Prof. Abiola Senok
Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine & Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Abiola Senok is Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine & Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Abiola is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, United Kingdom. She is a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academy of Scientists. She is on the Expert Panel of Infectious Disease Hub (part of the Future Science Group, UK). She serves on the UAE National Sub-Committee for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance; Central Antibiotic Stewardship Committee, Dubai Health Authority and the COVID-19 Committee of Abu Dhabi.
Her research interests include molecular epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance, microbial pathogenicity, human microbiome and probiotics as well as infection prevention & control; and she has published extensively in these areas.
She is a Senior Editor, Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, Associate Editor PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases and Guest Editor, PLoS One.
Dr. Adeeba Al Herz
Consultant Rheumatologist
Al-Amiri Hospital & Medical One Polyclinic
Kuwait City, Kuwait
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Abiola Senok is Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine & Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Abiola is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, United Kingdom. She is a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academy of Scientists. She is on the Expert Panel of Infectious Disease Hub (part of the Future Science Group, UK). She serves on the UAE National Sub-Committee for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance; Central Antibiotic Stewardship Committee, Dubai Health Authority and the COVID-19 Committee of Abu Dhabi.
Her research interests include molecular epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance, microbial pathogenicity, human microbiome and probiotics as well as infection prevention & control; and she has published extensively in these areas.
She is a Senior Editor, Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, Associate Editor PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases and Guest Editor, PLoS One.
Dr. Ahmed Zayat
Senior Consultant of Rheumatology
University Hospital Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Ahmed Salem Zayat a senior consultant of rheumatology and a chairman of therapeutic (P& T) committee at the University Hospital Sharjah, UAE. Hold a of Master of Science (MSc) from university of Leeds, UK (2007), Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK (2009), Degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Leeds, UK (2012), and RCP Rheumatology Specialty Certificate Examination (2013).
Dr. Zayat had been awarded several times; Local Clinical Excellence Award, Bradford teaching hospitals, 2018, National Institute for health research (NIHR) clinical Lectureship Award, 2013, Howard Bird First Prize, Yorkshire Educational Training Programme 2013, Second Prize, Yorkshire Educational Training Programme 2012, and Distinction in Medical Imaging MSc program, University of Leeds 2007. Dr. Zayat has many publications and presented at different national and international conferences.
Dr. Ali Alsarhan
Pediatric Rheumatologist
Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Ali Alsarhan was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and moved to Jordan at a young age for his schooling. He moved back to Iraq in 2010 to finish high school and subsequently completed his graduation in Medicine from the University of Duhok. He was ranked second in his class of 49 graduates. During his time in Duhok University, Dr. Ali was active in promoting public health and healthcare in children and worked for a year with Première Urgence Internationale, an international NGO that helps civilians who are marginalized or excluded as a result of natural disasters, war, and economic collapse. Thereafter he move to UAE to start his journey in paediatric world in al-jalila children’s hospital. He expressed interest in research particularly in Rheumatology and was able to publish several papers in this field and to participate in conferences present clinical posters. Meanwhile, he is in his his last year of the residency, which would not be the last educational stations, hoping that he will proceed to his subspecialty in the future. Dr. Ali strongly believes strongly in the thought of being positive, and he incorporates that in his daily routine.
Dr. Amel Al Ginawi
Consultant Rheumatologist
Mediclinic City Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Consultant Rheumatologist-Mediclinic City Hospital-Dubai, UAE. Clinical Associate Professor Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and health sciences (MBRU). Dr. Ginawi has more than 20 years’ experience in Rheumatology in the United Kingdom and Dubai. She has graduated from Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum in Sudan. Completed internal medicine training and specialist training in Rheumatology in the Eastern Region (UK). She obtained training in osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases in the Metabolic Bone Unit in Cambridge University hospitals. She has a master’s degree in Rheumatology from King’s College.
Dr. Amna Almuhairi
Rheumatology Fellow
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Dr Amna Al Muhairi, from the United Arab Emirates. A dedicated rheumatology fellow serving in the city of Abu Dhabi at Sheikh Sakhbout Medical City in partnership with Mayo Clinic. Dr Amna, is striving to provide best quality patient care
Ms. Andrea McBride
Founding Partner of Patient Support Consultancy Digital Nurse
Founder of Awarding-Winning Arthursplace.co.uk
Newcastle, United Kingdom
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Andrea McBride is a former Advanced Rheumatology Nurse Specialist, working within the UK’s NHS. A founding partner of patient support consultancy Digital Nurse, and founder of the award-winning young adult service Arthursplace.co.uk.
With a specialist interest in young adults with long-term conditions, Andrea developed a new rheumatology service within NHS Lothian, delivering transitional information and support needs for young patients, parents and Health care professionals, supporting paediatric and adult rheumatology services.
With an interest in service innovation, Andrea carried out qualitative research to determine what support young adults needed, when and how. The results showed an unmet need for relatable, age-appropriate information using channels aligned with their digital habits. Consequently, Andrea independently raised funding to create Arthursplace.co.uk, an online magazine and peer support community for adults aged 18-35 years with rheumatological conditions.
Now a popular website, community group, podcast series, social media and YouTube TV channel with global reach, Arthur’s Place has won several awards, including a National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Patients in Focus Gold award, presented at the British Society of Rheumatology, and a Big Ideas for Better Health award, presented at Parliament, by MP Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Andrea has shared her expertise at Parliamentary groups and on advisory boards addressing young adult needs across multiple long-term conditions. Meanwhile, Digital Nurse continues to work with organisations to build better patient support programmes, by listening to patients and health professionals and creating genuinely informative, and supportive, community and media experiences.
Dr. Azzam Maghazachi
Visiting Professor
University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Azzam A Maghazachi received a master degree from New York University Medical School (USA), and a PhD degree in Immunology from the University of Manitoba Medical School (Canada). He did post-doctoral fellowships at NYU Medical School (USA) and at the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Between 1988-2005, he held several senior positions in various institutes and universities in the USA, Canada and Norway. Between 2004-2007 he was the Chief Scientific Officer at Bio-Quant, Inc. in San Diego, and between 2007-2015 was a Professor of Physiology in the faculty of Medicine at the University of Oslo, Norway, and is currently a professor of Immunology in the college of Medicine, University of Sharjah. He and his group were the first to identify all chemokine receptors on NK cells and were the first to examine the biological activities of chemokines on these cells. Later, they identified lysophospholipids and oxidized lipids receptors on NK cells and investigated the effects of these lipids. They also discovered a new subset of NK cells that secrete both IL-17 and IFN-g, and designated them as NK17/NK1 cells. Dr. Maghazachi is an expert in cancer immunotherapy field and has developed clinical trials using natural killer cells to treat various cancers. His research interests are cancer immunology, autoimmune diseases, chemokines, and drug mechanisms of action. Dr. Maghazachi is an editor or editor-in-chief on more than 10 scientific journals in the fields of Immunology, Oncology and Neuroscience. He published more than 100 scientific papers as well as book chapters and ebooks.
