Women in Science | Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

Ananke C elebrat ing W omen in Science | M EN A in Focus

Equit y, Diver sit y, Inclusion

In this special edition celebrating Women in Science Day, Ananke is proud to showcase female role models from across the MENA region in the STEM fields, who discuss not just their dreams and ambitions, but also shed light on the importance of inclusive conversations, equity and diversity.

Ananke Content curated by Sabin Muzaffar media@anankemag.com @anankemag Anankemag

Celebrat ing Women in Science Across t he MENA For t he f irst t im e in t he program?s hist ory, a Cerem ony, hel d at Expo 2020 Dubai, brought t oget her 14 w om en f rom t he MENA region t o honor t heir rem arkabl e discoveries in Science, Technol ogy, Engineering and Mat hem at ics (STEM)

To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11th, taking place at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Fondation L?Oréal and UNESCO hosted the firstFor Women in ScienceYoung Talents Awards Ceremony for MENA. The event took place in the Dubai Exhibition Center at Expo 2020 Dubai to honor and recognize 14 Arab female scientists from the MENA region for their groundbreaking research in the fields ofLife and Environmental sciences, Physical sciences, Mathematics and Computer sciences. This program is part of the L?Oréal-UNESCO?s globalFor Women in Scienceinitiative that has recognized over 3,900 phenomenal researchers and 122 Laureates from more than 110 countries and regions since its inception in 1998.

The Ceremony awarded a total of 14

Young Talents ? five from various countries in the GCC, three from Egypt and six from Levant ? in the PhD students and post-doctorate researchers categories,underscoring their role in solving today?s challenges as well as inspiring the future generation of females.

Since its inception in the region in 2010, theL?Oréal-UNESCOFor Women in ScienceYoung Talents program has awarded more than 160 female scientists and 11 Laureates from MENA. Among them, 16 Arab female scientists have also won an additional international recognition through the International Rising Talent program.

The event also welcomed a group of esteemed panelists to discuss how Arab Women scientists are breaking through barriers and inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers. The panelists included H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, the

Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency(IRENA), Dr. Anna Paolini, Director of UNESCO Office in Doha and Representative for the Gulf and Yemen, and Rana El Chemaitelly, the Founder and CEO of ?The Little Engineer?.The panel was moderated by Alexandra Palt, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO of the Fondation L?Oréal.

Based on the conviction that the world needs science and science needs women, the Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO are committed to the promotion of women in science to make them more visible, to make their talent known and to inspire careers for future generations.

According to the latest UNESCO Science Report published in June 2021, although the number of women in scientific careers is increasing, reaching just over 33% of researchers worldwide, this evolution is still too slow.

In the various MENA countries, while gender parity is almost reached at the PhD level or at the start of a scientific career, there are still strong disparities to be observed depending on the countries and the disciplines. The glass ceiling remains a reality in research: the number of female researchers decreases as they access higher levels in their careers due to tremendous obstacles and barriers. ?L?Oréal and UNESCO have been a great advocates for the contributions women are making to the STEM sector,? said H.E. Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri. ?By recognizing and rewarding the vital role female scientists play in advancing knowledge in so many fields, they are not only inspiring new generations of young women to pursue careers in science and research but fostering a more inclusive, more representative scientific community.?

Her Excellency added: ?The 14 exceptional scientists being honored at this year?s event, the first to be held in our region, are

drawn from a wide array of disciplines, from life and environmental sciences to mathematics and computer sciences. This is a reflection of both the breadth of talent in the Middle East and the increasing opportunities for women here to apply it.

As we move to a knowledge-based economy, a world where science and technology are increasingly front and center, it is essential the whole of humanity is able to play a role in shaping it.? ?At the Fondation L?Oréal, we are committed to doing our part in creating an equal opportunity environment that enables everyone to reach their full potential?, adds Alexandra Palt,Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO of the Fondation L?Oréal?Women have shown more than ever that they are necessary in every possible field of research. Their contribution to science is vital as we thrive to build a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive world.

But too often, their roles are being limited by gender biases and other obstacles.

Through the L?Oréal-UNESCOFor Women in ScienceProgram, we aim to improve the representation of women in STEM, to drive global impact by empowering more female scientists to achieve excellence at different stages of their careers and to encourage their participation in solving the great challenges of our time for the benefit of all.?

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology said: ?We are honored to partner with the L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science in the Middle East for the third consecutive year to shed light on the achievements of these extraordinary women in science. We were also extremely thrilled that the MENA ceremony was hosted at Expo 2020 in the UAE. Educational institutions have a crucial role to play in promoting gender equality

and female participation in STEM fields, and as a research-intensive academic institution that believes in the empowerment of women across all areas, Khalifa University of Science and Technology is proud to underscore its support for this important movement. We would like to extend our warm congratulations to the winners of 2021, and we look forward to recognizing many more Arab female scientists in the future.?

About the 2021 MENA Young Talents: PhD students: ·Arij Yehya (Qatar): For her research on identifying factors that drive the widening of the gender gap in personality traits to further evaluate current and future gender policies. ·Halima Alnaqbi (UAE): For her research on enhancing the existing organ transplantation system to include Arab ethnic groups. ·Rachel Njeim (Lebanon): For her research on the contribution of NETosis to the pathogenesis of Diabetic Kidney Disease. ·Sama Hassan Ali Rahmatullah (Iraq): For her research on anti-pollution caused by genetic variation of plants associated with soil contaminated of petroleum hydrocarbons. ·Sarah Abdelkader (Egypt): For her research on on-site sustainable treatment methods for agricultural wastewater treatment to be reused in irrigation.

Post-doctorate researchers: ·Dr. Ghada Dushaq (UAE): For her research on discovering novel materials and structures across photonics to enhance the speed, capacity and accuracy of conventional technologies. ·Dr. Hend Alqaderi (Kuwait): For her research on the use of oral fluids as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early diagnosis and disease management of COVID-19 and other inflammatory

H.E. Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri

diseases. ·Dr. Nura Adam Mohamed (Qatar): For her research on developing nonconventional, novel therapeutic tools to prevent the development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. ·Dr. Ingy Ibrahim Abdallah (Egypt): For her research on overcoming receptor mutations in cancer targeted therapy. ·Dr. Irene Samy Fahim Gabriel (Egypt): For her research on manufacturing of Sugarcane Bagasse-Based tableware in Egypt. ·Dr. Heba Alzaben (Jordan): For her research on the use of thermal remote sensing to monitor ecosystem health. ·Dr. Hiba N. Rajha (Lebanon): For her research on food waste valorization through incorporation and nanoencapsulation of grape skin polyphenols in various cosmetic products.

Alexandra Palt,Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO of the Fondation L?Oréal

·Dr. Nirmeen Elmadany (Palestine): For her research on targeting immunosuppressive proteins in Glioblastoma Microenvironment for a better tumor response to immunotherapy. ·Dr. Waad Saftly (Syria): For her research on galaxy evolution through the history of the universe.

