Grants to Advance WCMC-Q Biomedical Research Program

“Our researchers have one goal in mind: to improve
the lives of the people of Qatar and the world ...”
Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q.

Investigators at WCMC-Q have received grants through Qatar National Research Fund’s (QNRF) National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) to conduct research and advance knowledge in the fields of diabetes, stem cells, cancer, viruses, desertification and more. The grants encompass significant international collaborations and will greatly further the medical college's goal of building biomedical research capacity in Doha.

Two WCMC-Q studies that received funding focus on type 2 diabetes, which affects an exorbitant percentage of the local population. Additionally, several stem cell projects will move forward, including creation of a core laboratory to produce disease specific human induced pluripotent stem cells of Qatari origin. Another grant will support research on the effects of shisha smoking in Qatar.

Other funded research will focus on vaccines, cancer and human papillomavirus at the molecular level.

“Our researchers have one goal in mind: to improve the lives of the people of Qatar and the world through the providence of new knowledge and cutting-edge approaches to health care across all sectors,” said Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q. “With support from QNRF, we are able to put plans into motion, work toward the goal and increasingly draw top-tier researchers to this worthy mission in Qatar.”

WCMC-Q researchers received a total of $15.2 million in this latest, third, cycle of NPRP funding. As was the case last year, biomedical research ranked second only to funds allocated toward engineering research, a clear indication of the country’s dedication to advances along these lines.

NPRP grants are awarded based on the research design as well as the subject and its ability to address national needs.

A full list of grant-winning projects is available here.

By Emily Alp