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Inspirational WCM-Q science scholarships for high schoolers

Alanoud Al-Aqeedi with Dr. Stefan Worgall.
Alanoud Al-Aqeedi with Dr. Stefan Worgall.

Three high school students who won an all-expenses paid research scholarship to the laboratories of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York have spoken about their experiences.

Alanoud Mohammed Al-Aqeedi, who attends Qatar Academy, Lulwa Al-Hareth Al-Khater of Vision International School; and Shaikha Mohammed Al-Amri of Al-Eman Independent School for Girls, were awarded the scholarships after submitting the best essays in Weill Cornell Medicine- Qatar’s (WCM-Q) annual Healing Hands essay writing competition. A fourth student - Jawaher Rashid Al-Sulaiti of American School of Doha – was also awarded a scholarship but was unable to travel as she was representing Qatar at a science Olympiad.           

Alanoud, Lulwa and Shaikha, who each travelled with a family member, spent a week in the world-class biomedical research laboratories at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, attending lectures with faculty and visiting NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, before travelling to Cornell University in Ithaca and experiencing life on campus in upstate New York. This latter section of the trip gave the three a broader experience of student life, allowing them to better understand the ethos of Cornell and what it means to be an undergraduate student at the institution.           

Each of the three winners then returned to WCM-Q to discuss their experiences with Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of the college.   

Dr. Sheikh said: “This is one of my favorite programs; we are able to give academically brilliant high school students the opportunity to experience professional biomedical research with some of the best scientists in the world. These scholarships allow us to pique their curiosity and develop their critical thinking ability.

“I have no doubt that these three talented young women will make wonderful physicians and I hope that they pursue their keen interest in medicine and science and apply to WCM-Q’s medical program in due course.” 

The three worked in the laboratory of Dr. Randi Silver, Weill Cornell Medicine associate dean and professor of physiology and biophysics, whose work focuses on receptor mediated regulation of plasma membrane transporters; and Dr. Stefan Worgall, distinguished professor of pediatric pulmonology, whose research includes studies on adenovirus-based vaccines, and macrophages and dendritic cells in cystic fibrosis.          

Lulwa, who would eventually like to qualify a surgeon, said: “In Dr. Silver’s lab we learned about the equipment used and specialist techniques like micro-pipetting and in Dr. Worgall’s we helped with an experiment looking at the effect of an adenovirus on lung tissue.           

“The program was amazing and I enjoyed every little bit. The labs were really interesting but also they were fun environments to work in.           

“Ithaca was gorgeous and the campus itself was huge and very beautiful; you would wake up in the morning and just see all this greenery. It would make you happy just seeing the campus each day.”

Alanoud said: “The experience was mind-blowing. In the labs I realized how much precision and accuracy and attention to detail is required for the research. There was also a very good balance between experiencing the campus, working in the labs and getting to know the faculty.”

Shaikha added: “We learned amazing things. Even though Ithaca was wonderful with the nature and the weather, the lab work in New York was the best, it was just so interesting.”       

The Healing Hands essay contest is held annually and is open to Qatari high school students with an interest in science. Details about next year’s competition will be announced in February. For more information, visit https://qatar-weill.cornell.edu/prospective-students/qatar-doctor-of-the-future-scholarships.

Second, third and fourth left: Lulwa Al-Khater, Shaikha Al-Amri and Alanoud Al-Aqeedi, with family and faculty members.