New interns are the scientists of the future

March, 2013

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar has welcomed five new Qatari interns to Biomedical Research Training Program for Nationals.

The six-month research training program is a unique opportunity for Qatari college graduates with an interest in biomedical research to gain hands on experience in world-class research laboratories at WCMC-Q. The aim is to help build the sustainable scientific human capital in the country in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Dr. Khaled Machaca, associate dean for research at WCMC-Q, said the program demonstrates the commitment that the college has to developing human capacity and research opportunities in Qatar.

Dr. Machaca said: “The Biomedical Research Training Program for Nationals is now in its third year and we have seen some exceptional young Qatari graduates come through our doors, some of whom are still working with us in the Research Division.

“Part of the mission of Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar is to conduct research at the cutting edge of knowledge and to train the next generation of Qatari researchers.”

One of those graduates is Dr. Najla Al-Haj, who majored in psychiatry and is now working with WCMC-Q’s Dr. Hassen Al-Amin, associate professor of psychiatry and a consultant at Hamad Medical Corporation.
Another of the new interns is Amna Al-Thani, who graduated in biomedical science from Qatar University. She is now working in the laboratory of Dr. Moncef Ladjimi, professor of biochemistry at WCMC-Q, and is studying proteins associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Amna said: “I saw the advert for the Biomedical Research Training Program and I was interested in joining WCMC-Q as it’s a leader in the science field and it would mean that I would gain more laboratory experience.”

Another intern, Fatima Fakhroo, graduated from Qatar University with a degree in statistics. She said the chance to work at WCMC-Q was something “she could not miss”.

“It’s an opportunity for me to start work and it’s an opportunity for me to combine what I’ve learned in my degree with what I’m interested in, which is biomedical science,” Fatima added.

She is now working with Dr. Karsten Suhre and his team on the best statistical methods to apply to metabolomics data.

The research training program is a unique opportunity for Qatari college graduates with an interest in biomedical research to gain hands on experience in world-class research laboratories at WCMC-Q.

Although the program is aimed at recent graduates who are interested in pursuing a career as a bench scientist, clinician or biomedical researcher, graduates are also accepted who have non-science degrees that can be used in the field of research administration.

Placements for next year’s program will be posted at the end of the year.