Dr. Hend Alqader i

Improving Public Health Dr. Hend Alqaderi, from Kuwait, has been recognised for her research on the use of oral fluids as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early diagnosis and disease management of COVID-19 and other inflammatory diseases.

Tel l us about yoursel f and your educat ional journey?

After studying dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry in Alexandria, Egypt, I began my career as a dentist at the Kuwait School Oral Health Program. I was rapidly promoted to Clinical Supervisor and then to the Head of a Dental Center where I was in charge of delivering dental care to thousands of children. Being the Head of the Dental Clinic Centre meant that my responsibilities extended to introducing new strategies and evaluation of services by looking at the population level rather than treating individual patients and oral cavity, this inspired me to pursue my post graduate study in research and public health to improve the quality of lives in my society.Today, I have a Doctoral Degree of Medical Science and a Certificate in Public Health from Harvard University, and I am a Diplomate of the

American Board of Dental Public Health. Additionally, I have a certificate in Health Economics and Outcomes Research from the University of Washington. Pleased to be recognized by the esteemed Harvard faculty members for my outstanding contributions to multiple research projects, I gladly stayed on as a lecturer and a faculty member following graduation in 2016 and until today. I am also a research associate at Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

W hen I left my home country of Kuwait to pursue my Doctoral degree at Harvard, my goal was to get the degree and return to my country to share my knowledge and improve public health in my community. However, my plan changed when I entered the world of Harvard. I was inspired by the passionate scientists who work day and night to achieve their dreams of researching new discoveries that change the world on a big scale. And as a woman from the Middle East, I wanted to prove to myself and to others that I am capable of accomplishing great things, too. Moreover, I've been warned that married women with children cannot build productive and successful careers. I want to

prove those people wrong and show everyone that any woman can achieve her goals and become successful in her field, even if she has a family.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research?

My research focus has been on understanding the role of oral biomarkers in diagnosing and predicting diseases.I am currently leading a large COVID-19 cohort study to assess the changes in oral bacteria and oral immune

response to COVID-19 infection in people with mild cases of COVID-19 compared to those who developed severe cases of the disease.

Identifying host?viral?bacterial interaction in the oral cavity during the course of COVID-19 infection may help uncover new strategies for identifying at-risk individuals.Thisresearch will further our understanding of the oral bacteria that could potentially explain the immune response and allow us to generate a ?frontline? defense against infection and suppress the progression of the clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

study risk factors of obesity and diabetes. The salivary biomarkers we identified, and lifestyle and demographic information allowed us to predict diabetes and obesity outcomes and make recommendations for lifestyle and system changes to health care providers and those involved in public health policy matters to reduce diabetes amongst children.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

I believe that the current research infrastructure in the Middle East is still emerging, and the field is full of challenges and hurdles that make it unattractive to both young female and male researchers.In order to make the scientific system and landscape more attractive, there must be significant changes, such as more funding and capacity-building programs.

Both governments and corporations can and should make these changes a reality.

I believe that advancing the science of using saliva to predict the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, diabetes, and other chronic diseases can lead to an early, easy screening system that will allow for early diagnosis and disease management of COVID-19 and other diseases.

My research on understanding the role oral biomarkers in diagnosing chronic diseases has already positively impacted the lives of thousands of people in the Middle East. In 2012, I was part of one of the largest longitudinal studies in the Middle East, where we collected data from over 8,000 Kuwaiti children to

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

Governments can lead the way by updating their strategic plans to establish a scientific research infrastructure. In those plans, they should focus on the training and development of

female youth and provide opportunities to vulnerable women.

Private companies can provide grant opportunities and awards to junior researchers to help them become leaders in their fields and accomplish high-caliber research. Companies like L'Oréal is taking the lead in setting scientists up for success, and other organizations should follow suit in establishing supportive networks and solid strategies for researchers in the Middle East.

W ith more opportunities and support to young researchers, we will see more and more of them becoming actively engaged in impactful areas of society and science.

As a result, we will see positive societal changes and scientific advancements for the betterment of all people.

Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

I?ve been exposed to the scientific world in both the Arab world and Western society through my work.

Even though unconscious gender biases exist in both societies, Arabs are hesitant to talk about it. By contrast, the West acknowledges its existence, and I believe talking about it is the way to mitigate the issue.

Established policies protect women from various forms of discrimination or academic and sexual harassment in the US. For instance, my workplace in the U.S requires special training and continuous education annually in discrimination and gender equality.

These training programs and policies are lacking in the Middle East. To overcome gender bias in science in the Arab world and build a more inclusive space for female researchers, we must first be aware of the problem and be willing to talk about it.

Workplaces should provide training to enhance our awareness of unconscious biases and ways to overcome them. Governments should implement policies and strategies to promote inclusion and support and protect women in the scientific community.

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

I strongly believe that engaging women in science is crucial, as women can bring unique perspectives to

research and scientific conversations. Some public health and medical issues affect women more than men, so women have a distinctive motivation to research these issues and are well-positioned to find solutions.

Having more women in scientific research can bring diversity and make research more effective and accurate, impacting both men and women.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

The biggest challenge in my scientific career has been the limited funding available to junior researchers. I feel that I could have accomplished more than what I did and faster if I had secured funding for my research. The research infrastructure in the Middle East is emerging, and funding is limited compared to the advanced countries.

For example, Kuwait?s Research and Development expenditure is 0.06 percent of GDP. By contrast, the expenditure for Research and Development in Sweden is 3.3 percent of GDP, which has contributed significantly to improving the quality of life within the society.

W hen I started my career in science, funding agencies were hesitant to fund a junior Arab woman researcher like me. I had to join other international senior

The biggest challenge in my scientific career has been the limited funding available to junior researchers. I feel that I could have accomplished more than what I did and faster if I had secured funding for my research.

researchers in their funded research to accomplish my research goals and build my independence.

I finally received my first funding a few years ago, which opened doors to progress and improve as an independent researcher.

I eventually published my research in reputable scientific journals, connected with key researchers, and shared my research in national and international conferences.

Recently, I was honored to receive the L'Oréal award, which is an important milestone for me and will help me grow and thrive as a woman in science in the Middle East.

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones?

At a certain point in my career in Kuwait, I felt that I needed a new challenge. I wanted to push myself past my comfort zone and enter the field of scientific research. I decided to apply to the doctorate program at Harvard University to make this big career change. W hile I realized that getting into Harvard would be very competitive and I would have a very low chance to be accepted, I worked for an entire year to prepare my application. I put all my efforts and energy into building a strong CV that would make me a strong candidate. And then my life changed completely when I got accepted!

Being accepted to the doctorate program and working alongside some of the most successful researchers in the world have been some of the most memorable milestones in my entire life.