Dr. Beena Hamid
Consultant Rheumatology
King’s College Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr Beena Hameed is a Consultant rheumatologist working at Kings College hospital Dubai, UAE
Dr Hameed obtained initial medical degree from Pakistan. She completed specialist training in Rheumatology and General Medicine from Guys and St Thomas’, St George’s and Kings College hospital, London United Kingdom. She undertook a Masters in Rheumatology from Kings college London, which was awarded with distinction. She has carried out research looking into application of musculoskeletal ultrasound in rheumatoid arthritis disease diagnosis and disease activity assessment. Her research work has presented at both local and international meetings, as well as being published in leading international peer-reviewed journals. She is an invited speaker at both national and international conferences.
Prof. Catherine Nelson Piercy
Consultant Obstetric Physician
Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals Trust and Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital
London, United Kingdom
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Catherine Nelson-Piercy is a Consultant Obstetric Physician at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals Trust and Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London. In 2010 she was awarded the title of Professor of Obstetric Medicine at King’s College London. Her undergraduate studies were at King’s College, Cambridge University and St Bartholomew’s Hospital. She trained as a physician, and was taught Obstetric Medicine by Professor Michael de Swiet.
Professor Nelson-Piercy is past President of the International Society of Obstetric Medicine (ISOM). She was founding co-editor in chief of the journal ‘Obstetric Medicine: the medicine of pregnancy.’
Professor Nelson-Piercy has been involved in the development of several evidence-based National Guidelines notably for “Contraception in Women with Heart Disease”, BTS / SIGN “Asthma in Pregnancy” and RCOG Green top guidelines on “Reducing the risk of thromboembolism during pregnancy, birth & the puerperium” and ‘Management of nausea vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum”. She has over 250 publications and has edited five books and written the successful Handbook of Obstetric Medicine, now in its sixth edition. She is also one of the central physician assessors for the UK Confidential maternal deaths enquiry.
Prof. Chris Edwards
Consultant Rheumatologist & Chair of Clinical Rheumatology
University Hospital Southampton
Southampton, United Kingdom
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Professor Edwards is a Consultant Rheumatologist and Associate Director of the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility within the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS), having previously worked as a consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore. Professor Edwards trained with Professor Maini at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology during the early years of anti-TNF trials and with Professor Graham Hughes at the St Thomas’ Hospital Lupus Clinic in London. As Associate Director of the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility he is engaged with the running of a large translational research facility with phase I experience. Professor Edwards is Clinical Director of the Southampton Musculoskeletal Research Unit, a recognised EULAR centre of excellence and is the Chair of the EULAR Education Committee. In the last year, like many rheumatologists, Professor Edwards was repurposed to work on COVID-19 wards and has been a PI on COVID-19 vaccine and early phase trials of new therapies for COVID-19. He is the current Chair of the EULAR Education and a member of the EULAR Council.
Dr. David Kendler
Professor for Medicine (Endocrinology)
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada
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Dr. Elsadeg Sharif
Consultant Pediatric Rheumatologist
Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Sharif is currently working as consultant pediatric rheumatologist at Al jalila Children’s Specialty hospital AJCH Dubai. Dr Sharif has around thirty years of vast experience in General Pediatrics and Pediatric rheumatology, Neonatology, and Community Pediatrics. Prior to joining AJCH, Dr. Sharif has worked in many reputable Hospitals in the UK, UAE, and Libya such as Southmead Hospital, Bristol, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Hospitals, Al Ain Hospital, Children’s Hospital Tripoli – Libya. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Sharif held many key positions such as Chair of the Child Health Institute (CHI) at Al Ain hospital, President of the Pediatric Rheumatology Arab group (PRAG), co-chair and head of organizing committee at the SEHA International Pediatric Conference in January 2020 in Abu Dhabi, and the divisional clinical director, at the pediatric department Hull Royal Infirmary.
Dr. Sharif has played key role in clinical governance through planning, conducting and participating in audits to improve the quality of patient and healthcare in the Hospitals where he used to work.
Dr. Sharif is currently an Adjunct Associated Professor at the College of Medicine and Health Science (CMHS) at UAE University. Throughout his career, he has received many awards such as clinical excellence award in March 2010 at Hull Royal Infirmary UK, best trainer award from the Tawam paediatric residency programme at for the year 2014-2015, and the teaching excellence award for the academic year 2013 – 2014 from the Medical School at the UAE University.
In his career, Dr. Sharif has participated and conducted medical research and issued 6 publications: The Experience with Uveitis in Pediatric Age Group in Emirate of Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Child Abuse experience in Al Ain District, United Arab Emirates, and Detection of Bacterial DNA in Synovial Fluid and Peripheral Blood from children with Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis.
Dr. Sharif is a member of Royal college of Paediatric and Child health (RCPCH), British Society of paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR), Emirate society of Rheumatology (ESR), and President of the Paediatric Rheumatology Arab Group (PRAG).
Ms. Emma Doree
Wellbeing Assistant
Newcastle, United Kingdom
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My name is Emma Doree and I am twenty-eight years old. I live in the North East of England and was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (J.I.A) in all of my joints, just before I was four years old. Over the last five years, my JIA has developed in to Osteoarthritis in several of my joints, leading to me having both of my ankles replaced by the time I turned twenty-six years old. However, this has not stopped me continuing to achieve my goals.
I have always had a keen interest in journalism and graduated from Teesside University when I was twenty-one with a degree in BA(Hons) Multimedia Journalism.
I have grown up in a very musical family and can play the Cello and the Piano. Having this skill has led me to being part of/playing with different Orchestras in my spare time, in many different locations.
I have been working since I was sixteen years old, predominantly as a Communications Assistant however I am currently working for the Police as part of their Wellbeing Team, supporting Police Officers and Staff with their mental and physical health.
I am very passionate about raising awareness of Arthritis in children and young people and I am determined to not let me Arthritis define who I am.
Dr. Ernest Choy
Head of Rheumatology and Translational Research
Cardiff University School of Medicine
Wales, United Kingdom
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Dr. Fahad Fazal
Consultant Rheumatologist
Mediclinic Al Ain Hospital
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Dr Fazal is an experienced consultant rheumatologist currently working in
Mediclinic Al Ain. He previously worked as consultant rheumatologist in NHS
UK. He undertook his Rheumatology training in Leeds & West Yorkshire
region UK. He also worked as a clinical research fellow at Leeds Institute of
Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Dr Fazal has special interest in Musculoskeletal ultrasound including
ultrasound evaluation of joints for inflammatory diseases, and ultrasound
guided injections.
Dr Fazal is a Fellow of Royal college of Physicians Edinburg, Member of the
Royal College of Physicians (London), Member of British Society of
Rheumatology ,Emirates Society of Rheumatology and the Emirates Medical
Association.
