Student wins prestigious research award

Third-year medical student Subhi Al'Aref
accepts the Trainee Award for Research
at the Tamayoz Awards in Dubai on April 19

Third-year medical student Subhi Al'Aref is one step closer to his dream of a career in medical research after winning a month-long all expenses paid internship at a Harvard affiliated hospital or laboratory in Boston, Massachusetts, in a prestigious regional healthcare competition.

In a courageous move, typical of this determined student, Subhi entered Harvard Medical School Dubai Center's (HMSDC) Tamayoz Awards, even though they called for intern and resident entries; there was no mentionof medical students on the advertisements. His initiative paid off when he won the Trainee Award for Research.

Subhi was honoured, along with other competitors and in the presence of his family, at a ceremony in Dubai on April 19.

Subhi accepts a one-month all expenses
paid internship at a Harvard affiliated
hospital or laboratory in Boston, Masschusetts

The Tamayoz Awards recognise excellence in medical research and outstanding accomplishments in clinical care and aim to promote the academic careers of young healthcare professionals.

Subhi's award acknowledged his efforts in four diverse research projects.

The first was a summer research project at Weill Cornell in New York where he used concepts of biophysics to achieve clinical significance in understanding the mechanism of a disease process such as cystic fibrosis.

The second project was a review paper that Subhi published in the Qatar Medical Journal in November 2006 about digitalis toxicity and fab fragment.

The third was a public health project on the prevalence of diabetes around the world, while the fourth was a case report on a patient with idiopathic cystic artery aneurysm, a rare unreported cause of acute pancreatitis. Both projects are nearing completion.

The Tamayoz Awards, organized by Harvard
Medical School Dubai Center, recognize
excellence in medical research and outstanding
accomplishments in clinical care.

Dr. Maya Hammoud, Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, commented that Subhi had a great career in medicine and research ahead of him, "I cannot think of a more deserving student. He is very committed and has shown great interest in research."

The HMSDC award recognised Subhi's fast-developing research skills and his enthusiasm and determination to succeed in his chosen profession.

"I'm so interested in research. It's a challenging field that requires one to use his/her innovative and creative skills," Subhi said. "I want my career to focus on both the clinical and research aspects of medicine."

"The observership will be an opportunity not only for training but also for me to explore and get to know people at another university."

Laura Tyson, Freelance Writer