You have been recognized by t he prest igious L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East ,How do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

I feel more determined and sense a greater amount of

responsibility on my shoulders.W inning this award will open doors for me and not only as financial support for my research. This award willprovide a high level of endorsement that will help me highlight my research findings in the media and collaborate with colleagues in the field around the world. I want to show researchers at the global level that women in the Middle East can

conduct high-caliber research and achieve great things, and L'Oréal will deliver this message. I am grateful for opportunities like this one to use my voice to encourage up-and-coming scientists about the importance of science and give them motivation and strategies to become successful.

Any last words?

I would like to deliver a message to women who are passionate about scientific research that despite the challenges, you can lead a meaningful life through a career in science, by working hard, setting priorities, and taking advantage of opportunities, you can make a real impact in the scientific community.There is no straight path to becoming a successful researcher, but when you make it, the rewards are huge. Women junior researchers can achieve success by finding the right mentors and a prosperous environment to grow and thrive. If you do this, you can build a thriving career and make a real impact in the scientific community.

I?d like to also say that supporting and engaging up-and-coming junior researchers has been one of my career goals. In my research projects, I have proactively sought out opportunities to include up-and-coming young researchers. Furthermore, I have been actively involved in teaching and supervising graduate students since I joined the Harvard.

Ge n e r a t i n g U n i q u e So l u t i o n s t o I m p r o v e Qu a l it y o f Lif e

Dr. Gh ada Dush aq Dr. Ghada Dushaq, f rom t he UAE, has been recognisedfor her research on discovering novel m at erial s and st ruct ures across phot onics t o enhance t he speed, capacit y and accuracy of convent ional t echnol ogies.

Bel iev e in y o u r sel f , f o l l o w y o u r pa ssio n , su r r o u n d y o u r sel f w it h po sit iv e peo pl e a n d t r y t o a v o id d o w n er s.

Yo u w o r k bec a u se y o u w a n t t o d o t h e best y o u c a n d o .

Tell us about yourself educat ional journey?

and

your

apart to figure out how it worked. Thus, I was drawn to science at a young age and I I am a technologist and post-doctoral always enjoyed it in school. I remember how associate at New York University-UAE. I have much excitement and joy I got when we a PhD in microsystem engineering from were doing experiments in the school labs.

Masdar Institute for Science and Additionally, my curiosity was fostered by Technology, Abu Dhabi, a Master?s in Solid my parents, siblings and effective mentoring State Physics from the University of Jordan, and encouragement from my teachers from and a Bachelor?s in Physics with a Minor in elementary to graduate school.

Mathematics from Birzeit University in W hat is t he scope of your scient ific Ramallah, Palestine. research/ focus?

W ho and/ or w hat were your early My research field is in photonics and influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his optoelectronics (Electrical engineering/ pat h in STEM fields?

Applied Physics).

Growing up, I always had instinctive curiosity about almost everything in life. For instance, when I was 5 years old if there was a remote control on the coffee table, I would tear it

In particular, I focus on new and innovative materials in both inorganic and organic materials, nano-material structures, silicon photonics and novel photonic devices for

Tell us about yourself educat ional journey?

and

your

I am a technologist and post-doctoral associate at New York University-UAE. I have a PhD in microsystem engineering from Masdar Institute for Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, a Master?s in Solid State Physics from the University of Jordan, and a Bachelor?s in Physics with a Minor in Mathematics from Birzeit University in Ramallah, Palestine.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

Growing up, I always had instinctive curiosity about almost everything in life. For instance, when I was 5 years old if there was a remote control on the coffee table, I would tear it apart to figure out how it worked. Thus, I was drawn to science at a young age and I always enjoyed it in school. I remember how much excitement and joy I got when we were doing experiments in the school labs.

Additionally, my curiosity was fostered by my parents, siblings and effective mentoring and encouragement from my teachers from elementary to graduate school.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research/ focus?

My research field is in photonics and optoelectronics (Electrical engineering/ Applied Physics).

In particular, I focus on new and innovative materials in both inorganic and organic materials, nano-material structures, silicon photonics and novel photonic devices for various applications in the next generation of high speed optical communication, computing and sensing.

Through my research, I devised a method to integrate novel germanium based 2D materials on silicon photonic platforms for short and long reach high-speed optical

communication. This will limit electrical resistance within computers, increasing the operation speed, lowering energy costs, and increasing the distance information can be sent without data loss.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

As a photonic researcher, I aim to generate a unique solution where today's conventional technologies are approaching their limits in terms of speed, capacity and accuracy. This will increase the life quality and make our world a better place to live in.Furthermore, I would like to be involved in advanced research in photonics that can revolutionize other sectors such as health, space, mobility and security.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

I would like to thank the UAE leadership, and government for its support and efforts in empowering women with knowledge and education, encouraging them to play an integral role in the development, driving the prosperity forward to the next 50 years.

The current statistics hold great promise for woman in the UAE to play a key role in the domains of education, health, labor market, and investments.

Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

I think there are promising signs of change in the number of girls who opt for Science

in the Middle East, yet, there is still a long way to go to achieve gender equity with low number of women scientists in leadership roles, especially compared to their ability, flexibility and openness to new ideas.

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

I believe science is a collaborative enterprise, thus, scientists with diverse experiences and areas of expertise tend to be more creative and innovative.

Additionally, asking questions drives science forward, and scientists with different perspectives often ask different questions.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

I lost my dad when I was ten years old and my mom is ahousewife, so I had to be on the honor list in all my undergrad years to be able to secure ascholarship. However, the endless emotional support Igotfrom my mother and mysiblings was divine, they had great belief in my capabilities and they knew I will have a successful future.

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones?

W hen I got 2021 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in Physical Sciences and recently the prestigious L?Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East.

Additionally, research that we managed to publish in high impact journals.

Indeed, you have been recognized by t he prest igiousL?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East ,How do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

I am extremely honored to be receiving the prestigious 2021 L'Oréal-UNESCO For

Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents award. It is truly rewarding to feel that all the hard work, dedication and devotion to my research has really paid off.

Also, it motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my academic and professional pursuits and encourage young girls in advancement of their career.

Any last words?

I would like to give a piece of advice to aspiring girls who opt to study science.

Believe in yourself, follow your passion, surround yourself with positive people and try to avoid downers. You work because you want to do the best you can do. If you work just to please people, there are reactions you cannot control, and that?s it, you?re already disappointed. Focus on what you can do and there is plenty of room for you to join us.

Enabl i ng Sustai nabi l i ty

D r . I r e n e Sa m y F a h i m Ga b r i e l , from Egypt , has been lauded for her research on manufact uring of Sugarcane Bagasse-Based Tableware in Egypt .

Tell us about yourself educat ional journey?

and

your

I am an Associate Professor in the Industrial Engineering and Service Management department. I am also the leader for the industrial and manufacturing track in the Smart Engineering systems research center, Nile University.

W hen I was younger, I always loved a challenge academically and non-academically. I used to compete with all my best friends at school to see who would get the highest grades and these are some of my closest friends now. My favorite subjects at school were Math and Science and that led to an interest and passion in Engineering which I continued to pursue in my Bachelor, Masters and PHD. W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

I grew up surrounded by engineers: my parents, my older brothers, and my grandpa, they were my inspiration to become an engineer. Through the years, I realized I love mentoring and supporting others so that led to my passion in teaching. I wanted to be different by using creativity rather than ready-made knowledge in my teaching because this is what helped me grow and become a scientist.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research?