Mediclinic Al Ain. He previously worked as consultant rheumatologist in NHS
UK. He undertook his Rheumatology training in Leeds & West Yorkshire
region UK. He also worked as a clinical research fellow at Leeds Institute of
Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Dr Fazal has special interest in Musculoskeletal ultrasound including
ultrasound evaluation of joints for inflammatory diseases, and ultrasound
guided injections.
Dr Fazal is a Fellow of Royal college of Physicians Edinburg, Member of the
Royal College of Physicians (London), Member of British Society of
Rheumatology ,Emirates Society of Rheumatology and the Emirates Medical
Association.
H.E. Dr. Fawaz AlRefaee
Secretary General
Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS)
Al-Adan Hospital
Kuwait City, Kuwait
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Dr.Fawaz finished medical school at Faculty of Medicine ,Kuwait University (MBBS) then went to Canada to obtain residency in Pediatrics at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia,Canada,then Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and nutrition fellowship at University of Alberta,Canada.Furthermore,Dr.AlRefaee he is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).He is having special interest in celiac disease,nutrition,functional GI diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Dr.AlRefaee is a member of many national and international societies like north American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition( NASPGHAN)
Dr. Gamal Hamed Ibrahim
Consultant Rheumatologist
Dr Sulaiman Al Habib hospital, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Graduated from Garyounis Umiversity, Benghazi- Libya in 1987.
Obtained Arab Board Medical Specialization (ABMS) 1993.
Appointed lecturer at Faculty of Medicine, University of Garyounis, Benghazi- Libya 1993-1996.
Then promoted to Assistant professor in internal medicine 1997.
Trained in the field of Rheumatology at University of Birmingham, UK and obtained Master degree in Rheumatology.
Continued training in Manchester (UK) and Leeds-Bradford (UK).
Specialist registration in Rheumatology – General Medical Council- UK
Holding Fellowship of the Royal college of London (FRCP, UK) and Fellowship of Ireland (FRCP, Ireland)
Membership examiner for RCP, UK and Ireland.
Had several publications in the field of Rheumatology in international peer reviewed journals.
Active member of GRAPPA and member of BSR (British Society of Rheumatology).
Currently, full time consultant at Dr sulaiman Al Habib hospital, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), Dubai, UAE.
Dr. Ghita Harifi
Consultant Rheumatologist
Mediclinic Parkview Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr Ghita Harifi, Rheumatologist, has been practicing in Dubai since 2012. Prior to joining Mediclinic Parkview Hospital she worked at Humeira Badsha Medical Center and Dubai Hospital where she set up a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Clinic, with the rheumatology team, beside the General Rheumatology and Early Arthritis clinics.
Dr Harifi is a board certified rheumatologist, a Fellow of the Université de Strasbourg, one of France’s best research universities specialized in auto-immune diseases. She completed her Post-Graduate Certificate in Interventional Rheumatology, and her French Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound from L’Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Sorbonne Universités, Paris.
Dr Harifi is an expert in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and she has been leading many teaching programs in this field in the UAE. She is also certified in interventional Rheumatology and performs different Ultrasound guided joints and tendons injections.
Dr Harifi is actively involved in research and education, and has been published in numerous peer reviewed journals.
Dr Harifi represents the UAE in the APLAR Young Rheumatologists (AYR) Committee , where she has been nominated as Chairperson of educational affairs.
Dr. Hanady Manasfi
Consultant Rheumatologist
Specialized Medical Center Hospital
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Dr. Hanady Manasfi is a consultant Rheumatologist in the department of internal medicine in Specialized Medical Center Hospital. Riyadh KSA
She graduated from American University of Beirut in 2000 where She received her degree in Rheumatology.
She is Former Rheumatology Consultant in the Military Hospital of Beirut.
In 2007, She opened the doors to her current practice in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and until present time…
She is the chairman of Medical Records Review Committee as well as co chairman of Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Committee in SMC.
She is a fellow of American College of Rheumatology ,USA.
She is a member of Saudi Society of Rheumatology
She is a coauthor of number of publications also a national and international Speaker in the field of Rheumatology.
Dr. Hanan Al Rayes
Deputy Director, Department of Medicine
Prince Sultan Military Medical City
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Hanan Mohammad Al Rayes is a Senior Rheumatology & Lupus Consultant. She is the President Saudi Society for Rheumatology. Dr. Hanan is the Deputy Director Medicine Department and the Chairperson of Evidence Based Health Guidelines at Prince Sultan Military Medical City. She has participated as a speaker at multiple national and international conferences. Dr. Al Rayes has published around 40 publications on Lupus, RA and SpA.
Dr. Hani Sabbour
Consultant, Cardiology
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Sabbour graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Basic Medical Sciences and another in Medicine and Surgery from Kuwait University Faculty of Medicine in 1994 with first class honors. He was also twice-awarded His Highness the Emirs Gold Medal for academic excellence in both degrees.
He subsequently went on to train in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease at SUNY Stony Brook in New York and was elected both Resident and Fellow of the Year several times. He then completed his training in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and was appointed Clinical Instructor in Cardiology at Harvard Medical School in 2001, as well as at SUNY Stony Brook.
Dr. Sabbour has six American Board Certifications and is currently certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiac Electrophysiology, Advanced Heart failure and Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology. He has always been heavily involved in teaching and has been a part of the teaching faculty at Brown University since 2006. He was promoted to Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at Brown University Warren Alpert School of Medicine in 2013 .
Dr. Sabbour has been active in research and is currently an active PI in two international multi-center trials in the field of pacing and ICDs and has had several publications in the field. He was also appointed as the Internal Medicine Residency Program Director at Al Ain Hospital, as well as Arab Board Cardiology Fellowship Site Co-Director. He had been practicing in Rhode Island for eleven years and then moved to the UAE in 2013 to be a Consultant Cardiologist at SEHA (SKMC, Mafraq, Al Ain Hospital and Tawam) Hospitals. Following that, Dr. Sabbour has been a caregiver at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi since 2016.
His
He subsequently went on to train in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease at SUNY Stony Brook in New York and was elected both Resident and Fellow of the Year several times. He then completed his training in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and was appointed Clinical Instructor in Cardiology at Harvard Medical School in 2001, as well as at SUNY Stony Brook.
Dr. Sabbour has six American Board Certifications and is currently certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiac Electrophysiology, Advanced Heart failure and Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology. He has always been heavily involved in teaching and has been a part of the teaching faculty at Brown University since 2006. He was promoted to Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at Brown University Warren Alpert School of Medicine in 2013 .
Dr. Sabbour has been active in research and is currently an active PI in two international multi-center trials in the field of pacing and ICDs and has had several publications in the field. He was also appointed as the Internal Medicine Residency Program Director at Al Ain Hospital, as well as Arab Board Cardiology Fellowship Site Co-Director. He had been practicing in Rhode Island for eleven years and then moved to the UAE in 2013 to be a Consultant Cardiologist at SEHA (SKMC, Mafraq, Al Ain Hospital and Tawam) Hospitals. Following that, Dr. Sabbour has been a caregiver at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi since 2016.
