WCM-Q TO SUPPORT WHO IN FIGHTING SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
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WCM-Q TO SUPPORT
WINTER 2020
WHO IN FIGHTING
SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS
DISEASES
The magazine of Weill Published by the Office
Cornell Medicine-Qatar of Communications
DEAN
Javaid Sheikh, MD
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Nesreen M. Al-Rifai
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR,
MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS
Hanan Lakkis
EDITOR
Richard Harris
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
John Hayward
PHOTOGRAPHER
John Samples
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01
04 The heritage of the Arabian horse
08 A new cohort of future doctors
10 Students research breast reconstructions
12 Bacteria reprogrammed to deliver drugs
14 Youngsters help to teach medicine
Online COVID lectures attract thousands of
16 healthcare practitioners
20 lack of exercise causing premature death
22 Research mentors go virtual
24 WISH and WISE
26 Students join the fight against COVID-19
28 WCM-Q to support WHO
30 The end of hepatitis C?
34 COVID-19: The global public health reality
36 Qatar’s green-fingered youngsters
38 Research links proteins to diabetes
40 COVID-19 and pregnancy
42 Students’ research published in BMJ
The need for better data on perinatal
46 mental illness
48 WCM-Q spearheading lifestyle medicine
50 Virtual Summer Program reaches out globally
52 Why do some cancers resist chemotherapy?
TABLE OF
54 Lessons for humanity
56 The fight against breast cancer
58 Lifelong learning goes on despite pandemic
60 The implications of consanguineous marriage
62
CONTENTS
Grand Rounds thrives online
64 Healing Hands winners announced
66 Plaudits for research group
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68 Students investigate COVID-19
70 The dangers of COVID to the elderly
72 Simulation learning and COVID-19
CLICK ON THE PAGE TO BE DIRECTED 74 Twelve faculty win promotion
03
The heritage of
the Arabian horse
Research helps shed light on the genetic origin of a horse that Researchers at WCM-Q have helped probe the Dr. Brooks said: “The Arabian horse has a special
genetic diversity and origins of the Arabian horse, mystique due to the long-recorded history of
is prized the world over. prized all over the world for its beauty, grace and the breed. Arabian horse breeders, in particular,
athletic endurance. know their horse’s bloodlines many generations
back. What we found was that in the area where
Renowned for its ability to thrive in extremely this breed originates –likely the near East region,
hot, arid environments, the Arabian is the oldest but we don’t know exactly – there’s a healthy
recorded breed of horse, with credible level of diversity. This is particularly evident
documentation stretching back more than 2,000 in populations from Bahrain and Syria, which
years placing its development in the Middle East. suggests these are some pretty old populations.”
Working in collaboration with an international The horse is prized for characteristics like heat
team of fellow researchers, scientists at WCM-Q tolerance and endurance, as well as its unique
helped conduct a comprehensive global sampling appearance, with a dish-shaped facial profile,
and analysis of the genomes of 378 individual wide-set eyes, an arched neck and a high tail
Arabian horses in Qatar, Iran, UAE, Poland, USA, carriage. It has been exported from its ancestral
Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, homeland for centuries, with some modern
Australia, Denmark and Canada. Blood and hair lineages drawn strictly from these smaller
samples were painstakingly collected from the genetic pools, giving the breed a reputation for
horses over an eight-year period. inbred disorders.
The international team of scientists was led by While this was true for some groups they tested,
the University of Florida’s Samantha Brooks, Brooks noted, they also found remarkable
a UF/IFAS assistant professor of animal sciences diversity when considering the breed as a whole.
formerly based at Cornell University in Ithaca, Brooks contrasted the discovery of more diverse
New York; Doug Antczak, the Dorothy Havemeyer populations with the samples they received from
McConville professor of equine medicine at racing Arabians. Another longstanding myth says
the Baker Institute for Animal Health of Cornell that the Arabian contributed genetically to the
University; and Andy Clark, the Jacob Gould modern thoroughbred, but the racing Arabians’
Schurman professor in Cornell’s department DNA told a different story .
of molecular biology and genetics.
“What we found in these samples was not
Researchers at WCM-Q, led by Dr. Joel Malek, that much Arabian ancestry was part of the
associate professor of genetic medicine, used thoroughbred line, but the opposite: that
the college’s state-of-the-art equipment and thoroughbred DNA exists in most of the modern
expertise to assist with the sequencing of the racing Arabian lines, indicating a more recent
horse DNA. The study was made possible by interbreeding within this group, ”Brooks said.“
National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) grant
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I can’t speculate on the how or why, but this is
6-1303-4-023 from the Qatar National Research clearly the story the DNA is telling us.”
Fund, a member of Qatar Foundation. The paper,
entitled ‘Genome Diversity and the Origin of Another implication of this study, Brooks said, is
the Arabian Horse’ has now been published in the potential to identify the genetic regions that
Scientific Reports, a journal of the Nature series determine some of the Arabian’s unique traits,
of publications. like their facial profile.
04 05
“We are also very grateful for
the support this project received
from Qatar Foundation through
Qatar National Research
Fund, which made the research
possible.”