W hen I was an undergrad, one of my professors in AUC (American University in Cairo) who I idolized taught me about the importance of environmental damage and that led me to focus on sustainable and circular economic projects in my research. This was the start of creating new environmentally friendly products.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to

achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

I want to bring awareness to the issues that are happening all around us and how we must take action.

I used only three types of waste in the past (shrimp peels, sugarcane waste as well as fruit and vegetable peels) to produce sustainable biodegradable products. Using these three waste products I created sustainable tableware, paint that prohibits corrosion and thermal insulators. All these were pigmented naturally. For example, I used watermelon peels to create the paint that prohibits corrosion, and the green color was very defiant.

The main point for doing all this is because I want to promote the idea of valorization of waste.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in

t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

There should be some changes in the curricula and the teaching methods for undergraduate and postgraduate women students. Project based learning enables women to develop their interest in STEM, and understanding of, the living, material and physical world and develop the skills of collaboration, research, critical enquiry, experimentation, exploration, and discovery. Another technique that should be adopted to attract more women is the flipped classroom model.

In traditional learning, lower level of learning such as remembering and understanding is happening in class, while students are usually left to work on activities that involve higher level of learning outside of classroom. However, in the flipped classroom model, learning is flipped. Students can finish the lower level of cognitive work before class. And when they come to class, they can engage in higher cognitive levels of learning with peers and teachers present.

Scientific progress relies on problem solving and collaboration. Classes composed of people with diverse experiences and areas of expertise tend to be more creative and innovative.

Greater diversity brings a range of perspectives to the table, and with an expanded number of outlooks comes an increase in the likelihood of innovation, growth and subsequent financial success

Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies?

Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

My most memorable milestones are being able to earn my PHD degree with my kids in the audience cheering me on, getting a prize from the Egyptian President in 2017 and gaining a women encouragement state award.

Gender equality can often be achieved just by holding everyone to the same standard. The problem is the irrational gender bias that women and girls are routinely subjected to. Equal rights are not enough. Inequality exists in our minds, in our biases and prejudices, and that remains to be fixed.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

My biggest challenge by far was being a single mother of two children and being eager to achieve. I had to spend long hours studying for my PHD while maintaining my kids? schedules and spending time with them. I am so proud of how I successfully overcame this challenge, which led to me to where I am today.

W hat are some of memorable milestones?

your

most

You have been recognized by t he prest igiousL?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East ,How do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

I felt very excited since this was my fifth time to apply for this award. I am sure now that persistence and hard work pays off

Dr. Nir meen Elmadany

Def y ing Od d s t o Chal l enge

Cancer Dr. Nirm een El m adany from Palestine in Egypt, has been recognised for her research on targeting immunosuppressive proteins in Glioblastoma Microenvironment for a better tumor response to immunotherapy.

Tell us about yourself educat ional journey?

and

your

I?m Dr. Nirmeen Elmadany, I was born in Cairo and moved with my family to Gaza where I completed a Bachelor?s degree in Pharmacy. I have been recognized as the top student at the faculty of Pharmacy in Al-Azhar University for five years in a row and graduated eventually as the top graduate; graded 92.88% ?Excellent with First Honor Degree?. This was the reason, I was assigned as a teaching assistant at the faculty before receiving the Prime Minister award for the best graduate.

Following my dream to be a scientist, I applied and earned the German Academic Exchange Scholarship (DAAD) to complete my Master?s degree in Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Jordan. For my thesis, I was awarded Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) research grant tooptimizemeasuringtheproliferation of cancer cells using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Microspectroscopyat SESAME Synchrotron in Jordan.

As a follow up study, I continued my research at BESSY Synchrotron in Berlin-Germany; funded by DAAD, and ELETTRA Synchrotron in Trieste-Italy; funded by ICTP. This work led to my very first first-author article. Next, I was awarded DAAD scholarship and completed a doctorate degree at Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin in Berlin-Germany; evaluated Summa Cum Laude (outstanding) on defense, Magna Cum Laude (very good) on a cumulative dissertation of three scientific articles. In my doctoral thesis, I elucidated novel mechanisms to modulate brain-resident immune cells; microglia.

By the investigated mechanisms, microglial functional phenotypes could be switched from less-active immunosuppressed microglia

into immune-active ones to better recognize and destroy pathogens, foreign bodies and tumor cells within the brain.

Beside my doctorate work, my interest in the field of tumor biology and therapeutics encouraged me to enroll in a postgraduate educational program at Harvard Medical School (HMS) for one year (entitled: Cancer Biology and Therapeutics: High Impact Cancer Research), parallel to my doctorate work.

This program helped me to update my knowledge, and strengthen my research skills and critical thinking on the molecular and clinical levels. This program was funded by the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA). Currently, I?m a Postdoc in the Platten lab at German Cancer Research Center.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

During my hospital rotation as a Clinical Pharmacist, I used to see cancer patients suffering not only from cancer itself but also the side effects from the Chemotherapy. Some were really young and they couldn?t make it further and were beaten by the tumor/ chemo side effects.

This inspires me to become a scientist to better understand the disease and contribute to the drug discovery; particularly tumor immunotherapy including tumor vaccines.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research?

I?m working on the most aggressive and common primary brain tumor; Glioblastoma (GBM), accounting for ~48 percent of all CNS tumors with a median survival of 15 months.Despite the advances in immunotherapy and the promising data from cancer clinical trials, poor response has been demonstrated in glioblastoma. The immunosuppressive nature of GBM hinders any significant

response. I?m particularly targeting an immunosuppressive protein in GBM microenvironment which contributes to the reprogramming of active immune cells into inactive phenotypes. Furthermore, the mentioned protein suppresses the infiltration of the active circulating immune cells through the blood brain barrier.

Hence, by preventing the expression of this protein better GBM response to immunotherapy could be achieved.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

I aim at finding immunotherapeutic strategies to improve patient response to immunotherapy; including vaccines.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

Fortunately, the scientific system has become more inclusive. Nowadays, several grants are available exclusively for

women. However, having more flexible work conditions would attract female scientists. I mean by flexible here, allowing work-life balance. Hence, women could give the needed care of her family and contributing to science at the same time.

Moreover, I think replacing the fixed-term contracts with permanent/ long-term ones would confer job security and attract female scientists more.

Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

I believe that gender bias does exist in the Arab world. Culture-wise, it has always been considered that women are more family-oriented. Therefore, men are defined by default as better candidates for a job. Moreover, many Arab families still believe that a women?s education is not important compared to having a family. I think shedding light on role models of successful scientists will change this concept gradually within the Arab society.

