraduate student, Mrs. Ghada said: “My MSC experience was very fruitful, I have acquired a lot of invaluable experience and knowledge throughout my amazing journey. Being a postgraduate student in the College of Pharmacy was exceptional as the supportive research environment allowed me to have the opportunity to learn and to complete my research project smoothly. I am also truly blessed to work with such great scientists “my advisors”, their positivity, guidance, and continuous encouragement and support played an important role in my self-confidence and my output”.
Mohammad Al Mukdad enrolled in the MSc program at the College of Pharmacy, Qatar University (QU) in 2017. Mr. Al Mukdad started his BPharm degree in 2009 at Al Ba’ath University, Homs, Syria, then transferred to the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) in 2012 and graduated in 2015.
Mr. Al Mukdad was an active member of the student union at Pharmacy College, Al Ba’ath University, and worked as a research assistant at JUST, besides, completing a pharmacy intern. In 2015, he worked as a sales executive at Qatar International Medical Congress and IMDAD medical company in Qatar. During the first year in the MSc program, he was offered a scholarship from QU and worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for two years. In addition, he was the general secretary of the Pharmacy Postgraduate Society. Mr. AlMukdad participated in the Arab Innovation Academy 2020, which is sponsored by Qatar Science and Technology Park and European Innovation Academy, and won the first place with SALAMTAK innovation that is related to the management of chronic diseases. He also won third place at the Qatar SportsTech Hackathon with Qatar Development Bank as a founding partner.
Mr. AlMukdad was interested in the cost-effectiveness of anticoagulation pharmacotherapy. His MSc research was under the supervision of Dr. Hazem Elewa, an Associate Professor who’s research interest in the field of anticoagulation and personalized medicine in the cardiovascular diseases, and Dr. Daoud Al Badriyah, an Associate Professor of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research; both affiliated to the College of Pharmacy, QU. His thesis aimed at changing the practice and formulary inclusion of anticoagulant medications at HMC, through evidence-based research.
According to Mr. Al Mukdad, “I can recognize two versions of me, the one before enrolling in the MSc program, and the one after. The MSc. program changed my professional perspective and equipped me with the necessary tools to think critically and outside the box. During the program, I came up with the idea of SALAMTAK, which will help improve the lives of patients with chronic diseases and reduce the economic burden of these diseases on the healthcare system. I’m grateful for the opportunity that was given to me by the College of Pharmacy, Qatar University”. In May 2020, he successfully defended his thesis entitled 'Multi-criteria decision analysis model for the comparative inclusion of direct oral anticoagulants in Qatar'. Mr. AlMukdad had published one research article from his MSc project in a reputable peer-reviewed journal.
Ms. Sawsan AlMukdad is our MSc (Pharm) graduate who successfully defended her thesis entitled 'Economic Evaluation of the CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy Compared to the Universal Use of Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Qatar’ and graduated in May 2020.
Ms. Sawsan was awarded the 5th Graduate Sponsorship Research Award, QNRF, Qatar Foundation that supports outstanding graduate students by offering them competitive scholarships to undertake research-based graduate studies. In addition, her MSc project was evaluated competitively at different occasions, where she received the following in recognition of the quality of her MSc research including the second place at the TAD Bootcamp Award from the Office of Graduate Studies at the Qatar University Annual Research and best presentation award at the College of Pharmacy 9th Annual Student Research Forum. Ms. Sawsan successfully published three research articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals and participated in several international and national conferences. During her MSc study, she was the President of the Interprofessional Education (IPE) Student Association, in which she leads a group of health majoring students from all healthcare schools in Qatar to promote collaboration and to facilitate the interactions between the different healthcare students.