This could be expanded to Iran; the University of Kentucky; The study also had
identify the marker for other the University of Agriculture contributors from the
horse breeds’ head shapes, in Kraków, Poland; the Hong University of Tehran, Iran;
for example.“ Kong Jockey Club; the Equine the University of Kentucky;
Veterinary Medical Center at the University of Agriculture
Dr. Joel Malek of WCM-Q said: Al Shaqab (a Qatar Foundation in Kraków, Poland; the Hong
“It was extremely gratifying member) in Doha, Qatar; and Kong Jockey Club; the Equine
to be part of this fascinating the University of Veterinary Veterinary Medical Center
and interesting research Medicine Vienna, Austria. (a Qatar Foundation member)
about the iconic Arabian Elissa Cosgrove from the Clark in Doha, Qatar; and the
horse, which is so important lab and Raheleh Sadeghi, a University of Veterinary
to this region. We are very visiting scientist from Iran in Medicine Vienna, Austria. The
proud to have been able to the Antczak lab, shared first study can be read in full at:
work with so many talented co-authorship of the study. https://www.nature.com/articles/
and dedicated researchers all s41598-020-66232-1
over the world on this project, Dr. Khaled Machaca, professor
which underlines WCM-Q's of physiology and biophysics
commitment to pursuing and senior associate dean
projects at the cutting edge of for research, innovations,
science that have great local and commercialization at
significance, in line with the WCM-Q said: “It is extremely
goals set out in Qatar National pleasing that the advanced
Vision 2020. capabilities in genomic analysis
that we have developed in
“We are also very grateful the Biomedical Research
for the support this project Program at WCM-Q allow us to
received from Qatar contribute to ground-breaking
Foundation through Qatar international projects such as
National Research Fund, which this one. The Arabian horse
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made the research possible.” is truly a majestic creature
and it is wonderful to be able
The study has a long list of to shed light on its genetic
co-authors, with contributors heritage in this way.” The Arabian horse is renowned for its ability
from the University of Tehran, to thrive in hot, arid climates.
06 07
A new cohort of
future doctors
WCM-Q’s orientation program goes virtual to welcome the
Class of 2026.
With highly qualified doctors 19 different countries: Qatar, the curricula. Other sessions
needed now more than ever, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, included information about
WCM-Q welcomed its new Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, academic integrity, student
cohort of incoming students Korea, Kuwait, Pakistan, Russia, health and wellness services,
with a comprehensive three- Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, legal issues in the practice
day orientation program Tunisia, the UK and the USA. of medicine, study skills and
–delivered fully online this technology tools.
This year’s intake brings 22
year for the first time in the
new students to the college’s Dr. Rachid Bendriss, assistant
institution’s history.
foundation program, all of dean for student recruitment,
With measures to control the whom are Qatari nationals. outreach and foundation
spread of the coronavirus There are 51 new pre-medical programs, said: “Orientation
still in place, new students students, 23 of whom have is always a great experience
logged in remotely to meet one been promoted from last as it marks the beginning
another, interact with faculty year’s foundation program, of our academic year, with
having previously completed Division of Student Affairs, and positivity. I am certain they
and staff, and learn study and while 28 are new arrivals. Of all of the energy, hope and
both the foundation program are carefully designed to will thrive here at WCM-Q.”
ITS skills designed to help them the 48 new medical students, excitement that brings. I thank
and the two-year pre-medical familiarize students with
excel academically and thrive 47 were promoted after all of our new students and Dr. Ravinder Mamtani, vice
curriculum at WCM-Q. the people, curriculum and
in their new environment. completing the two-year my colleagues at WCM-Q for dean for student affairs-
procedures at the college so
pre-medical curriculum at working hard to make this She said: “Despite viewing the admissions, population health,
Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean they can quickly feel at home
WCM-Q, with one new arrival. year’s orientation not only a world through a screen, the and lifestyle medicine, said:
of WCM-Q, said: “We are and succeed in their studies.
Combined, the two-year great event, but also one that excitement that we felt about “Orientation this year was a
absolutely delighted to premedical curriculum and protected the health, safety the upcoming year was still Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, senior fantastic success, thanks to
welcome our new cohort of four-year medical curriculum and wellness of everyone who there. Meeting new professors, associate dean for medical the excellent can-do spirit of
students to WCM-Q to begin form the WCM-Q integrated participated.” learning more about the education and continuing the participating students and
learning the art and science of six-year medical program. profession and seeing our professional development, the professionalism of our staff
medicine at a time when such To help the new arrivals get to
classmates after so long said: “Helping students orient and faculty. I am most grateful
skills are needed more than The foundation program know one another there were
made the event so enjoyable. themselves to their new lives to all involved for their hard
ever. These talented young provides intensive instruction also peer discussion sessions
This year's orientation was at college has never been so work and dedication.”
women and men are excited in the basic sciences, English and a chance to interact
definitely something that I will important. I am very pleased
with existing students to ask
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to learn and to make strong and mathematics to prepare
remember as it heavily reflects that our first ever fully online
contributions to the health of students for the rigors of the about their experiences at
every aspect of my future orientation program proved to
people in Qatar and beyond.” six-year medical program. The the college. Student Maryam
career as a doctor.” be extremely effective, allowing
orientation programs began Al-Quradaghi is beginning
The incoming cohort is truly our students to begin their new
with welcome addresses, the four-year medical The orientation programs,
global, comprising citizens of lives at college with confidence
followed by introductions to curriculum this semester, coordinated by WCM-Q’s
08 09
Students research breast
recovery process for many fat that was transferred from far less invasive and carrying
women who have had breast the hips to the breast in each less risk of complications.
cancer, helping to provide procedure and compared This small innovation in the
reconstructions psychological ‘closure’ on a
distressing experience. The
new approach is far less
this with the outcomes of the
procedure, based on factors
such as patient satisfaction,
communications strategy
significantly improved levels of
patient satisfaction.
invasive than the two most cosmetic appearance and
Study looked at a minimally invasive surgical technique that common surgical breast incidence of complications Dr. Tabrizi and Dr. Razzouk
have now performed the new
can be conducted on out-patients. reconstruction procedures,
in which a flap of tissue and
such as bleeding or infection.
This analysis allowed the procedure approximately 300
muscle is taken from either surgeons to fine-tune the times between them at two
the back or the abdomen and volume of fat they transferred facilities in France, one in Nice
grafted into the breast. These to achieve the best overall and one in Paris.
operations can take up to five results. Student Gabriala said: “It was
Student researchers at Gabriala Andrews and Danyal
hours or more, inflict significant extremely rewarding to be
WCM-Q have contributed Ahsan analyzed thousands Another key finding of the
scarring, have a long recovery able to contribute to such
to better understanding of of data points to provide students’ research related
time, and usually require a stay an exciting and worthwhile
a minimally invasive breast valuable information to to the communication with
of several nights in hospital. innovation in reconstructive
reconstruction surgery for Drs. Tabrizi and Razzouk, the patient. Because the
recovering breast cancer allowing them to adjust the In contrast, the new approach process is based on a gradual surgery for recovering breast
patients. procedure to maximize its causes minimal scarring reconstruction, patients cancer patients.”
effectiveness, minimize the risk and can be performed on sometimes felt disappointed or
The highly innovative new of complications and safeguard an outpatient basis, allowing underwhelmed by the results
surgical technique involves the mental health of patients. patients to have the surgery of the first procedure, the
taking fat tissue from the
and go home the same day. students found.
