Prof. Abiola Senok
Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine & Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
MEET THE SPEAKERS

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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 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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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. Amel Al Ginawi
Consultant Rheumatologist
Mediclinic City Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Amna Almuhairi
Rheumatology Fellow
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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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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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. Beena Hamid
Consultant Rheumatology
King’s College Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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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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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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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 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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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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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. Gamal Hamed Ibrahim
Consultant Rheumatologist
Dr Sulaiman Al Habib hospital, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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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 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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Dr. Hani Sabbour
Consultant, Cardiology
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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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. 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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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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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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Prof. Lakshmanan Jeyaseelan
Professor
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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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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Prof. Karl Gaffney
Honorary Professor
Norwich Medical School
Norwich, United Kingdom
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Dr. Khalid Alnaqbi
Consultant & Cheif of Rheumatology and Immunology
Tawam Hospital
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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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. Mahmood Hachim
Associate Professor
College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Prof. Marco Matucci Cerinic
Professor, Rheumatology
University of Florence
Florence, Italy
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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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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 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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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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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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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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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. Noha Mousaad Elemam
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Sharjah University
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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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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Dr. Reem Abdwani
Associate Professor, Senior consultant, Pediatric Rheumatology
Sultan Qaboos University
Muscat, Oman
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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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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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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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Dr. Samah Allam
Specialist Rheumatology
Al Qassimi Hospital
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Samar Al-Emadi
Senior Consultant Rheumatologist
Head of Rheumatology, Hamad Medical Corporation
Doha, Qatar
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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 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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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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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