In relation to her journey as a postgraduate student, Ms. Sawsan said: “The College of Pharmacy, under the leadership of Dr. Mohammed Diab, has unlocked the doors of success and a career that I love. I feel attached to this institution as I spent seven years living in its halls, starting with a BSc degree and finishing with an MSc. Additionally, my truly dedicated supervisors Dr. Daoud Al-Badriyeh and Dr. Hazem Elewa were always keen to provide continuous support, and extensive personal and professional guidance. My overall experience as a postgraduate student in the College of Pharmacy was exceptional as the supportive research environment allowed me to have the opportunity to learn a valuable set of skills and knowledge.
Sara Abdulrhim is our MSc graduate who joined the program in September 2017. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy in the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University in June 2017. Ms. Sara chose the Clinical Pharmacy and Practice research area with a focus on collaborative care practices for diabetes in primary care settings. She received a scholarship and worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant during her MSc program. Under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Awaisu, Sara successfully defended her thesis titled “Exploring the Impact and Value of Collaborative Care Model in Diabetes Care at a Primary Healthcare Setting in Qatar” on March 2020 via zoom platform. Her project resulted in one publication in a reputable journal, with four more publications under review.
Sara stated: “the MSc journey gave me the opportunity to demonstrate evidence of outstanding performance in all areas of scholarship and academic endeavor. I have gained work-related skills and experience through being a Class Representative, Pharmacy Postgraduate Society President, and Graduate Teaching Assistant. I am proud to conduct a novel study that may potentially help to reduce the health and economic burden of diabetes in Qatar and the Middle East. Due to the current global public health crisis and closure of academic institutions, I was the pioneer student for the first online thesis defense at the College of Pharmacy. I sincerely thank all my supervisors for their continuous support and motivation. I would like also to thank Qatar University and the College of Pharmacy for the higher education standards and quality they provided me with and the professional support to make this opportunity achievable”.
Dania Al Masri joined the MSc program (Pharm) degree program in 2015. Ms. Dania graduated from Al Sahwa Schools (Oman) in 2005 and received her BSc (Pharm) from Oman Medical College (In academic partnership with West Virginia University, USA) in 2010. In 2011, she worked at the Regulatory Affairs Department of the International Medical Company (Kulud Pharmacy) for several years. Her main role was to ensure the appropriateness of licensing and the legal compliance of pharmaceutical and medical products with the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar. Along with that, she has work experience in community pharmacy and tenders. According to Ms Dania
“Having the opportunity to join the MSc (Pharm) degree program at College of Pharmacy introduced me to a new concept of learning. During this journey, I gained many skills and expanded my knowledge in pharmacy field including research. The program endorses variety of research in different aspects with opportunity to work closely with qualified supervisors and many available resources. These facilitators along with the support of all faculty members helped me in accomplishing my goal. Being a part of this program will advance me in getting better opportunities and a higher standard of qualifications career.”
The MSc program involves 33 credit-hours of didactic and research activity. Ms. Dania chose clinical pharmacy practice as the general focus for her thesis project and her MSc Supervisor was Dr. Kyle John Wilby. Ms. Dania Al Masri has graduated as our fifth batch in 2018.
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Myriam Jihad Jaam is our MSc (Pharm) graduate who successfully defended her thesis and graduated with distinction in June 2017. She completed her BSc degree in Pharmacy in the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University in 2015 after which she immediately enrolled into the MSc program. Myriam received a scholarship during her graduate studies and was working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) while completing her MSc project. Ms. Myriam’s interest is in clinical pharmacy and practice and she completed her MSc thesis entitled “Barriers to medication adherence in patients with uncontrolled diabetes in the primary healthcare setting in Qatar”, under the principal mentorship of Dr. Ahmed Awaisu (Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice). From her MSc project, Myriam successfully published four research articles in reputable peer reviewed journals, in addition to one more article under review. According to Myriam Jaam
“The MSc journey in the College of Pharmacy greatly enhanced my research skills and critical thinking. It gave me opportunities beyond my expectations, allowing me to showcase my research results at both national and international levels. Great thanks to my primary supervisor Dr. Ahmed Awaisu; without whose support and guidance I would not have succeeded. My sincere gratitude and appreciation also extends to my beloved College of Pharmacy that provided me with all the needful resources and opportunities to excel and my supervisory team (Drs. Mohamed Izham, Nadir Kheir, Mohammad Diab, and Muhammad Abdul Hadi). I am very thankful to Allah and greatly indebted to all for your support”.