Gabriala Andrews hip or abdominal area and Dr. Tabrizi said: “The students
The process also helps repair
injecting it into the breast did fantastic work in analyzing To counter this, Dr. Tabrizi and
tissue damaged by radiation
over the course of a series of a very large amount of data Dr. Razzouk developed a new
treatment, making insertion
short operations, each lasting to give Dr. Razzouk and communications protocol to
of a prosthesis more likely to
less than one hour. While it myself extremely valuable help patients understand that
succeed, should the patient
has been used now for several guidance. Their input has been the process takes a little longer
wish to pursue that option.
years for many patients, it remarkably useful to our work than the conventional surgery
is not yet considered a gold to refine and optimize this new Dr. Tabrizi said that the students but that in the fullness of time
standard protocol. procedure.” analyzed a variety of data it achieves equal or better
points, such as the volume of cosmetic results while being
Dr. Jeremie Arash Tabrizi, Reconstruction of the breast
WCM-Q’s professor of or breasts after a mastectomy
Dr. Jeremie Arash Tabrizi genetic medicine, obstetrics and radiotherapy treatment
and gynecology, and Dr. is an important part of the
Kaïs Razzouk, gynecologist/
oncological surgeon at
the Santa Maria Breast
Institute in Nice, France,
have set-up a specific
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research program with the
goal of demonstrating the
efficiency of the technique,
called autologous fat graft.
Fourth-year medical students
Danyal Ahsan
10 11
Bacteria reprogrammed to
Researchers at Weill Cornell platforms for synthetic biology’, “It is wonderful for us at WCM-Q
Medicine-Qatar have taken the research team used to be able to take part in
part in a landmark international reprogrammed SimCells to cutting-edge research projects
deliver drugs study in which bacteria cells
were reprogrammed to
synthesize and deliver a potent
synthesize catechol (a potent
anticancer drug) from salicylic
acid to inhibit lung, brain, and
like this with elite institutions like
Oxford, Sheffield and Greifswald
and it shows the level of
anti-cancer drug. soft-tissue cancer cells in the ambition and capability we have
Collaboration between WCM-Q and international universities lab. They also demonstrated here, both at the college and in
The WCM-Q researchers
could lead to new therapies for a wide range of diseases. worked with scientists at the
that SimCells can be used as
a ‘safe agent’ to manufacture
Qatar in general.”
University of Oxford and the and deliver therapeutic drugs The paper states that it is
University of Sheffield in the UK because they cannot replicate known that several species
and the University of Greifswald and do not interfere with the of bacteria preferentially
in Germany to help construct host genome as they do not associate with cancer tumors,
reprogrammable cells from have chromosomal DNA. meaning there is great
three species of bacteria, potential to engineer bacteria
Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas Dr. Frank Schmidt, director of the to sense, target and deliver
putida, and Ralstonia eutropha. Proteomics Core at WCM-Q, is anticancer compounds directly
one of the authors of the paper, to tumors within a patient’s
The researchers achieved this which has been published in body. Additionally, the paper
by destroying and removing the Proceedings of the National asserts that ‘genetic circuits’
the genetic material from the Academy of Sciences of the (artificial assemblies of genes
bacteria cells using a special United States of America (PNAS), created in the lab) had been
type of enzyme which causes a high-profile journal. inserted into the SimCells
breaks in both strands of and were found to be able to
the DNA double helix carried Dr. Schmidt said that the project utilize the cellular machinery
within the chromosomes, had been led by researchers at therein to synthesize proteins
but leaves the other cellular the Department of Engineering and carry out important
structures intact and able Science at the University of metabolic functions such as
to function. The resultant Oxford, particularly Professor the glycolysis pathway, which is
‘SimCells’ (short for simple Wei E. Huang, associate essential for cell survival. Some
cells) can be reprogrammed by professor of synthetic biology, of the SimCells generated by
inserting other genetic material, and Catherine Fan, graduate the researchers were able to
allowing them to be used for a researcher, while WCM-Q survive for as long as 10 days.
variety of functions, including contributed its advanced
the synthesis and delivery of capabilities in protein analysis. WCM-Q’s contribution to the
therapeutic drugs. Engineering study was supported by the
existing organisms to perform Dr. Schmidt said: “This is a really Biomedical Research Program
researcher-designed functions exciting study because it not at WCM-Q, a program funded
in this way is known as synthetic only demonstrated that bacteria by Qatar Foundation.
biology and is an extremely cells can be manipulated to
promising area of research serve as platforms for delivering
for the development of new drugs that are potentially
life-saving, but also that they
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treatments for a wide variety of
different diseases. cannot reproduce themselves
and cause dangerous infections
In the study, titled or interfere with the DNA of
‘Chromosome-free bacterial the patient.
cells are safe and programmable
12 13
Youngsters help to teach
Examining and diagnosing children is not always Medical Corporation, Sidra Medicine and WCM-Q
easy but trainee doctors from WCM-Q had it who gave their time and experience to the
harder than usual – they had to do it online. students; Drs. Madeeha Kamal, Magda Wagdy
medicine The Cornell Stars program is one of the highlights
of the academic year for students in the third
year of the medical program; faculty and staff at
Yousef, Sohair Elsiddig, Manasik Hassan, Shabina
Khan, Samar Magboul, Suzan Gameel, Stella
Major and Mohamud Verjee.
WCM-Q’s Cornell Stars event goes online as trainee doctors the college usually bring their young children into She added: “We are also very grateful to the
the college and the students are able to practice 16 families who volunteered their time over the
learn how to examine children. dealing with small children under the supervision weekend and particularly the 21 children who
of an experienced and qualified doctor. were our Cornell Stars.”