After working at Arabic and western research institutes, I can see a clear gap regarding the gender bias. For example, here in Germany there?s parental leave available for both fathers and mothers, therefore the employer wouldn?t feel that female workers are less available than males. Furthermore, in most of the jab vacancies in Europe, you can clearly see the sentence ?The institute is committed to increase the proportion of women in all areas and positions in which women are underrepresented.

Qualified female applicants are therefore particularly encouraged to apply?

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

for me. I feel that my tough journey in academia has been recognized and that I still have a role to fill in science.

Having two brains thinking is always better than having one. Women are half of the societies and having them included in science will reinforce the innovation in science.

I believe that paying more attention from the governments in the Arab world towards women in science is really needed.In terms of funding more projects and recognizing the achievements of female scientists. For example, I think social-media influencers and celebrities are more appreciated in the Arab world.

W hereas female scientists -with all the culture pressure and the gender bias they are facing in our societies- are still less appreciated and less recognized. Even though they are true influencers with great inspiring stories behind.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

First thing jumped to my head is Gaza blockade. I couldn?t see my family for nine years due to the siege. I needed them a lot to support me emotionally during my journey and to applause for me success.

Sadly, as a Palestinian from Gaza I could have neither. At second, since the nature of science implies moving into different countries and several cultures, I found it difficult to integrate in some societies; especially as a hijabi scientist. Throughout the journey, I learned to read about each country I am travelling into in advance to have culture competence.

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones?

Our graduation at Harvard, I was honored for being one of the top graduates in presence of one of the 2019 Nobel Laureate Prof. W illiam G. Kaelin. I was standing there; wearing my hijab and my Palestinian traditional outfit, very happy, proud and speechless. As a reward, I was given a signed book ?The Biology of Cancer? by the author Prof. Robert Weinberg; a lead scientist in the field.

You have been recognized by t he prest igiousL?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East ,How do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

I?m very excited to be part of the L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science family. It?s a great opportunity and honour

Any last words?

Tell us about yourself educat ional journey?

and

your

W hen I want to introduce myself, I think of more than one identity. I am an Iraqi woman, biologist , researcher, and a PhD student.

Women everywhere may be captive to many obstacles, impossible is just a word. I felt myself in the same place. Years of my life passed and I was in the same place.

Here I knew that change was necessary. I learned that difficulties turn into pleasure and pleasure turns into achievement. I increased my reading in order to increase my scientific output.After entering the College of Science and graduating with a Bachelor?s degree, I realized at the time that I had a passion for science; for all life is based on science. And, the more we read, the more we learned, science does not conflict with entertainment, but the two can be combined together. This stage increased my love, passion and greed to dive into the sea of ??sciences while studying for a Ph.D. W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his

Sama Hassan Ali Rahmat ullah

In it ia t in g Im p a c t Or g a n ic a l l y

pat h in STEM fields?

Since I was young, I had a passion for the medical field, and after entering the Faculty of Science, I became interested in nature and treating its problems Each science is a vast subject in itself. The levels of pollution and the environment are linked to all parts of science, due to the increase in quality-of-life standards and awareness of environmental issues.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research/ focus?

My research focuses on developing a new technique for anti-pollution for the purpose of knowing the gradients of the transmission of petroleum oil and its various derivatives and residues in the environment, especially polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as the treatment of polluted sites have become a priority for the community due to the increase in quality-of-life standards and awareness of environmental issues.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

I hope to have an effective and positive impact on society and to be a successful role model for Arab women who strive to realize their dreams and to be the best example for my country.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be - more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

The scientific system needs to take care of the researcher woman, give them their dur recognition and respect. Women by nature love beauty. Beautiful nature increases the

My most memorable moments include getting accepted for my doctorate and my study of natural sciences. I felt that I was on the right path to science and learning.

You have been recognized prest igious L?Oréal-UNESCO For in Science Middle East , How do about it , t he fact t hat your work recognized and celebrated?

by t he Women you feel is being

I am grateful to L?Oreal-UNESCO for encouraging us and supporting our mission in advocating for female scientists. It is important to develop my scientific expertise.

I am eager to learn and this scholarship is prestigious in

Sam a Hassan Al i Rahm at ul l ah, f rom Iraq, has been recognized for her research on ant i-pol l ut ion caused by genet ic variat ion of pl ant s associat ed w it h soil cont am inat ed of pet rol eum hydrocarbons. chances of her creativity.

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

It gives self-confidence and women discover their personality through diversity.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

There are many challenges faced by Arab women in general, and researchers in particular, such as the lack of adequate environment for them, the lack of resources and moral support.

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones?

the Arab world. I am really fortunate to have this opportunity.

11.Any last words?

In the end I would like to thank L?Oréal-UNESCO and all the organizers for this program and thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify my thoughts and research Congratulations to all the winners and good luck to all the researchers. I hope everyone takes this opportunity.

Pr o g r e s s i n g T o w a r d s Ta r g et ed Th er a peu t ic s

Dr. Nura Adam Mohamed

Dr. Nura Adam Mohamed, hailing from Qatar, is celebratedfor her research on developing nonconventional, novel therapeutic tools to prevent the development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases

Tell us about yourself and your educat ional journey?

My name is Dr.Nura Adam Mohamed; I am a Research Associate at the Biomedical Research Center (BRC) at Qatar University, and have an Honorary Research Associate position at Imperial College of London. In addition, I am a member of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS), the BPS Advisory Group, the BPS meeting committee and will be representing the BPS in the World Congress of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology-2023.

Moreover, I am a participating teacher in the NHLI GDS MSc teaching courses at Imperial College of London. In terms of my education, I obtained my BSc degree from Qatar University then got my Master and PhD degrees from Imperial College of London.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

My very first influencer was my high school Biology teacher who used to give me research-based tasks to do. She motivated me in choosing a research-based career.

After joining Qatar University to do my BSc, I got to know many female

scientists and principal investigators who taught me and helped me be the researcher I am today. For that, reason I believe that female empowerment should start at very early stages as early as primary schools, and by hosting public engagements and welcoming young girls to open research days and later to volunteer in the research field, we can expose them at early stages to this field. This will help build their research and academic personality, improve their independency thereby preparing a strong and experienced generation.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research?

I am interested in the

nanomedicine field, a promising area that is attracting national and international interests, especially as the world is moving towards developing targeted therapeutics, and personalized medicine.

Since then I focused on nanoparticles that have cardio-protective effects to be used as an advanced treatment methods for cardiovascular diseases/ complications associated with diabetes.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic metabolic disorders in Qatar, the Gulf region and the world, and cardiovascular complications are the most common complications of diabetes.

Studies have shown that uncontrolled and persistent metabolic abnormalities caused by diabetes leads to many damages to large and small blood vessels eventually causing many cardiovascular diseases.

This shows the importance of developing non-traditional therapeutic tools.

Therefore, my research focuses on developing nano-formulations and using them as drug carriers that in addition to transporting diabetes drugs have properties that enable them to reduce cardiovascular complications.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

During my research journey, I became interested in the nanomedicine field, especially the idea of using biological and synthetic materials as carriers for drugs and detection agents.