Loulia Bader is one of our 5th class of MSc in pharmacy. Mrs. Loulia got her Bachelors Degree in Pharmacy from the Arab International University, Damascus, Syria in 2012. She moved to Qatar in winter 2012 and joined the MSc program in fall 2015. During her first year of study, she was offered a Graduate Assisstantship by the College of Pharmacy. During her second year, she got the opportuinity to work as a Research Assisstant at the College of Pharmacy for one year.
Mrs. Loulia was the first student to choose pharmacogenetics as an area of research. Her project focused primarily on the effect of pharmacogenetics on warfarin dosing in Qatari population. Since Pharmacogenetics is considered part of translational research, Mrs. Loulia’s project invloved both clinical and lab work. Her thesis project was supervised by Dr. Hazem Elewa and co-supervised by Dr. Fatima Mraiche and she graduated from the MSc program in the Fall of 2017.
“During my undergraduate years, I’ve always been passionate about genetics and lab work. When I first joined the program, I was thrilled knowing that I will be able to do my thesis project in Pharmacogenetics. Throughout my project I had the opportunity to interact with patients and healthcare providers, to expand my network and build connections. When it came to lab work, I learnt a lot of techniques that served my project and my work as a research assisstant. My two and a half years in this program have enriched my knowledge and skills, at both personal and professional levels, and I look forward to what comes next”.
Mrs. Amani Zidan joined the Master in Pharmacy (MSc -Pharm) degree program at Qatar University, College of Pharmacy, in 2014. Amani had received her BSc (Pharm) from Al-Kalamoon University, Syria in 2010. As an undergraduate student, she participated in conducting and publishing research projects in the field of pharmacy practice. In 2011, she worked at the Regulatory Affairs Department of a classified grade A Medical Company in Syria (Maatouk Drug Stores).
According to Amani “the MSC (Pharm) degree program at the College of Pharmacy has been a landmark in my academic career and also my life. From the first few months of this program, I started to gain knowledge on different aspects of research, and I started expanding my horizons about the cutting edge of pharmacy practice; especially on the area of patient-related outcomes and the burden of disease and treatments. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with highly qualified supervisors in a very supportive and friendly environment, which enriched my knowledge and expanded my research skills. I was also able to publish several articles in international scientific journals, which is a testament to the strength of the Masters program. This journey will certainly lead any academic advances that are yet to come.”
The MSc program involves didactic and research activity. Mrs. Amani chose clinical pharmacy practice as the general focus for her thesis project. Her work included using best practices to adapt a medication-related burden measuring instrument into the Arabic context, and use it to assess the burden resulting from the treatment of chronic conditions in Qatar. Her MSc Supervisor was Dr. Nadir Kheir. Mrs. Amani Zidan has graduated as our fourth batch in 2017.
Dina Abushanab completed her BSc in Pharmacy from the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University (QU) in 2015. Immediately upon graduation, Dina decided to follow up on her studies at the same college with a Master degree under the supervision of Dr. Daoud Al-Badriyeh, an Associate Professor of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research in the College of Pharmacy. In 2017, Ms. Dina successfully completed her Master studies and was the first QU graduate to be awarded an MSc degree in Pharmacoeconomics.
During her postgraduate studies, Ms. AbuShanab was employed as a Research Assistant as well as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in her college. During which, she was also performing the role of the President of the Pharmacy Postgraduate Society, the first postgraduate society in QU.