But this year the COVID-19 pandemic meant Nour Al Masri was one of the WCM-Q staff
that social distancing rules made this members to volunteer for Cornell Stars and said
impossible, so the decision was made to take it had all gone very smoothly, possibly because
Cornell Stars online via video conferencing apps. both students and children had become very
used to communicating via apps since the
Dr. Amal Khidir, associate professor of pediatrics coronavirus struck.
at WCM-Q, said the Cornell Stars event is a
valuable learning activity that allows students Class of 2022 student Jamal Al Ani, one of
to become familiar, and hopefully comfortable, the 51 students who participated in this event,
interacting with children and their families. said it was a really useful learning experience.
Another goal is to highlight to the students that
the field of pediatrics is not always disease- He said: “In the midst of everything taking place
based and healthy children are the majority of across the world right now, the children’s strength
patients cared for by pediatricians. and smiles were really refreshing and exciting to
be a part of. Seeing them go from shy and timid
Dr. Khidir said: “Cancelling Cornell Stars because to confident and interactive was extremely eye
of COVID was never really an option as the event opening. It was a really fun and engaging way to
is so useful for students heading into the full practice some of our interviewing skills, whilst
clinical experience in their third year of the medical also having fun with the kids.
program. Instead, we adapted it using online
conferencing apps. Students were able to talk to “I’ve always wanted to work with kids and
the children and their parents to gather histories advocate for them, and this event really
and interact with the young ‘patients’ by asking reaffirmed that belief. One of the patients even
them to perform various tasks. Although they decided to draw me when we asked him to
were not able to listen to their hearts or touch draw one of us, so how could I say no after that.
them, they were able to practice and refine their Children are delicate and the conditions and
observation skills which are important when they environment in which they grow up ultimately
take care of children during their clinical rotations. shape the people they become, and it would be
an honor to help ensure they become the best
“They learn how to approach and engage versions of themselves.”
children supported by our experienced doctors,
who can pass on hints and tips in the context of
virtual sessions.”
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Working online, the students were able to interact with the children and take medical histories.
Dr. Khidir added that the event would not have
been possible without the support of WCM-Q's
ITS department and Office of Curriculum Support,
and particularly the doctors from Hamad
14 15
Online Covid lectures
attract thousands of
healthcare practitioners
Healthcare practitioners across the country log on to WCM-Q’s
lecture series detailing the latest information about the pandemic.
Thousands of healthcare professionals across
Qatar have taken advantage of Weill Cornell
Medicine – Qatar’s COVID-19 Live Webinar Series
to learn of the latest advancements in Covid
therapies, helping them to treat patients and
save lives.
The hugely beneficial webinars were developed at
the beginning of the March lockdown to meet the
clinical needs of the local healthcare community,
who were battling to treat patients afflicted by the There have so far been a total of 36 speakers at the series.
virus. WCM-Q’s Division of Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) realised that to aid recovery, co-directors, said: “As countries across the world the lectures began, 22,000 healthcare
Qatar’s physicians and healthcare workers needed entered lockdown in March, doctors fought to professionals have participated, the majority from
a trusted online source for the latest news about keep patients alive, researchers studied the novel Qatar but some from across the world.
treatments and therapies. coronavirus in laboratories, and new information
was discovered on an almost daily basis. The series has been tailored to information that
With new facts, theories and discoveries about has been specifically needed during the pandemic.
In some instances, this information was vital for
the virus being made daily across the world, it Whether it related to pulmonary care or pediatrics,
improved patient outcomes but because it was
was vital for the health of patients in Qatar that different aspects of the crisis have been covered
coming from discrete sources, it was a challenge
doctors had the latest information. With this as to support the entire healthcare community.
for the medical community to avail itself of all
their mission, the CPD team urgently assembled
the updates. So, the COVID-19 Live Webinar Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q, delivered
a huge variety of leading clinical experts and
Series was conceived out of an idea to help keep a valuable lecture on the vital importance of
topics to keep the medical profession abreast of
Qatar’s medical community abreast of the rapidly maintaining close social relationships while keeping
the latest, cutting-edge updates.
changing clinical situation.” to physical distancing guidelines, and Dr. Abdullatif
When launched, healthcare workers across Qatar Al-Khal, deputy chief medical officer, director of
So far there have been 33 presentations and a total
rushed to register for the accredited webinar the Department of Medical Education and senior
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of 36 speakers, including presentations by WCM-Q
series and thousands have since attended the consultant in infectious diseases at Hamad Medical
faculty, WCM-Q alumni, physicians from Sidra and
online lectures. Corporation, discussed the national response the
Hamad Medical Corporation, and experts from
foreign institutions. Each online lecture attracts COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Salman Al Jerdi, assistant professor of
neurology at WCM-Q and one of the series’ more than a thousand virtual attendees and since
16 17“The COVID-19 pandemic has
The WCM-Q alumni who were A particularly high-profile She said: "The COVID-19
invited to deliver a lecture were recent lecturer was Dr. Howard pandemic has been an incredibly
Drs. Mahrukh Rizvi, Karima Markel, the George E. Wantz fluid and fast-moving crisis,
been an incredibly fluid and Becetti, Ghaith Abu-Zeinah,
Mohamed Elshazly and Salman
distinguished professor of the
history of medicine, director
both literally and in terms of our
clinical knowledge, and the CPD
fast-moving crisis, both literally
Al-Jerdi. They discussed of the Center for the History team had to work incredibly
subjects including therapeutics of Medicine at the University fast to develop and deliver this
for COVID-19 pneumonia and of Michigan and member webinar series. Our aim has
and in terms of our clinical
the pandemic’s impact on of the National Academy of always been to provide high-
cardiovascular diseases, to Medicine. Dr. Markel’s webinar quality presentations from highly
how COVID-19 affects the brain. looked at previous pandemics credible experts discussing
knowledge, and the CPD team Other speakers and topics
include Dr. Randi R. Diamond,
to affect the world in a lecture
entitled ‘When Germs Travel:
relevant and timely topics. Given
the popularity of the series
had to work incredibly fast
assistant professor of clinical Coronavirus, and the Long among healthcare professionals,
medicine at Weill Cornell History of Contagious Crises.’ I hope we have done that and
Medicine in New York, who played a small part in improving
to develop and deliver this
discussed ‘Palliative Care and Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, professor healthcare and clinical outcomes
COVID-19, The Weill Cornell of clinical medicine and senior for COVID-19 patients in Qatar
Medicine Experience’, and Dr associate dean for medical and the wider region.”