Materializing pharmaceutical agents can give them many attractive properties and help guiding the drugs to the affected sites only avoiding unwanted side-effects and achieving targeted drug delivery which is the magic bullet we are trying to put our hands on. In my opinion, the most interesting thing in my research is the ability of transferring skills learned in the nanomedicine field, and the materials developed to benefit other research and diseases areas. For example, a nanomaterial that is not suitable for one disease area, organ, tissue or cells can be extremely valuable and usable in others.

In addition, materials can be tailored and bio-engineered to have the desired properties we want. This will help us overcome the limitations of the current drugs, increase drug?s efficacy, develop better diagnostic tools, and to re-visit previous drugs that were discontinued

despite having great potentials and to modify them using the nanomedicine field to be re-used again.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

Yes, when women in the scientific field are empowered with the required tools, they can play a pivotal role in the scientific field in order to ensure its advancement.

But that is not easy because female scientists often face many internal and external challenges.

These challenges include limiting social stereotypes, work-related stress, and work-life imbalances that restrict them to certain workplaces. Fortunately, the development of the research field was accompanied by a noticeable improvement in the status of women. As today?s female researchers are surrounded by strong female scientists from whom we learned strategies to face various challenges in order to have a successful career in the scientific field.

Furthermore, the presence of women scientists in decision-making positions has helped create flexible working times, and

women-friendly management policies, all of these factors have helped create an appropriate research environment that helps increase women's performance in the field of scientific research.

Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

Yes, I think so, and that is why despite the great achievements made by women in the scientific field, and the noticeable improvement in the status of women; female scientists still face many difficulties, that often restrict them to certain workplaces and they often lead to the occupational segregation and an increase in the gender gap in the scientific field. For that reason, I think we still have a long way to go before we achieve and guarantee gender equality in the scientific field as for now women still represent a small percentage in all areas of the scientific research from basic

research to decision-making levels, and that is where this award comes in better highlighting this aspect In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

The progress of the scientific field depends on constructing productive collaborations, engaging with different expertise and helping each other in the problem solving process.

Today, we realized that different scientific research areas are linked in many ways that we didn?t see before,

for example in my field, nanomedicine, to achieve our goal we need the collaborative work between expertise in the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, pharmacology and we also need clinicians to help translate this work from bench to bedside use. In doing so, we are including many expertise from the world leading research institutes in the field of nanomedicine and in the same time we are insuring diversity which is also another crucial aspect that needs to be considered more in the scientific field.

Most importantly, including researchers from different

fields and linking them together is beneficial as scientists with different perspectives often ask different questions, which gives different answers that are heavily influenced by their values that might develop into inventing new techniques, which eventually could lead to new knowledge and new insights.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

My biggest challenge was when I decided to go abroad and pursue my postgraduate studies away from my home and my family. Living alone in

a foreign country for the first time in my life was a great challenge to me, especially as I am a family oriented person. These social burdens alongside with my desire in learning, gaining experience, building a successful research career, having collaborations and making a difference wherever I go where together quite a challenge to me.

However, the QRLP-QNRF members, and the Qatar Cultural Attache have made that journey easy for me; they helped me establish myself in the UK. In addition, my supervisor and group members at Imperial College where more than helpful and I was lucky to have met amazing people who became a family to me. In general this experience has strengthened my independence and gave me many skills that shaped me to the scientists I am today.

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones?

The most memorable millstones were first being selected to be a member of the Qatar Research Leadership Program (QRLP), which was a scholarship, based program offered by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) that aims to build human capacities in the scientific field. That program significantly influenced my career and

because of it, I obtained my Master and PhD degrees from Imperial College of London. The second millstone was obtaining my first Postdoctoral Research Award (PDRA) also from the QNRF, which was then followed by obtaining my first fund as a Principle Investigator from the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) and it was called the PickFord Award. My most recent millstone was joining the Biomedical Research Center (BRC) at Qatar University and getting a grant from the QNRF called the Early Career Research Award (ECRA) where I will also be acting as a principle investigator.

You have been recognized by t he prest igiousL?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East ,How do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

I am honored to be one of the winners and to be representing the Middle East, as this award will help me set an example for my colleagues and students, and to encourage more women to join the scientific research community. This award will help me meet our fellow scientists from the Gulf and Middle East, build relationships and to create a bright image of our societies. Finally, this

award will better highlight the challenges that face women in science and will help provide solutions form them.

Any last words?

My advice to every female who wants to build a career in the scientific research field is not to be afraid of making mistakes, and to consider every unsuccessful experiment or failed step during the early stages of the research career as a motive to move forward and take another step forward to reach their goals.

Also, always remember that success never comes easily, and that behind every successful scientific story is a large number of failed attempts that help us learn, grow and be stronger to help build and consolidate the pillars of the scientific field. Most importantly, I advise them not to lose their identity along the way, to always remember who they are, where they come from, what they want to achieve, and always help each other. In the end, I would say that one person?s success in the scientific research field is a success to all of us, so let us remember that and always focus on the big picture; the ends are always worth the struggles and sacrifices we put in to getting there.

Pr ot ect ing Public Healt h Thr ough Innovat ion Rachel Njeim

Rachel Njeim , from Lebanon, has been lauded for her research on the contribution of NETosis to the pathogenesis of Diabetic Kidney Disease

Tell us about yourself educat ional journey?

and

your

After earning a PharmD degree from the Lebanese American University (LAU), a career in medical research seemed like the most viable option to fulfill my academic inspirations. Medical research allows me to contribute to the advancement of science in identifying novel approaches to treat several chronic diseases, with a special emphasis on diabetes and diabetes-associated complications. The master?s degree in Pharmacology and Therapeutics that I earned at the American University of Beirut (AUB) was an excellent starting point for my career path. It reinforced my desire to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, majoring in Physiology, in the hopes of establishing a research-academic career. My enthusiasm, scienti- fic curiosity, organizational skills and hard-working nature have helped me succeed throughout my personal and professional endeavors.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

The medical field has always interested me, and for this reason I chose to pursue a career in pharmacy. W hile I gained a lot from my clinical rotations, particularly in terms of being exposed to the wider field of pharmacology and therapeutics and improving my capability as a clinical pharmacist, I ultimately felt that I wanted to delve more deeply into the cases that I was encountering. A research career seemed like the best viable option, as it would allow me to participate in ongoing studies and contribute to the development of the field.

My support system has played an essential role in my career path in STEM fields. My family has provided all the support I could ask for while pursuing my studies. Also, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by advisors who encouraged me to pursue my academic goals and to always dream

bigger. Finally, my mentor, Professor Assaad A. Eid, has inspired me to cultivate my critical thinking skills and conduct my own scientific research. I am grateful for his persevering commitment and unwavering support during my PhD journey.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research?

The focus of my research is understanding the underlying pathology of diabetic kidney disease in order to identify potential therapies that inhibit its progression.