In 2017, Ms. Dina was also the first to be hired in the position of a Hospital Pharmacoeconomist in Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the main healthcare provider in Qatar, incorporating eight major hospitals in the country. She is currently positioned in the Drug Information and Research Center, at the corporate level of HMC, where she contributes to and lead several research projects for guiding practices in HMC, also maintaining various research collaborations with her MSc supervisor, Dr. Daoud Al-Badriyeh in QU. Dina, in addition, performs pharmacoeconomics consulting services for the corporate Pharmacy & Therapeutic Committee of the HMC.
Ms. Dina successfully obtained student and competitive QU research grants. She received the best poster and oral thesis presentation awards in research events at the university level. She presented at several national as well as international research events, in addition to leading continuing education workshops in hospitals. Ms. Dina is also a current active member of the Qatar Chapter of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, Qatar.
Nada Abdel Rida graduated with an MSc from CPH in 2017. Ms. Nada is a PharmD graduate from the Lebanese University in 2007 (Lebanon). Prior to joining the program in 2015, Nada had broad professional experience including managing a community pharmacy, working for a pharmaceutical import and distribution company (both in Lebanon), as well as a teacher (Saudi Arabia). Once relocated to Qatar, she joined the MSc program at Qatar University. She chose the Clinical Pharmacy and Practice research area with a focus on issues of access to medicines based on her previous work experience. Her MSc project combined an analysis of pharmaceutical pricing policies in developing countries and their implementation in Qatar and Lebanon, along with a survey of medicines prices, availability and affordability in both countries under the supervision of Professor Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim. During the two-year program, Nada published three journal articles and a book chapter. She also had the chance to participate in the WHO Technical Briefing Seminar in Geneva where she shared her research findings with WHO professionals.
“Joining the MSc program in Qatar University added to my academic knowledge and research skills. Earning this degree was challenging and worthwhile. As keen as I was to finish this degree, it was hard to know that I will eventually have to step forward and away from CPH that became my second home. The program offers diverse specialties that match individual needs and aspirations, where all faculty members are always eager to help, orient and support their students.”
Nada Khudair earned her BSc and MSc in Pharmacy from Qatar University. Her enthusiasm towards pharmaceutical research was noticeable during her undergraduate years in which she was involved in two UREP projects evaluating clinical and community pharmacist roles in health care settings in Qatar. Both projects resulted in published papers and international conference presentations. Before undertaking post graduates studies in 2014, Nada worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, where she was responsible for the design and implementation of several clinical research projects focused on Diabetes Mellitus, Gestational Diabetes, Obesity, Sleep as well as Polysomnography studies.
As a multidisciplinary researcher, Nada chose her MSc research to be in the field of Pharmaceutics with a special focus on nanotechnology. Her dissertation was supervised by Dr. Abdelbary Elhissi and co-supervised by Dr. Husam Younes. Her project was to design, formulate and evaluate the physicochemical and cytotoxicity characteristics of nonionic surfactants vesicles (Niosomes) using Letrozole as a model drug for the treatment of breast cancer. She took part in several regional and international conferences to present and discuss her project with pioneers from all healthcare institutions around the globe. Currently, Nada rejoined Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar with a new role in the Research Compliance Office, where she got her hands-on overseeing all compliance requirements relating to the performance of human and animal research, conflict of interest, scientific misconduct and data and safety monitoring recommendations to study principle investigators.
Khaled Hassan Al Zahabi joined the MSc program (Pharm) degree program in September 2013. Mr. Khaled got his general certificate of secondary education GCSE from Al Sa'ada School in Syria in 2006 and received his BSc (Pharm) from Damascus University in 2011. During his BSc studies, he was intensively trained in the main pharmacy of the Red Crescent Organization in Syria. In 2011, he worked in the domain of Sales & Marketing in different pharmaceutical companies in Syria and Qatar. His duties and responsibilities were to design and implement a strategic sales plan to expand the company's customer base and ensure its strong presence.