webinar series.” Evelyn C. Granieri, professor education and continuing
professional development at The COVID-19 Live Webinar
Dr. Thurayya Arayssi of medicine at Columbia
WCM-Q, was the second
University’s Vagelos College Series continues until the spring
of Physicians and Surgeons co-director of the webinar series. of 2021 and past presentations
in the US, who spoke about can be viewed online at CPD’s
Dr. Arayssi said the series’ mission online archive.
the effects of COVID-19 on was to inform and empower the
older patients. healthcare community.
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Dr. Sallie Permar spoke about COVID-19 and children and was recently appointed chair of the Department of
Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine and pediatrician-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
and NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital.
18 19Lack of exercise causing
premature death
Research highlights physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles
in MENA region.
Researchers at WCM-Q have health, and lifestyle medicine, primary studies on physical
published a comprehensive is one of the authors of activity and sedentary
study on the status of the study. He said: “Non- behaviour in the MENA region
sedentary behaviour and communicable diseases now published since the year
physical activity in the Middle account for around 41 million 2000. The 20 MENA countries
East and North Africa. deaths worldwide each year, included in the study are
which works out at 71 percent Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti,
The research discovered that
of all deaths. Lack of physical Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait,
almost 50 percent of adults and
activity, particularly among Lebanon, Libya, Morocco,
75 percent of young people in
young people, should therefore Oman, Pakistan, Palestine,
MENA countries did not meet
be viewed as nothing less Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan,
the World Health Organization’s Dr. Ravinder Mamtani, Dr. Sohaila Cheema, Dr. Karima Chaabna, Dr. Sonia Chaabane and Dr. Amit Abraham.
than a global public health Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab
(WHO) recommended levels
emergency, as this research Emirates, and Yemen. The
of physical activity. WHO professor of healthcare policy regarding levels of physical
makes very clear.” research team then used
recommends 150 minutes of and research; Dr. Karima activity and sedentary
moderate physical activity or sophisticated statistical Chaabna, population health behaviour, as well as rates of
The MENA region has some
75 minutes of vigorous physical meta-analysis techniques to and communication specialist associated non-communicable
of the highest rates of
activity per week for adults NCDs in the world, and the interpret the data collected and instructor in healthcare diseases, so that we can better
and 60 minutes of moderate second-highest prevalence from the published reviews. policy and research; and Dr. understand the situation and
to vigorous-intensity physical of diabetes (10.8 percent) of The first author of the study, Amit Abraham, instructor in determine which interventions
activity daily for children and any world region. The study, Dr. Sonia Chaabane, projects healthcare policy and research are most effective, specific to
youth. Lack of physical activity entitled, ‘Physical activity and specialist in WCM-Q’s Institute and projects specialist. our context.”
is a key risk factor for obesity sedentary behaviour in the for Population Health (IPH),
and other non-communicable Dr. Cheema, said: “The study WCM-Q’s IPH has been at the
Middle East and North Africa: said: “It is important to further
diseases (NCDs), such as type demonstrates a critical need forefront of lending full support to
An overview of systematic understand the personal, social
2 diabetes and cardiovascular for urgent public health the State of Qatar’s overall goal
reviews and meta-analysis’, and environmental barriers to
disease, which frequently lead to interventions across the of promoting healthy lifestyles.
has been published in physical activity, which will aid
severe life-limiting complications entire MENA region, especially
Scientific Reports, an open and facilitate effective, locally
and premature death. among young people, to allow
access journal belonging to informed interventions.” for higher levels of physical
the prestigious Nature group
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Dr. Ravinder Mamtani, WCM-Q’s WCM-Q researchers who activity and to discourage
of publications.
professor of healthcare policy worked on the study with Dr. sedentary lifestyles. The
and research, professor of The paper is based on detailed Mamtani and Dr. Chaabane are study also highlights a need
medicine and vice dean for analysis of seven scientific Dr. Sohaila Cheema, assistant for systematic data collection
student affairs, population systematic reviews and 229 dean of IPH and assistant across the MENA region
20 21Research mentors
the information was up to date. The second papers and by providing guidance and feedback.
part was how to write the review itself, both But the acceptance of the publication - my
from a general perspective and the specific first - would not have been possible without the
go virtual requirements that individual journals demand.”
He added: “Her interest in the topic made it
easy to discuss the paper and she was easy to
support of Dr. Triggle, Dr. Sultan and Dr. Ding as
they really helped guide me in multiple ways.”
For Rozaleen, too, who is a member of the
Mentorship goes online as college works to mentor. It was very rewarding as she has used Class of 2021, the mentorship was a rewarding
this to start another research project.” experience, allowing her to be actively
preserve the experience for students. involved in the literature review, investigating
The mentorships have proved to be particularly pharmacological and non-pharmacological
successful academically as well. treatments for cognitive impairment, writing the
Both Omna Sharma, who was mentored by introduction to the paper and also preparing
Dr. Triggle, and Rozaleen had their papers figures and data – much of it online.
Biomedical research experience is fundamental
accepted in peer-reviewed medical journals. For “She said: “We regularly exchanged emails and
to the curriculum at WCM-Q and even during
Omna, her manuscript ‘A Review of the Progress we used an online bibliography and library, so
lockdown, students have continued this work and
and Challenges of Developing a Vaccine for we were able to follow the thought processes of
continued to publish high-quality research data.