His
Prof. Hasan Yazici
Founder of the Division of Rheumatology
Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty of University of Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
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Prof. Hasan Yazici is a retired professor of medicine (rheumatology) and the founder of the Division of Rheumatology at Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty of University of Istanbul. His main research interests are Behçet syndrome, clinical research methodology and ethics.
Prof. Yazici has published widely about Behçet syndrome, being its most cited author on the Web. The dedicated Behçet syndrome outpatient clinic he has started with a group of colleagues 45 years ago is still functional both in patient care and research. He has published many original articles in addition to his text book contributions, editorials and reviews. He has recieved a number of prestigious awards and has a long list of memberships in the editorial boards and scientific societies which includes being a member of the Science Academy (Turkey), European Academy of Sciences, Master of the American College of Rheumatology and the recipient of the 2012 EULAR award for Meritorious Service.
Prof. Hauke Busch
Professor for Medical Systems Biology
University of Lübeck
Lübeck, Germany
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Prof. Busch studied Theoretical Physics at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. After finishing his PhD in 2004, dealing with numerical simulations on the interplay of noise and neuronal excitation, he started in the field of Systems Biology as a PostDoc at the Center for Modelling and Simulation in the Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, and German Cancer Research Center. His primary focus was on the development and simulation of protein signaling pathway models and gene regulatory networks. In 2009 he became a Junior research fellow at the Freiburg Institute of Advanced Studies (FRIAS) at the University of Freiburg.
Together with Dr. Dr. Melanie Börries he established a joint dry- and wet-lab at the Center for Biosystems Analysis (ZBSA), wherein they combined experimental research on cell-cell communication with the development of appropriate multi-scale dynamic models to investigate the necessary and sufficient control points that lead to cell proliferation, differentiation, migration or death.
In 2013, they moved their lab to the German Cancer Consortium partner site Freiburg at the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, developing analysis pipelines for the stratification, diagnosis and therapy prediction of cancer patients based on sequencing technology.
Since October 2016, Prof. Busch is a newly appointed member of the Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Member of the Excellence Cluster “Inflammation at Interfaces”, carrying over his Systems Biology approaches to study autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Hiba Khogali
Specialist Rheumatology
Tawam Hospital
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Dr Hiba Ibrahim Khogali is an established Rheumatologist working in the Rheumatology Department of Tawam Hospital since 2012. She holds multiple certificates including the
Sc Rheumatology UK achieved in 2012 as well as MRCP, the MRCPI in 2011, the MBBS , and The Ultrasound Musculoskeletal Diploma in 2015.
Dr. Hiba Ibrahim Khogali has founded several Specialized Rheumatology clinics at Tawam hospital such as The First Specialized SLE clinic established in Al Ain city since 2013 where numerous highly challenging cases have been managed with great success , as well as The Joint Rheumatology-OB clinic High Risk pregnancies care Clinic in which all Rheumatological pregnant cases with a special focal point directed towards Lupus patients are managed. Furthermore, a Co-joint clinic of Psoriatic Arthritis ( The first clinic of its type across the Gulf ) in collaboration with Dermatology Department which was established in the beginning of 2020.
Dr Hiba is greatly devoted and endorsed in research which is showcased in several pieces and occasions of her effort across the years which involves the publishment of Two Cases report “Myocarditis as a lupus challenge” , Article of “The Rate and Cause of Hospitalization of SLE Patients and Factors Associated with Increase Length of Admission”– ACR Scientific Meeting US (American College of Rheumatology) in 2018 + PedMed on the LUPUS Sage Journal.
She has set up a full SLE pathway care Including Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Well Women care at Tawam Hospital established in the year of 2018. Moreover, she is a vital participant in various care pathways for Early RA and Psoriatic Arthritis.
She is a core Faculty member of the Residency Programme in Tawam Hospital as well as a Clinical examiner helper for Medical students.
Sc Rheumatology UK achieved in 2012 as well as MRCP, the MRCPI in 2011, the MBBS , and The Ultrasound Musculoskeletal Diploma in 2015.
Dr. Hiba Ibrahim Khogali has founded several Specialized Rheumatology clinics at Tawam hospital such as The First Specialized SLE clinic established in Al Ain city since 2013 where numerous highly challenging cases have been managed with great success , as well as The Joint Rheumatology-OB clinic High Risk pregnancies care Clinic in which all Rheumatological pregnant cases with a special focal point directed towards Lupus patients are managed. Furthermore, a Co-joint clinic of Psoriatic Arthritis ( The first clinic of its type across the Gulf ) in collaboration with Dermatology Department which was established in the beginning of 2020.
Dr Hiba is greatly devoted and endorsed in research which is showcased in several pieces and occasions of her effort across the years which involves the publishment of Two Cases report “Myocarditis as a lupus challenge” , Article of “The Rate and Cause of Hospitalization of SLE Patients and Factors Associated with Increase Length of Admission”– ACR Scientific Meeting US (American College of Rheumatology) in 2018 + PedMed on the LUPUS Sage Journal.
She has set up a full SLE pathway care Including Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Well Women care at Tawam Hospital established in the year of 2018. Moreover, she is a vital participant in various care pathways for Early RA and Psoriatic Arthritis.
She is a core Faculty member of the Residency Programme in Tawam Hospital as well as a Clinical examiner helper for Medical students.
Dr. Jalal Taneera
Assistant Professor of Experimental Endocrinology
College of Medicine, University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Lakshmanan Jeyaseelan
Professor
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. L. Jeyaseelan is a Professor of Biostatistics at the MBRU of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE, and a Fellow of International Clinical Epidemiology (INCLEN) network. Dr.L.Jeyaseelan pursued one year Fellowship on Advanced level Biostatistics, Clinical Epidemiology and Epidemiology at the University of New Castle, Australia in 1989-90. I am awarded PhD in Biostatistics in 1989. Since then, Dr.L.Jeyaseelan trained Medical graduates (Bachelor (MBBS) and Masters (MD & MS)), Master’s students in Public Health, MSc Nursing and PhD students in statistical methods, epidemiology and computing.
Dr.L.Jeyaseelan worked as Visiting Professor at the University of Washington from 2004-2006. Dr.L.Jeyaseelan worked in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital as Consultant Professor for two years. During this period Dr.L.Jeyaseelan have conducted 22 workshops for the faculty members of the university. Dr.L.Jeyaseelan have been actively involved in conduction basic and advanced level Biostatistics and Epidemiological workshops since 2001. Dr.L.Jeyaseelan have had collaborations with University of North Carolina, McMaster University and University of Oklohama. Based on these collaborations I was able to conduct some advanced level topics such as Diagnostics Test, Latent class models etc. (refer site: http://cmc-biostatistics.ac.in/pasteventlist.php ).