Diabetes is a serious health problem that is on a worrying rise worldwide. Alarming reports by the International Diabetes Federation show that the prevalence of diabetes is projected to increase by 96.2% by 2035 in the Middle East and North Africa region. Diabetes is strongly associated with life-threatening complications that often go clinically unnoticed, such as diabetic kidney disease, the leading cause of renal failure.

W hile research has primarily focused on glucose as a key player in the pathophysiology of diabetes and diabetes-induced complications, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which it induces these complications in patients with diabetes are still under massive investigation. Increasing studies highlight the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of diabetes. In my research work, I aim to identify the role of NETosis, a novel neutrophil-specific cell death process, in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease. I also intend to elucidate the potential benefits of targeting NETosis with mesenchymal stem cells to reverse kidney injury.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

Our research work is a stepping-stone into understanding the pathology underlying diabetic kidney disease. It proposes a host of innovative and improved therapies to reduce the burden of diabetes on patients

and to improve their quality of life. I hope that this work will help the scientific community develop novel therapies and assess them in large-scale clinical trials that will potentially protect the public health and help control the surging costs of diabetes-related health care.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

Over the past years, the landscape of gender in education and the workplace has shifted: women have gained representation, equitable pay, and recognition through prizes, scholarships, and publications.

However, and unfortunately, in the fields of STEM differences continue to persist.

According to UNESCO Institute for Statistics, women represent less than 30 % of researchers globally, and their work rarely gains the recognition it deserves. For instance, only 3 % of Nobel Prizes in science are awarded to women; thus, women have fewer role models to inspire their interests in these fields. Therefore, I strongly believe that the global scientific community mustsolidify and strengthen the presence of women on the scientific stage. Recognizing, promoting and motivating exceptional women who are moving science forward is of utmost importance to achieve true gender equality in science. This will hopefully attract potential women scientists to pursue a career in the fields of STEM. Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive? ?Even today, in the 21st century, women and girls are being sidelined in science-related

Over the past years, the landscape of gender in education and the workplace has shifted: women have gained representation, equitable pay, and recognition through prizes, scholarships, and publications. However, and unfortunately, in the fields of STEM differences continue to persist.

fields due to their gender. Women need to know that they have a place in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and that they have a right to share in scientific progress?, says Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

Although women are leading ground-breaking research, to this day, gender stereotyping against women is very common, particularly in the Arab society. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is lagging behind when it comes to issues of gender equality. To overcome this challenge,it is important tobring visibility to the achievements of Arab women researchers and recognize their contribution in advancing scientific research.Encouraging women in science means giving them the tools they need to be resilient in the face of criticism and adversity.

my time better and evaluate my priorities.

Sometimes you just have to detach from work to make time for yourself and your loved ones.

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

You have been recognized by t he prest igious L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East ,How do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

In my opinion,inclusion is important toensure that the unique perspectives of women scientists are incorporated intoadvancing scientific research to address today?s most pressing challenges. I believe that the women?s methodological and theoretical approach can contribute to filling existing knowledge gaps and generating novel results in the fields of STEM. W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

Luckily, unconscious gender bias is not a challenge that I have to face. My institution is an excellent place to be a woman in science, and my PhD advisor has always valued gender equality and women?s empowerment.My biggest challenge is balancing my professional and personal life.

My desire to succeed professionally can sometimes push me to set aside my own well-being. I try to overcome this challenge by accepting that there is no ?perfect? work-life balance. I had to learn to manage

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones?

Being recognized by L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, winning the 2021 European Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group (EDNSG) Best Oral Communication Prize, being selected asa 2019 American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney STARS award recipient, presenting at national and international conferences, and publishing in the most prestigious high-impact journals are all memorable career milestones. On a personal level, every significant event in my life and the start of a new chapter has been a memorable milestone.

It is a true honor and privilege to be recognized by the prestigious L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Levant Young Talents Program.This recognition has only further motivated me to work harder and has given me a sense of hope for the future generations of women scientists.

Being recognized by L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science will allow me to grow and prosper on a personal level in what will be a milestone in my career as a scientific researcher.

Any last words?

My vision is a life free of diabetes and its burdens, and research holds the key. And to every woman considering pursuing a career in science, I say: Dream Big and Aim High!

Pow eri ng Sustai nabi l i ty Sarah Abdel kader

Sarah Abdelkader, from Egypt, has been recognised for her research on on-site sustainable treatment method for agricultural wastewater treatment to be reused in irrigation Tell us about yourself educat ional journey?

and

your

I am an environmental engineer in the Egyptian Ministry of Housing Utilities and Urban Development, graduated from the Environmental Engineering Master's program in AUC, 2020, and recently a Ph.D. fellow in the Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology at AUC. The journey towards this recent step started from the Egyptian private schools at the early stage and continued through the country?s educational system for the students outside Egypt and in the UAE. Getting my Egyptian secondary degree,I joinedthe civil engineering school at The American University in Sharjah and graduated in 2010.

However, my journey with education was not limited to the academic part, it also included my interest in increasing my knowledge through reading in several fields. The passion for knowledge is the motive that drove me to continue my graduate studies in AUC after turning back to my homeland Egypt. Moreover, my interest in environmental studies started during my bachelor's degree study by choosing sustainable buildings to be my senior project`s focus.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

My mother was my first influence who guided me to the path of STEM. She is an incredible biology teacher with a unique teaching philosophy that relies on observing and discovering, as two important educational tools, that inspired

not only me, but all her students throughout her career. She encouraged me to analyze STEM topics in the curriculum, ask questions and search for the answers not only to understand these topics but also to discover new topics and get new knowledge in the different STEM fields. To enhance these skills, she provided me with a huge library by getting me a book each time I had unanswered questions.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research?

My scientific focus, since the beginning of my graduate studies, is water and wastewater studies, especially the wastewater treatment field. My research in the master thesis was focusing on developing a sustainable method for heavy metals removal, namely chromium, from industrial wastewater which was chosen to be tannery`s wastewater. This scope has continued with me recently in the Ph.D. dissertation research; however, it will be focusing on agricultural wastewater treatment. The research is focusing on developing an on-site sustainable treatment system that guarantees a low-cost efficient process for agricultural wastewater treatment to be reused in irrigation. This system should be simple in use and evaluated environmentally and economically to be suitable for the Egyptian rural communities. This research is very important as it supports Egypt Vision 2030 that encourages the recycling and reuse of different types of wastewaters as part of the national plan to help the Egyptian community to convert to be

sustainable. Also, it will be a step towards the adaptation to the effects of climate change on the agricultural sector and the water scarcity problem.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

At present, agricultural drainage reuse is widely practiced in the Delta region through 23 locations defined as a central drainage reuse system. This system provides about 4.0 BCM/ year of drainage water to be mixed with the freshwater of the main canals. The government has an ambitious plan to expand drainage reuse to reach 8.0 BCM/ year leaving a quantity not less than 8.0 BCM/ year to be discharged to the sea which is thought to be the minimum amount to keep the salt balance for the Delta region. However, this drainage is usually highly contaminated wastewater as it is usually mixed with municipal or industrial wastewater in addition to the contaminants resulting from the excessive use of pesticides. Through my research work, I hope to develop a treatment unit that can be installed on the drains to remove these contaminants before drainage reuse for agriculture. The unit should be simple in use, economically designed, and environmentally friendly.