COVID-19’ was published in the journal Frontiers each other. It felt great to be published and I was
During a typical year, trainee doctors at WCM-Q one in Korea and three in Qatar. So, we had Zoom in Immunology, while Rozaleen’s can be found in really thankful to Dr. Al-Jerdi and Dr. Imam.”
would often be flying to Weill Cornell Medicine meetings once a day, spending about an hour with Current Treatment Options in Neurology.
in New York for the summer to pursue their each student and it probably worked out as well as Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, senior associate dean for
if we were all sitting in the same room. Omna said it had been a very positive experience. medical education and continuing professional
study interests there. But with borders closed,
laboratories shut and many students returning She said: “Dr. Triggle was very organised and development at WCM-Q, thanked all the faculty
“Prior organisation was key to ensuring each
to their home countries, the leadership at very clear with what I had to do and how I should who had made such a valuable contribution to
meeting was productive but because we have
WCM-Q had to act swiftly to ensure that approach the task. the research mentorship program.
been using this online conferencing technology
research opportunities were still available. So,
for several months, it all went extremely smoothly “Because the student is supposed to be at the Dr. Arayssi said: “Biomedical research is vital to
faculty based at the college were invited to
and actually allowed for greater flexibility.” centre of the project, I did the bulk of the writing the advancement of medicine and healthcare
propose research projects and mentor students
and the figures and data and my mentors helped and at WCM-Q we strongly encourage students
remotely, allowing them to gain the necessary Dr. Salman Al-Jerdi, assistant professor of
me by finding some of the articles and research to take an active participation in research so
research experience but also make valuable neurology at WCM-Q, also acted as a mentor, that they become the physician-scientists of the
contributions to scientific knowledge. guiding Rozaleen Aleyadeh through the research future. Doctors should always be intellectually
project ‘Management of Cognitive Impairment curious, and by providing them with the tools
For the faculty members this was a step into the
after Stroke’, which was also written with Dr. to conduct their own research, we can help
unknown; mentoring would normally be done
Yahia Imam, assistant professor of clinical contribute to the discovery of new medical
face-to-face where reports and studies could be
neurology at Hamad Medical Corporation. therapies and innovations.
examined as a group, allowing several different
ideas to be shared at the same time. Online Dr. Al-Jerdi’s research and mentorship began “Obviously research mentorships like these
mentoring meant this would have to change to before the COVID-19 pandemic but file-sharing would usually be conducted face-to-face but
one-on-one interviews using video-conferencing software and conferencing apps that have faculty at WCM-Q have always utilized the latest
technology, making the sharing of written reports become familiar to WCM-Q faculty allowed it to technology and over the last few months they
and diagrams more difficult. In addition, students continue through lockdown, providing him and have become particularly proficient in using new
were often spread across different time zones. Dr. Imam with the tools to guide Rozaleen and innovative virtual tools to get the job done.
through the literature review.
Dr. Chris Triggle, professor of pharmacology at
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“I would like to once again thank all of our
WCM-Q, said: “Meetings between ourselves and He said: “We talked about the content of the faculty, and those from affiliated institutions,
the students would normally be done in-house and topic, we talked about cognitive impairment, who shared their own knowledge and time so
often all at the same time so that ideas, criticisms how it happens and what we can do about it. generously with WCM-Q students, and who
and ways forward could be discussed among Much of it involved Rozaleen looking things up, Dr. Chris Triggle provided mentorship and guidance throughout
everyone, but we had one student in Australia, discussing the findings with me and checking this particularly difficult year.”
22 23WISH and WISE
WCM-Q's achievements in education, research and community
development are showcased at two of the country's most
prestigious and high-profile events.
The World Innovation Summit for Health began Mrs Al-Rifai said: “In a short space of time, the
with Doha Healthcare Week and Sahtak Awalan WISH and WISE conferences have become two
once again balanced the need for education of the most prestigious and influential events in
with fun by launching its healthy lunchbox their respective fields. It is a source of great pride
competition. Families were encouraged to use to WCM-Q that we are able to participate in both
fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurts and wholegrains and bring our expertise to the discussions.
to create the most colorful, tastiest and
healthiest lunch in Qatar. Photographs were then “This year’s events were, of course, particularly
posted on social media. Hundreds of entries challenging due to the coronavirus pandemic, but
were received from families across Qatar with with the latest technology we were still able to
the best winning prizes. deliver our message about healthy lifestyles while
at the same time showcasing the remarkable
During the week, WCM-Q’s Dr. Ravinder Mamtani, research conducted in the WCM-Q labs, and the
vice dean for student affairs-admissions, achievements of our students and alumni.”
population health and lifestyle medicine, also
led an online session discussing nutrition and
lifestyle. With lifestyle-related diseases like
diabetes and heart disease among the biggest
causes of premature death in the world, Dr.
Mamtani discussed strategies to improve the
community’s health.
For the WISH summit itself, which took place
online from 15-19 November, WCM-Q hosted a
Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar took a prominent learned about the environment, Sahtak Awalan’s virtual booth showcasing the college’s research
role in both WISE and WISH, showcasing the Khayr Qatarna greenhouses and how they are successes, its faculty, students and its alumni.
success of the college and encouraging the contributing to Qatar’s self-sufficiency and Office of Communications also demonstrated
community to lead healthier lifestyles. sustainability, and the agricultural cycle. the college’s commitment to community health
with the Your Health First campaign and the
The WISE (The World Innovation Summit for The event also supported the municipality of Khayr Qatarna program.
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Education) events came first and saw WCM-Q’s Al Wakra in their efforts to achieve sustainable
Office of Communications take its award-winning development goals as set out by the UNESCO Nesreen Al-Rifai, chief communications officer
Sahtak Awalan campaign to Qatar Academy Al Learning Cities’ Network. at WCM-Q, said it had once again been an
Wakra. During online sessions, third year students honour to participate in both the WISH and
WISE conferences.