Dr.L.Jeyaseelan served as PI, Co-PI on National level projects in India. Dr.L.Jeyaseelan served as a member of Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) of WHO Polio Studies . He has more than 200 papers published in national and international journals. Dr.L.Jeyaseelan developed a sample size calculation software “nMaster”, which is being marketed, promoted and appreciated widely now in India
Dr. Jibran Sualeh Muhammad
Assistant Professor of of Anatomy
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Jibran Sualeh Muhammad is currently working as an Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences in the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. His research interests includes Cancer Biology, Epigenetics, Natural Products. He graduated at the University of Karachi in Karachi, Pakistan. He graduated in the school of medicine and pharmaceutical sciences in the University of Toyama, Japan.
Prof. Karl Gaffney
Honorary Professor
Norwich Medical School
Norwich, United Kingdom
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Karl Gaffney (MB, BCh, BAO Hons, FRCPI, FRCP) has been a Consultant Rheumatologist in Norwich since 1995 where he is service lead for axial spondyloarthritis (including ankylosing spondylitis) and adolescent/transition rheumatology. He is an Honorary Professor at Norwich Medical School, chair of the medical advisory board, National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (www.nass.co.uk), founder member, treasurer and chair-elect of BRITSpA (www.britspa.co.uk), chair of the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) axial SpA Biologics Guidelines Committee, member of the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Project Working Group, associate editor Rheumatology (https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology), co-director and founder of the Spondyloarthritis Academy (www.spaacademy.org), and an invited member of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society www.asas-group.org. He has also represented the BSR and NASS at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) appraisal of biological therapies since 2007. He was Rheumatology Service Director from 2008 until 2016, Director of Postgraduate Education in Norwich between 1999 and 2005, and Director of Rheumatology Training, Eastern Deanery between 2001 and 2007
Dr. Khalid Alnaqbi
Consultant & Cheif of Rheumatology and Immunology
Tawam Hospital
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Khalid Alnaqbi is a Consultant Rheumatologist, Chief of Rheumatology at Tawam hospital, and Clinical Assistant Professor, UAE University. He is also the Vice President of Emirates Medical Association. He graduated from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University. Dr. Alnaqbi completed post-graduate residency training at the University of Toronto in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, and Spondyloarthritis Clinical Fellowship with thesis-based Master of Science (MSc). He holds multiple board certifications (American and Canadian Boards in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Clinician Investigator Board, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Program).
Dr. Khuloud Bajbouj
Assistant Professor
University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Leigh Powell
Senior Learning Designer
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Leigh Powell is a senior learning designer at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU). Prior to joining MBRU, Leigh has worked as an instructional systems designer at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. She earned her master’s degree in educational technology at San Diego State University and her doctoral degree in data-driven learning design at University of Florida.
Dr. Mahmood Hachim
Associate Professor
College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Mahmood has a multidisciplinary background that shaped his medical and research careers. With two doctoral degrees in molecular medicine and translational research, Master of research in cancer biology, and Master of Science in Medical Microbiology and Immunology, he developed research skills and experience in systems and computational biology focused on understanding mechanisms of complex diseases including breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, and asthma. Dr. Mahmood aims to understand the molecular basis of such diseases by applying novel bioinformatics and state-of-the-art omics approaches. Identification of novel diagnostic and predictive clinically proven biomarkers is his goal. Specifically, understanding the exact role of host immune response and microbiome interaction in susceptibility and development of clinical heterogeneity of such chronic diseases is his current research. As an investigator on several UAE funded grants and in collaboration with colleagues in the UAE and abroad, his research has resulted in more than 80 peer-reviewed publications to date, in addition to conference presentations.He also serves as editor and reviewer in reputable journals.
Prof. Marco Matucci Cerinic
Professor, Rheumatology
University of Florence
Florence, Italy
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Marco Matucci-Cerinic is Full Professor of Rheumatology at the Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine of the University of Florence and works in the Rheumatology Division of the Careggi University Hospital of Florence. The professor is a member of the prestigious British Royal College of Physicians, the American College of Rheumatology, the Italian Society of Rheumatology and is also an honorary member of the British Society of Rheumatology.
Prof. Matucci-Cerinic has served as executive secretary of ILAR, vice president of SCTC, secretary general of EULAR and founder of the EUSTAR group. He is currently president of the World Scleroderma Foundation and editor of the Journal of Scleroderma & Related Diseases. He is also Associate Editor of the Arthritis Research & Therapy and Clinical Experimental Rheumatology journals and member of the board of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Rheumatology, Journal of Rheumatology, Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, Pulmonary Circulation and other rheumatology journals.
He has published more than 1000 scientific papers in the field of rheumatology, in particular on the pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon, pulmonary, cardiac and vascular involvement (digital ulcers) of systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis and osteoarthritis.
Dr. Maryam Al-Nesf
Senior Consultant Allergy and Immunology
Hamad Medical Corporation
Doha, Qatar
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Maryam Ali Al-Nesf Al-Mansouri received the MD degree from Sultan Qaboos University, Oman in 1999, and the Arab Board of Internal Medicine in 2005. She pursues her higher education by doing the fellowships in Pulmonary Medicine, followed by Allergy, and Clinical Immunology in Qatar-HMC & Cambridge, UK March 2006- Feb. 2010. She passed EAACI/UEMS Exam in Allergology and Clinical Immunology in 2014. She granted her Master by research (MSc R) from University of Bristol/ UK (School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine) in 2019 and currently doing PhD in Molecular Medicine with University College of London/ UK. She received multiple grants under MRC-IRGC cycles and QNRF (worth of more than 3 M QAR) and has multiple publications in high impact peer reviewed journals and books. Also, participated in writing multiple local protocols and guidelines for the hospitals. She is leading the establishment of pollen & fungal calendar and atlas of Qatar since 2016. She is granted the following academic positions: Clinical Assistant Professor, Qatar University College of Medicine since August 2016. She is the Program Director for the combined Allergy and Immunology Fellowship training in Qatar since 2014 to date and the past PD for pulmonary fellowship (A&I fellowship program received ACGME-I accreditation on 2018. She is appointed head of the Adult A&I service in Qatar since 2016 to date
Dr. Martin Lee
Program Chair, MRC 2021
Consultant Rheumatologist & Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor
Mediclinic Parkview Hospital & Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine & Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Lee Consultant Rheumatologist and Adjunct Associate Professor in Clinical Rheumatology currently working at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital and MBRU, Dubai.
Dr. Lee have previously worked as a Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, UK and a Consultant Rheumatologist, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer and Associate Sub-Dean at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, UK.
Throughout his consultant career Dr. Lee have been actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education as well as clinical research. Dr. Lee have acted as Principal Investigator on multiple clinical observational and interventional trials including BA-REAL, COMPACT, Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications Study (RAMS), TITRATE, LYNC, YOURR and BeTAR.
