Qatar Biomedical Research Institute’s Dr Abdelali Haoudi delivers keynote addresses at two international biomedical bonferences

Dr Abdelali Haoudi, Executive Director of Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI),delivered keynote addresses at two of the largest biomedical conferences in North America this year.On 21 May, he spoke to the Biomedical Science & Engineering Conference at the Oak Ridge National Labs in Oak Ridge, USA, and on May 26 he addressed the symposium on “Self-assembled Nanomaterials in Nanomedicine” as part of the 96th Canadian Chemistry Conference in Québec City, Canada.

“QBRI is establishing itself on the international stage in the area of biomedical research, and major organisations in the field are taking note,” said Dr Haoudi. “It was an honour to representQatar Foundation at these conferences and to use these opportunities to build collaborative relationships with leading laboratories around the world.”

At both conferences Dr Haoudi shared his views on building successful global collaborative networks to accelerate biomedical innovations. He stated that a key driver for successful collaborations is “focusing first on the what, and then figuring out the how,” a message that was well received by conference attendees. In addition, many attendees were intrigued to learn about the biomedical research initiatives taking place at QBRI as part of the Qatar National Research Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.

A proud member of Qatar Foundation, QBRI was established to tackle diseases prevalent in Qatar and the Middle East with a focus on developing translational biomedical research and biotechnology. To fulfil its mission, QBRI is setting up cutting-edge research centresin genomic medicine, stem cells and regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and biomedical engineering. The institute also collaborates with national stakeholders and international partners to create a biomedical research network of scientific excellence.

The Biomedical Science and Engineering Center (BSEC) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) was established in 2003 as an umbrella organisation to provide a platform for biomedical translation of ORNL scientific and technical innovations. The centre started as a joint effort among three ORNL divisions: Computational Sciences and Engineering, Measurement Science and Engineering, and Biosciences. To date, over 40 researchers from all ORNL directorates are affiliated with BSEC, engaging in biomedical, epidemiological, clinical, behavioural, and translational research.

The Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) is the national, not-for-profit, umbrella organisation that encompasses the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC), the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) and the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology (CSCT). It is governed and funded by its membership.