24 25Students join the fight
In the guidelines and SOP
section, volunteers helped
develop national guidelines and
against COVID-19 healthcare policy documents,
while those in the investigation
section used the MOPH
database of COVID-19 patients
Initiative is designed by the Ministry of Public Health to take histories and discover
to contain the risks of the virus. who those patients have been
in contact with. They then
passed that information to
the volunteers in the contact
tracing team, who reached out
to individuals who have been in
Medical students at WCM-Q Abdallah Tom was one of the contact with COVID-19 patients Dr. Thurayya Arayssi
answered a call from the students to volunteer to help and helped them access a
Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) the MoPH. testing facility. Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, senior
for volunteers to help tackle associate dean for medical
the COVID-19 pandemic. WCM-Q student volunteers
The students who signed education and continuing
are also working with qualified
Eighteen WCM-Q students and up to assist the MOPH were professional development at
doctors who are members
one recent graduate signed up Abdallah Tom, Dana Al-Ali, Hissa WCM-Q, said: “We are very
of Qatar Medical Association
to help the MOPH in its work AlHail, Shahryar Tariq Rana, proud of our student volunteers
(QMA) to provide psychosocial
to contain the effects of the Krishnadev Pillai, Noora Alhail, for showing great enthusiasm
support via phone to patients
coronavirus in four key areas: Nada Mobayed, Aldana Shahbik, for helping the MOPH with this
who have been diagnosed
risk communication; guidelines Gabriala Andrews, Jassim vital work. As doctors in training,
with COVID-19. The student
and standard operating Taimour, Nasser Al-Khawaga, they already have a strong
volunteers are trained by QMA’s
procedures (SOP); investigation; Aya Youssef, Mahmood instinct to help safeguard
doctors, who also monitor the
and contact tracing. Al-Orphaly, Fatma Al-Binali, the health of anyone in need
calls for quality control.
Toqa Afifi, Dhabia Al-Merekhi, and they are very thankful to
The students, who were rallied Salma Al-Mohannadi and WCM-Q fourth-year medical the MOPH for giving them this
to the cause by Qatar Medical Kholoud Abu-Holayqah. student Abdallah Tom, chance to help.”
Students’ Association (QMSA), president of QMSA, said: “As
worked as volunteers for two to Dr. Grigory Ostrovskiy, assistant
medical students, we felt
four days per week, depending professor of emergency
that we had an obligation to
on the MOPH’s needs and medicine in medicine at WCM-Q,
help Qatar fight the COVID-19
their own personal and study coordinated the collaboration
pandemic so we were very
commitments. The volunteering with the MOPH. Recent WCM-Q
keen and grateful for the
program was established in graduate Dr. Hamad Almuhannadi
opportunity to volunteer with
collaboration with the MOPH, also volunteered.
the Ministry of Public Health.
which is providing specialist We are all extremely committed
Volunteers in the risk
training to all volunteers to allow to using the skills and
communication section
them to assist in the important knowledge we have learned
worked on the national 16000
work of tackling the virus.
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coronavirus hotline service, in our studies so far to help
answering questions from efforts to protect the health of
callers, taking histories from everyone in Qatar.”
them and referring them to
testing facilities where needed.
26 27WCM-Q to support WHO
Ministry of Public Health, which have made these infrastructure that has been built in Qatar with the
strategic partnerships and investments for support of Qatar Foundation. I offer my warmest
global health possible.” thanks to Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari and
other esteemed colleagues at the Ministry of Public
HH Sheikha Moza attends inauguration of WHO Collaborating IDEG lead Dr. Abu-Raddad, who also holds
the position of assistant dean for extramural
Health and the World Health Organization for giving
us the opportunity to work with them to tackle the
Center in WCM-Q research funding and director of the
COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.”
biostatistics, epidemiology, and biomathematics
research core at WCM-Q, is one of the region’s The designation of the IDEG comes after a decade
leading epidemiologists. He said: “It is very of high-profile studies on the epidemiology of
gratifying for our research team to receive this infectious diseases on the national, regional, and
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre honorable designation from the WHO. We are international levels, which has helped inform public
chairperson of Qatar, attended an event marking status at WCM-Q is a huge achievement, and very pleased and proud to be able to support health policy and programs. The group will carry
the official designation of a research group at further strengthens Qatar’s ability to fight the work of the WHO in combating infectious out activities in support of key WHO programs
WCM-Q as a World Health Organization (WHO) infectious diseases that affect communities all diseases and their impact on people in Qatar, aimed at combating the spread of infectious
Collaborating Centre for combating COVID-19 and over the EMR region and beyond.” the EMR region, and beyond. We also feel very diseases, specifically HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, that
other selected infectious diseases in the region. privileged to have been in a position to provide have a severe negative impact on the health
She added: “This official designation demonstrates scientific technical support to the Ministry of
Under the new designation, the Infectious the success of Qatar’s investment in the and wellbeing of communities all over the EMR
Public Health and the State of Qatar during the and beyond. This means that Qatar, thanks to its
Disease Epidemiology Group (IDEG) at WCM-Q healthcare and research sectors and reinforces coronavirus epidemic.”
will support WHO’s regional and global efforts Qatar’s contribution to public health on a global investment in biomedical research infrastructure
to promote health and wellbeing by providing level. On behalf of the health sector, I would like Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q said: “All of us at and scientific human capital in recent years, will
scientific research and advice to inform policy to thank Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, WCM-Q are extremely proud of the excellent work be host to a valuable resource working to promote
decisions and public health programs in the chairperson of Qatar Foundation for her vision of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group. the health and wellbeing of people right across
Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Led by and leadership in creating a culture of research Its members’ dedication to promoting public the region and globally. This official designation of
Dr. Laith Abu-Raddad, WCM-Q professor of excellence in Qatar Foundation and in WCM-Q”. health, for more than a decade, has led to this the IDEG as a WHO Collaborating Centre has been
infectious disease epidemiology, IDEG has distinguished designation of the group as a WHO made possible by the support provided to WMC-Q
a special focus on viral hepatitis, which is Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO regional Collaborating Centre. This honor demonstrates by Qatar Foundation, the Ministry of Public Health
especially prevalent in EMR countries and is one director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said: the global impact of the scientific capacity and and the visionary leadership of the State of Qatar.