Whilst working as a consultant in the UK, Dr. Lee developed a number of specialist interests within the field of Rheumatology including Young Adult and Transitional Care and the Management of Pregnancy in Rheumatic Diseases. Dr. Lee developed a number of clinical services within Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Hospitals including an Annual Review service for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (which won a National Institute for Health & Care Excellence award in 2015), a joint Rheumatology and Obstetrics service and a Young Adult and Transitional Care service. The Young Adult and Transitional Care service received Department of Health, ‘You’re Welcome’ accreditation in 2017 and a Shared Care Learning Award from the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence in 2018.
Dr. Lee became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) in 2016 and passed the EULAR European Certification in Rheumatology in 2018. Despite working as a full-time clinical role Dr. Lee have published multiple manuscripts and abstracts in journal publications. In 2016 Dr. Lee was nominated by a patient for and subsequently won the NRAS Healthcare Champion award and was presented this award by Rt Hon Theresa May MP at the Houses of Parliament. Outside of work Dr. Lee also a non-executive director of Arthur’s Place (www.arthursplace.co.uk), a charitable magazine and social network for young adults with arthritis.
Ms. Merisha Kovacevic
Senior Learning Designer
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Mersiha Kovacevic is a learning designer at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU). Prior to joining MBRU, Mersiha has worked as an instructor, curriculum developer, and course designer in higher education in Saudi Arabia and the United States. She earned her Certificate in E-Learning Instructional Design from University of Washington and is currently studying in a doctoral program in Educational Leadership with focus on Adult Education and Online Learning at City University of Seattle.
Dr. Mira Merashli
Assistant Professor, Clinical Medicine Rheumatology
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
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Dr. Mohamed Elarabi
Consultant Rheumatologist
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Mohamed El Arabi, MD, is a Staff Physician in the Rheumatology Department of the Medical Subspecialties institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. El Arabi worked as a consultant rheumatologist in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Dr. El Arabi received his medical degree from the University of Alexandria in Egypt. He completed his internal medicine and geriatric medicine residencies at Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA. Following this, Dr. El Arabi completed his Fellowship in Rheumatology Scleroderma at the University of Toronto, Canada.
Dr. El Arabi resides in Abu Dhabi with his family.
Dr. Mohammed Omair
Consultant Rheumatologist & Associate Professor
King Saud University
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Dr. Mohsen Abbas
Consultant Rheumatology
Al Qassimi Hospital
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr Mohsin Abbas graduated from King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan. He did the internship in Mayo Hospital Lahore and after clearing the PLAB UK examination proceeded to the UK where he finished the Senior House Officer rotations in Rheumatology & various other sub-specialties of Internal Medicine. After completing the MRCP UK examinations he was trained as a specialist registrar in Rheumatology & General Internal Medicine in the Wessex, Northern & the North Western deaneries of the UK to acquire the Certificates of Completion of training in Rheumatology & General Internal Medicine from the General Medical Council of the UK. Subsequently he worked as a locum consultant in Rheumatology & Acute Medicine & then as a substantive consultant rheumatologist in the UK before moving to the UAE in June 2013.
Presently Dr Abbas works as a consultant rheumatologist in the Al Qassimi Hospital Sharjah. He also holds an additional post of Assistant Professor of Rheumatology with the University of Sharjah.
Dr Abbas has an extensive experience of managing various rheumatologic illnesses & carries out multiple procedures for the immediate pain relief & to restore the function.
He has a passion for the academia & has published & presented in a number of national & international journals & rheumatology conferences.
He is a keen teacher & has a long track record of teaching & training undergraduate & postgraduate doctors & other allied health professionals like nurses & physiotherapists etc.
Dr. Mustafa Khalid Al Izzi
Senior Consultant Rheumatology
Mediclinic City Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Al Izzi has over 30 years’ experience in rheumatology and Internal medicine.
His previous positions included being the department head and Professor of Rheumatology at the College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Iraq from 1989 till 2002, and then between 2003 and 2011 he was the Head of the Rheumatology department at Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi and then Head of the Rheumatology department at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
He joined Mediclinic Dubai in October 2011.
He is a UK trained certified senior rheumatologist, registered with the UK General Medical Council (GMC) and the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR)
He is a member and a fellow (MRCP, FRCP) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, UK.
He is a cofounder and a previous president and currently the vice president of the Emirates Osteoporosis Society (EOS) since 2006 and has presented a large number of papers in regional and international meetings in the fields of rheumatology and osteoporosis in addition to a number of scientific publications in reputed medical journals.
His special interests include a wide range of different bones and joints disorders, inflammatory arthritis, spondylitis, autoimmune rheumatic disease such as lupus (SLE) in addition to osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, back and neck pain and various types of auto inflammatory disease and soft tissues disorders of ligaments and tendons. He is highly experienced in different types of joint and soft tissue injections techniques.
He has advocated and supervised the launch of a number of biologic therapies in the UAE for the treatment of different rheumatic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and others.
Dr. Nandu Goswami
Cardiovascular Physiologist
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Prof Nandu Goswami, MD, PhD, is a medical doctor and a cardiovascular physiologist with special interests in spaceflight physiology. He carries out spaceflight physiology research as well as its application on Earth (“Life in Space for Life on Earth”). He examines the parallels between spaceflight and aging and how countermeasures developed in space for astronauts can help older bedrest confined persons on Earth (“Spaceflight meets Geriatrics”).
Dr Goswami is the President of Austrian Physiological Society and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). In addition to being a part of the ESA bedrest expert team and a coordinator of a European Space Agency (ESA) approved Topical Team on thromboembolism, Dr Goswami is a member of the Working Group on Space and Human Health at United Nations Office for Outer Space (UNOOSA).
Dr Goswami has published over 145 papers in the field of cardiovascular system and vascular function assessments in health and diseases.
Prof. Naveed Ahmed Khan
Professor of Applied Medical Microbiology
College of Medicine, University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Naveed Ahmed Khan is Professor of Applied Medical Microbiology at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah. He has vast academic experience of working in leading institutions in North America, Europe and Asia, including Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; University of London, UK; University of Nottingham, UK; Aga Khan University, Pakistan; and Sunway University, Malaysia. With research grants of over $3 million, he has produced more than 280 peer-reviewed publications, 7 books and 7 chapters, and guided over 50 graduate students (including 15 PhD students) to successful completion, and over 100 undergradute research students. In recognition of his research efforts, he has received several awards from the UK, USA, Pakistan and Malaysia. His work on the search for new antibiotics from animals living in polluted environments caught worldwide attention, and has been discussed in peer-reviewed journals and made into documentaries shown on leading news channels. A Google search of “Naveed Khan and Cockroach” yields thousands of web pages.