According to Mr. Khaled: “Allow me first, to express my deepest gratitude for being accepted in the master's program at College of Pharmacy in Qatar University. During this journey, I remarkably expanded my knowledge and gained many theoretical and practical skills in the research and development of the pharmaceutical active ingredients. Being part of this program gave me the chance to get superior work opportunities in my career''
The MSc program involves 33 credit-hours of didactic and research activity. Mr. Khaled chose Pharmaceutics as the general focus for his thesis project and his MSc Supervisor was Dr. Husam Younes. Mr. Khaled Al Zahabi has graduated as our third batch in 2016.
Ahmed H. Sobh joined the MSc program (Pharm) degree program in 2013. Mr. Sobh graduated from Yehya El Rafei language school (Egypt) in 2007 and received his BSc (Pharm) from Ain Shams University in 2012. He worked for a year as a community and hospital pharmacist before joining the program in 2013. According to Mr. Sobh:
“Joining the MSc. program in the College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, has surely affected my life greatly in so many ways. I learned to be an independent learner and researcher. It enhanced my communication and presentation skills greatly. Add to the knowledge I acquired, I believe that living this M.Sc. experience has changed my style of life, made it better. Thank God, now I am teaching in the Faculty of Pharmacy, El Ahram Canadian University in Egypt and I can see the impact it has on me compared to my colleagues here”
Mr. Sobh chose pharmacy education as the general focus of his thesis project and his MSc Supervisor was Dr. Kyle John Wilby. Mr. Ahmed H. Sobh has graduated as our third batch in 2016. He was the first graduate to receive it from the Clinical Pharmacy Department at Qatar University.
Youmna Hassouna joined the MSc program (Pharm) degree program in September 2012 with specialty of pharmaceutics under supervision of Dr. Husam Younes. Ms. Youmna graduated from Al Sayeda Aisha Language Schools (Egypt) in 2006 and received her BSc (Pharm) from College of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University (Egypt) in 2011. She was working as a community pharmacist and she acquired various trainings and courses at the Egyptian Pharmacist Syndicate.
According to Ms. Youmna:
“I consider myself very blessed to be accepted in the MSc program. It was a turning point in my life as I have developed countless skills and knowledge in both life and on research basis as well. It was the first time for me to get introduced to research and laboratory work. I express my gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor, Dr. Husam Younes and the supervisory committee members at College of Pharmacy, Qatar University for the extreme support and help they offered to me.
My master thesis focused on synthesis and characterization of a novel family of thermally crosslinked biodegradable elastomers which proved to be excellent matrices for delivery of therapeutic proteins, tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. This work enabled me to publish my results in high impact factor journal and gave me the opportunity to conduct a training internship to learn cell culture techniques at the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Bristol University (UK). I was also able to present my work in many regional and international conferences.
Ms. Youmna chose pharmaceutics as the general focus for her thesis project. Ms. Youmna Hassouna has graduated as our second batch in 2015.
Iman Abdel Aziz was the first graduate to be admitted to this new MSc (Pharm) degree program in Qatar. Ms. Iman graduated from Qatar International School in 2005 and received her BSc (Pharm) from Ahram Canadian University (Egypt) in 2010. She was working as a teaching assistant at this Middle East university when accepted to the program in May 2011. She also has work experience in community pharmacy and learning centre environments. According to Ms. Iman:
"Being accepted into the Master's program is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. In only four short months, I have learned probably more than I ever did in one year of under graduate studies. The College of Pharmacy at QU is not just a learning institute I go to, it has become a second home to me. I just know that this is the beginning of an endless set of opportunities, thanks to the continuous support of the respectable members of this elite society."
The MSc program involves 33 credit-hours of didactic and research activity. Ms. Iman has chosen pharmacology as the general focus for her thesis project and her MSc Supervisor will be Dr. Fatima Mraiche. Ms. Iman Abdel Aziz has graduated as our first batch in early 2014.