of the leading causes of deaths globally. The “The designation of the Infectious Disease
group contributed to efforts in combatting the Epidemiology Group of Weill Cornell Medicine-
spread of HIV/AIDS, reproductive tract infections, Qatar as a WHO Collaborating Centre recognizes
and, more recently, COVID-19. a history of more than a decade of collaboration
in the field of infectious diseases and provides
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, IDEG a formal framework for future joint activities.
has spearheaded WCM-Q’s efforts to work Collaborating centers such as IDEG are our
closely with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) critical partners in our endeavor to achieve our
in Qatar and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) vision for the region, ‘Vision 2023’, with its goal of
as they confront the infection’s spread, working ‘Health for All, by All’.
with healthcare and policy experts to provide
scientific technical analyses that has supported “The collaborating center could also play an
the COVID-19 national response. important role in support of another important
joint initiative between WHO and the Qatar Fund
Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, For Development in addressing emergencies,
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minister of public health and managing director including infectious diseases such as COVID-19,
of HMC said: “The members of the IDEG are and the provision of essential health services
doing fantastic work with senior experts and in selected countries of the region. I would
officials in the Ministry of Public Health and at therefore like to commend the high-level political
HMC to ensure we minimize the spread of the support by the State of Qatar and the farsighted
coronavirus in the State of Qatar. Being awarded leadership of the Qatar Foundation and the HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with HE Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari (left), and Dr. Javaid Sheikh (right).
28 29The end of hepatitis C?
Researchers publish their first report after being designated
a WHO collaborating center.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, in viral hepatitis in the Eastern Mediterranean region
partnership with the World Health Organization that were conducted over a decade by IDEG.
(WHO), have produced a comprehensive report These studies were funded by Qatar National
on the hepatitis C virus epidemic in the Eastern Research Fund, a member of Qatar Foundation,
Mediterranean region, offering guidance on how through the National Priorities Research Program
to eliminate the disease by the WHO’s 2030 grant 4-924-3-251, 9-040-3-008, and more
target date. recently 12S-0216-190094.
The WHO report, entitled ‘Epidemiology Hepatitis C is a blood-borne pathogen and one
of hepatitis C virus in the WHO Eastern of the leading causes of liver diseases and liver
Mediterranean Region: Implications for strategic cancer. The virus is mostly transmitted through
action’, is the product of close collaboration sharing of unsterile needles and syringes,
between the WHO Regional Office for the use of contaminated medical equipment, and
Eastern Mediterranean (WHO-EMRO) and transfusion of infected blood. It is only in the last
WCM-Q’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group few years that novel treatment regimens have
(IDEG). The report is one of the first outcomes of produced cures for this infection, thus reducing
the WHO Collaborating Centre and synthesizes the toll of liver complications such as liver fibrosis,
the findings of a series of scientific studies on cirrhosis, and cancer in infected persons.
In the Eastern Mediterranean region, hepatitis Chemaitelly, senior epidemiologist at WCM-Q
C accounts for about two-thirds of morbidity and lead author of the report.
and mortality due to viral hepatitis, the fifth
leading cause of death in this part of the world. “Programs focused on testing and treating
The report provides comprehensive mapping the general population are unlikely to be
for hepatitis C infection spread across all 22 cost-effective as infection levels are low in
countries comprising the region as well as a the wider population in most countries in the
roadmap and priority actions for the achievement eastern Mediterranean region and most often
of national, regional, and global targets for the in the range of about one percent. The only two
elimination of hepatitis C infection as a public main exceptions are Egypt and Pakistan, where
health threat by 2030. infection levels in the general population are
higher by at least five-fold and where elimination
“By comprehensively mapping the spread of the of the infection will require mass scale-up of
infection across populations and countries, we testing and treatment services,” she added.
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identified the priority populations for scaling up
coverage of hepatitis C testing and treatment
services and the kind of interventions that are
needed to control this epidemic,” said Hiam
Hiam Chemaitelly, Dr. Laith Abu Raddad, Joumana Hermez and Dr. Abdul Sattar Al-Taie.
30 31Dr. Laith Abu-Raddad, principal investigator of and treatment. The WHO is fully committed to
this project and professor of population health work with countries to accomplish the elimination
sciences at WCM-Q said: “We aimed through this goal before the end of the next decade.”
work to provide countries in the region with the
foundation necessary to develop an Dr. Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, executive director
evidence-informed national response and at Qatar National Research Fund, said: “This
to justify the establishment of programs accomplishment is a testimony of the impact
and allocation of resources for hepatitis C of Qatar’s investment in scientific research on
elimination, now that highly effective treatments public health in our region, and the fruit of years
for this infection have become available and at of collective efforts and of hard and dedicated
affordable prices. Without an appropriate public work at Qatar National Research Fund and
health response, the healthcare system in the Qatar Foundation to establish Qatar as a hub
region will continue to endure serious and costly of research excellence and scientific innovation.
health complications of hepatitis C infection I am excited to see, after a decade of capacity
in terms of liver diseases and cancer, and the building, Qatar has now positioned itself as
region will not be able to achieve the WHO goal a leader in infectious disease epidemiology
of eliminating this infection by 2030.” research in our region.”
The report can be read in full at
Ms. Joumana Hermez, the regional advisor for
http://www.emro.who.int/asd/asd-infocus/
HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections
epidemiology-of-hepatitis-c-virus-in-the-who-eastern-
at the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region mediterranean-region.html
office, said: “We are at a very important juncture
today where we have the tools to fully eliminate
this infection in our region. The report provides
strategic epidemiologic evidence to accomplish
this through cost-effective programs for testing
Key findings of the report
· The report provided a comprehensive · P
opulations with liver conditions,
mapping for hepatitis C infection spread clinical populations frequently attending
across all 22 countries constituting the healthcare facilities, and people with
Eastern Mediterranean region as well as a a history of repeated and shared injections
roadmap and priority actions for achieving have the highest infection levels and
the goal of hepatitis C elimination by 2030. should be at the core of every testing and
treatment strategy.
· The report established the scientific
foundation necessary to develop an
evidence-informed national response and
to justify the establishment of programs
and allocation of resources for hepatitis
C elimination now that highly efficacious
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treatments for this infection have become
available and at affordable prices.
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