Dr. Noha Mousaad Elemam
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Sharjah University
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Noha Mousaad Elemam graduated from the German University of Cairo in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and Biotechnology with Highest Honors. She obtained her master’s degree in 2014 with the grade “Excellent” in Molecular Pharmacology. Noha was awarded a full-granted scholarship to finally complete her Ph.D. degree with Distinction in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research at the University of Sharjah, along with a dual Ph.D. degree from University of Lübeck, Germany in 2020. During her Ph.D., Noha joined the Immuno-Oncology group with Prof. Azzam A. Maghazachi, a well-known distinguished immunologist, the rheumatologist Dr. Suad Hannawi as well as Prof. Jennifer Hundt. She focused on assessing the role of NK cells in cancer and autoimmune diseases, with colorectal cancer and rheumatoid arthritis as models. Currently, Noha is a postdoctoral research associate at the Sharjah Institute for Medical Research at the University of Sharjah. She is working in multiple projects in the fields of immunology, breast cancer as well as COVID-19 infection. Noha published more than 35 research and review papers in high impact factor journals and participated in around 15 international conferences with oral and poster presentations. Also, she is a co-inventor in a patent filed in the US patent office as well as being a co-investigator in multiple grants at the University of Sharjah.
Dr. Rajaie Namas
Section Head of Rheumatology
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Rajaie Namas, MD, is the Section Head of Rheumatology at the Medical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Namas served at the University of Michigan as a Clinical Lecturer for two years, and was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. He was then promoted to Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Namas received his medical degree from the University of Tripoli, Libya. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, followed by his residency in Internal Medicine at Hurley Medical Center/Michigan State University in Flint, Michigan, US. Dr. Namas completed his clinical and research fellowship in Rheumatology at the Wayne State University/Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, US.
Dr. Namas is currently active in numerous research projects focused on treatment strategies, measures of outcome, and translational studies of potential laboratory markers of disease activity.
He has multiple publications and awards in the field of Rheumatology, and is a reviewer on multiple peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Namas is a member and fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and American College of Physicians.
Prof. Rajan Radhakrishnan
Professor of Pharmacology
College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Rajan Radhakrishnan is a pharmacologist, and a licensed pharmacist in the USA. He received his academic training in India (BSc and BPharm), United Kingdom (MSc), Singapore (PhD) and USA (postdoc). He has more than 20 years of combined experience in pharmacology teaching, research, and academic administration. Rajan has published 38 peer-reviewed articles and 5 book chapters in his areas of interest. He is one of the editors of Phytotherapy Research (Wiley), Section Editor of Inflammopharmacology (Springer) and Editorial Board Member of Journal of Pain (Elsevier). His major research interest is in pain neurobiology.
Dr. Reem Abdwani
Associate Professor in Molecular, Cellular and Computational Medicine
College of Medicine, University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Reem Abdwani is an associate professor and senior consultant pediatric rheumatologist. She graduated from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman in 1997 and completed her pediatric residency training at McGill University, Montreal, Canada (2000 -2003). She received the American Academy of Pediatric Board Certification (2003) and Royal College of Physician and Surgeons in Canada Specialist Certification in Pediatrics (2004). Thereafter, she has completed her pediatric rheumatology fellowship training from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2004-2006). She received her specialist board certification in pediatric rheumatology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada (2006). In addition, she has been elected as Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH) in recognition of her achievements of high standards in education and training and welfare of children (2011).
She has more than 15 years of clinical experience in pediatric rheumatology. She has vast experience in the treatment of inflammatory conditions in children including Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Juvenile onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Juvenile onset connective tissue diseases, childhood vasculitis , autoinflammatory syndromes and other autoimmune conditions in children. She is passionate about her work and believes in providing the best possible care to patients using innovative evidence-based therapies.
In addition to her clinical work, she is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education by teaching and training in association with SQU and Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB). She has published her research papers in some of the leading international peer-reviewed journals and presented her research work in local and international meetings. She is an invited speaker at many international meetings.
Dr. Reem Al-Jayyousi
Associate Professor
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Reem Al-Jayyousi completed undergraduate and postgraduate training in Medicine and Nephrology in the UK. She holds a PhD from the University of Leicester and was involved in clinical research trials in the field of nephrology, systemic lupus and vasculitis. She held positions in medical education for the last 15 years in undergraduate and postgraduate training. She is a practicing Nephrologist with an special interest in auto-immune disease. She is bilingual (Arabic, English).
Prof. Rifat Hammoudi
Associate Professor in Molecular, Cellular and Computational Medicine
College of Medicine, University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Saadeya Naji
Consultant Rheumatology
Ministry of Health
Manama, Bahrain
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Dr Saadeya Naji Abdulkarim, is the first Bahraini female consultant in Rheumatology in Bahrain. . Currently she is a Consultant in Internal medicine and Rheumatology , Head of Rheumatology unit in MOH .
She is a senior lecturer in RCSI, and part of the Arab board training program in Bahrain. Previously held positions as a member in the mortality &morbidity committee, deputy of the head of accreditation of medical department, a supervisor in TNA ( Training Need Assessment ) committee for internal medical department , FPRP coordinator . Currently a member in the autonomy team selected by the supreme council of health and a reviewer in the Saudi journal .
She is the founder and the president of ABRC (annual Bahrain rheumatology conference), started in 2017. Also actively involved in many conferences in the gulf region as in SSR ( Saudi society of rheumatology conference ), and GCC conference.She has interest in SLE and vasculitis. Has many publications on that regard , last one was published in BSR journal 2019, (Takayasu Arteritis ,presenting as bilateral popliteal artery aneurysm ) She has on -going research work related to rheumatic diseases in Bahrain, (APS among migraine patients, prevalence of sacroilitis among psoriatic patients in Bahrain .etc.)
Dr. Saba Al Heialy
Assistant Professor of Immunology
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Saba Al Heialy obtained her PhD degree in 2013 at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. She trained at the Meakins-Christie laboratory, a leading research center in respiratory medicine under the supervision of Dr. James G. Martin. She was awarded many scholarships throughout her PhD including the James Hogg Award in 2012 for her work on nanotubes in T cells. Currently, her main area of research is the immune responses in asthma and obesity.
Dr. Samah Allam
Specialist Rheumatology
Al Qassimi Hospital
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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A rheumatologist at the MOHAP and a member of MOHAP rheumatology Committee (MRC). Dr. Samah is actively involved in all the rheumatology project of MOHAP. After receiving her M.B.B.S.from Faculty of medicine, – Ain Shams University, Dr. Samah obtained a Master of Rheumatology from Faculty of Medicine,_ Cairo University Graduation with Thesis About: Comparative Study Between Changes Detected By CT scan & That Detected By X-Ray In Hands & Wrists Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients & Scleroderma Patients.
Dr. Samar Al-Emadi
Senior Consultant Rheumatologist
Head of Rheumatology, Hamad Medical Corporation
Doha, Qatar
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Dr. Samar Al-Emadi is a Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, Fellowship Program Director in Rheumatology, and is the Head of Rheumatology Division at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar. She is also an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar and is a faculty member for Clinical Teaching Program in Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and Stanford Faculty Development Center for Clinical Teachers.
Dr. Al-Emadi received her medical degree from the King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, KSA. She had her internship and part of her residency at Hamad General Hospital followed by residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Western in London Ontario, Canada. She then completed her Rheumatology fellowship at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada afterwards completed her fellowship training in pregnancy and rheumatic disease for 6 months with Professor Carl Laskin. She has been certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology from the Royal College of Physician and Surgeon of Canada, and the American board of internal medicine and Rheumatology. In 2005, she was able to establish a pregnancy and rheumatic disease clinic in Hamad General Hospital. She has also completed her Master of Business Administration degree in London Business School.
Currently, Dr. Samar Al-Emadi is a member of multiple corporate committees, member of the Governance and Strategy of Hamad Medical Corporation Research Committee, Hamad Medical Corporation IRB, and Steering Committee for OPD Development. She is also a member of multiple committees locally and regionally, multiple advisory boards.
Dr. Al-Emadi has received multiple research grants one of which is the QNRF Grant to study Genetics of RA in Arab countries, a multinational study. She already has several publication in peer reviewed journals, and is also involved in multiple RCT as a PI and Co-PI.
Dr. Al Emadi is a speaker in multiple local and regional conferences
Dr. Shazia Abdullah
Consultant Rheumatology
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Dr Shazia Abdullah is a UK trained rheumatologist working at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi as a consultant in Rheumatology.
Dr Abdullah underwent her general medical training in UK and completed her MRCP from the Royal College of Physicians of London, UK in 2001. She obtained her CCT in rheumatology in 2009 and then successfully completed a Masters in rheumatology from King’s College, London in 2010 with a distinction/merit. She worked as a consultant in rheumatology in Cambridge for 8 years before relocating to UAE.
As a consultant in rheumatology, she was the chair of the rheumatology service for 3 years and established the early inflammatory arthritis pathway.
She has an ongoing interest in teaching and has received formal training in teaching from the University of Cambridge. She is an Associate Lecturer of the Higher Academy of England and was the lead of undergraduate training programme in medicine. At a post graduate level, she was the training Lead for Musculoskeletal Primary Care physician. She has been an examiner for Cambridge medical school, UK and has been worked in various teaching roles, affiliated with the University of Cambridge.
She is a member of the British Society of Rheumatology and holds a Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians.
Dr Abdullah is an excellent national and international speaker. Her research interests are inflammatory arthritis and she has published in peer reviewed journals.
Dr Abdullah underwent her general medical training in UK and completed her MRCP from the Royal College of Physicians of London, UK in 2001. She obtained her CCT in rheumatology in 2009 and then successfully completed a Masters in rheumatology from King’s College, London in 2010 with a distinction/merit. She worked as a consultant in rheumatology in Cambridge for 8 years before relocating to UAE.
As a consultant in rheumatology, she was the chair of the rheumatology service for 3 years and established the early inflammatory arthritis pathway.
She has an ongoing interest in teaching and has received formal training in teaching from the University of Cambridge. She is an Associate Lecturer of the Higher Academy of England and was the lead of undergraduate training programme in medicine. At a post graduate level, she was the training Lead for Musculoskeletal Primary Care physician. She has been an examiner for Cambridge medical school, UK and has been worked in various teaching roles, affiliated with the University of Cambridge.
She is a member of the British Society of Rheumatology and holds a Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians.
Dr Abdullah is an excellent national and international speaker. Her research interests are inflammatory arthritis and she has published in peer reviewed journals.
Dr. Suad Hannawi
Chairman, GCC AIR
Consultant Rheumatology
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Suad Hannawi, BhSc, MD, MRCP (UK), FRCP (UK), MIPH (AUS), PHD (AUS), a consultant of Rheumatology at the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) of UAE. Chairman of Rheumatology at MOHAP, Deputy Chairman of the Central Research Ethic Committee (REC), and the Chairman of Dubai Health District REC.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science (BhSc), and the Medical Diploma (MD), Dr. Hannawi obtained the fellowship of Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and completed her clinical training of Rheumatology in Australia. Dr. Hannawi proceeded with her academic attainment by obtaining a PhD in Rheumatology.
Her Interest in the Public Health motivated her to proceed with getting a Master of International Public Health from University of Queensland, Australia, with Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement.
Dr. Hannawi has been awarded as best young investigator in Australia “Princess Alexandra” Research Week in 2007 and awarded by the MOHAP for six consecutive years (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 2019, and 2020) for her Scientific Achievements and contributions. In 2017 Dr. Hannawi was chosen as one of the best 5 physicians in the Federal health institutes for the Prime Minister Medal.
Dr. Hannawi has published in number of journals and has presented at different national and international conferences. As well, Dr. Hannawi is a reviewer for many international Rheumatology journals.
Dr. Suleiman Al-Hammadi
Dean of College of Medicine
Mohammed Bin Rashid University Of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Professor Suleiman Al-Hammadi joined MBRU in February 2021, and appointed as a Dean for College of Medicine in March 2021. Prof. Al-Hammadi served the CMHS at UAEU for more than 17 years with different higher administrative responsibilities, Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs, Vice Dean and Acting Dean. Clinically, he established the first of its kind Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service in UAE by starting specialized clinic at Tawam hospital in 2004. He is a well-recognized leader and clinician in his field at international and regional level.
He is involved in Academic Medicine for almost 20 years, taking care of undergraduate medical students and postgraduate pediatric specialty training. He is continuously enhancing Medical Education and involved at its leadership in UAE. He is representing UAE at the Arab Board of Health Specializations, as a member of the Pediatric Executive committee (2014-2018), and advisory Committee to the Secretary General recently.
Prof. Al-Hammadi is an accomplished scholar in his field, published more than 35 original articles in peer-reviewed journals, some of which are novel and unique to the region, in addition to regular participation and presenting at international, regional, and local conferences.
Dr. Tarik Aslam
Consultant Rheumatologist
Al Zahra Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Wafaa Al Suwairi
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Dr. Will Tillet
Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist
National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Bath, United Kingdom
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Dr William Tillett is an honorary consultant rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and senior lecturer in the department of pharmacy and pharmacology at the University of Bath, UK. He graduated from the University of Bristol with a BSc in Anatomical Science before undertaking his medical degree at the same institution. He undertook his doctoral fellowship in outcome measurement in psoriatic arthritis. His current research interests centre on the assessment of psoriatic arthritis (clinical, radiographic and patient reported outcome), early detection of disease and treatment strategies. He was awarded a EULAR Clinical Scientist award in 2015. He sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Rheumatology and the Versus Arthritis Inflammatory Arthritis Research Advisory Group. He is a current Fellow of the Institute for Mathematical Innovation at the University of Bath. He has published more than 180 peer reviewed articles, book chapters or conference proceedings on the assessment and treatment of psoriatic arthritis. He currently co-chairs the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) psoriatic arthritis biologic guideline committee and international psoriatic arthritis Outcome Measurement in Rheumatology (OMERACT) working group. He sits on the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) steering committee and trustee for a number of arthritis charities including the Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD) and the British Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium (BritPACT).