These results will help increase the quality of drainage reused for agriculture and the depletion of freshwater in developing food security for a country like Egypt that is witnessing a great increase in population every year.

Do you believe t here needs to be a change in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

Although the percentage of women in STEM fields has increased recently, women account for only 28% of the workforce in science and hold only 14% of scientific top

academic positions. However, these percentages are not because of forbidding girls from some STEM majors but because women themselves are avoiding STEM majors. Gender stereotypes, ignoring female scientists role model presentation, the overrated anxiety towards STEM, misrepresenting women in STEM fields, underrepresenting women in the STEM workforce, and the competing relation with males in the STEM field are the key factors that make women lose confidence in their ability to dig their ways through STEM fields, discourage them from joining STEM majors and perpetuating gender STEM gaps. So, there is a need for changes in the scientific system and landscape to overcome these factors, facilitate the women's path in STEM fields and promote gender equity in these fields.

Do you believe unconscious biases exist especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alk about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

I believe that women in our region came a long way in proving themselves in the STEM fields and overcoming the gender biases in these fields. For example, in Egypt, women represent 50% of STEM graduates; however, this percentage is not reflected in the STEM workforce or research field. And this is not only in Egypt, at the university level, women in North Africa and Middle Eastern (MENA) nations comprise nearly half, and sometimes more, of STEM students. Women in most of the MENA region graduate with university degrees in STEM, often at higher rates than their U.S. and European counterparts.

However, the MENA region records the world?s lowest rate of women's participation

in the workforce. Many women in the region are not employed, even after obtaining a university degree, regardless of field. In STEM fields, women represent only 40% of the workforce and it is even worse in STEM research as they represent only 26%. This gap in women's participation between education and professional practice is due to several factors.

As I mentioned before, women in STEM are either misrepresented or underrepresented in the professional field due to the stereotypes about their inefficiency in STEM practice or their inability to compromise between their career and their roles as mothers and wives.

In addition, unconscious biases between males and females in different fields, especially STEM fields, create negative gender competition which is usually unfair for women who face difficult challenges resulting in imposing a heavy burden on women forcing them to always fight to prove their ability and efficiency. To overcome these factors, changes should be made in the STEM professional field to recruit more women and work to retain and promote women throughout their careers with strong advancement pipelines and continued professional development and leadership training. In addition, it is important to promote welcoming work environments, including providing pay equity; flexibility; strong family and medical leave policies; inclusion and anti-bias training; mentorship, networking, and ally-ship opportunities; and strong anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies to enhance women`s feeling of security in STEM professional fields.

usually dependent on research and development.

Diversity enhances excellence and innovation by engaging individuals with a wide band of perspectives, like background, age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, geography, disability, socioeconomic status, area of expertise, level of experience, thinking style, and skill set to promote the capability to analyze, innovate and generate new ideas. It was found that diverse and inclusive scientific teams can generate new research questions, develop methodical and analytical approaches to better understand study STEM challenges, and offer approaches to problem-solving from multiple and different perspectives.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

As a woman involved in the field of environmental sciences and engineering, I am facing the same challenges women are facing in STEM fields that I had explained previously. However, the biggest challenge I had was to keep my enthusiasm and maintain focus on my research work despite all the challenges and without affecting my other responsibilities as an employee, mother, and the only guardian for my 8 years-old daughters. However, my family, especially my mother, supported me a lot and helped me in taking care of my daughter. Also, I could turn this challenge into a motive by thinking about being a role model for my daughter. This idea pushes my efforts to the maximum and drives me to work harder and keep going to fulfill all my responsibilities and be successful in all my roles as I wish for her.

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies, and research are concerned?

You have been recognized prest igious L?Oréal-UNESCO For in Science Middle East . How do about it , t he fact t hat your work recognized and celebrated?

by t he Women you feel is being

Inclusion means diversity which is a very important factor in fields of science that are

Research work isn't easy; it needs passion, commitment, patience, and a lot of effort.

So, recognizing this work is a great honor and considered as the most important motive for any research as it helps in making this research more effective and increases the chance of developing it.

L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East is a very reputable and prestigious award that recognized 28 exceptional Egyptian scientists since the launch of the program 23 years ago;3 Laureates awarded representing the African continent, 4 leading women scientists who have made extraordinary discoveries in their fields awarded on a regional level as part of Egypt & Levant program and 2 awarded as International Rising Talents.So, it is a great honor for me to get recognized by this award and it will be a huge motive for me to keep on going to improve my research work to leave an effective impact in the STEM fields.

Any last words?

Of course. On this occasion, some acknowledgments should be made. Surely, I want to thank L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science for their efforts in recognizing the research work of female researchers in STEM; this recognition is a great motive for girls in the MENA region to join STEM fields. Also, I should thank my mother who supported me and held my hand during all my hard times through my journey in academic research; she is my first and most important role model and teacher. In addition, I need to express my deep gratitude to my professors; namely Prof. Salah Elhaggar, Dr. Ahmed El- Gendy, and Dr. Sherien Elbaradei for their guidance and mentorship.

Dr. Waad Saftly, from Syria, has been recognised for her research on galaxy evolution through the history of the universe.

D r. W aad Saft ly

Go i n g H i g h i n t h e Sk y

Tell us about yourself educat ional journey?

and

your

I graduated from the Faculty of Science at Al-Baath University in Syria with the highest class rank in the field of Applied Mathematics, as a result of that, I received a scholarship from the university to do a PhD in Astronomy at the University of Ghent in Belgium. After my PhD, I moved back to Syria and decided to help build up my country that is still suffering from the war and its consequences, and to encourage young students to obtain their university education under difficult circumstances. I am now working as a professor at two different universities in Syria and supervising several master thesis.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

W ho among us did not stare at the sky during his childhood wondering about that belt of faint light made up of the stars of the Milky Way?! The real passion and the desire to understand the mysteries of this wonderful Universe that has fascinated humanity for decades, prompted me to continue my study in Applied Mathematics in Syria, then I moved to Belgium to study Astronomy academically at the Astronomical Observatory of Ghent University. Thanks to my family that respects the value of science very much, I am lucky to be born in such a supportive family, they encouraged me not only now, but throughout my academic career and my entire life.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research/ focus?

I am working in the field of numerical astrophysics and galaxy simulations. One of the most outstanding and important questions in modern astronomy is:how have galaxies formed and evolved across cosmic time?Answering this question is the

goal of my project, and that will help us in solving a lot of other important astrophysical questions. The purpose of my research is to understand the physical processes that drive the formation and evolution of galaxies.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

The coming decade is a golden age for galaxy evolution studies, a wealth of relevant observational data are or will be provided, especially after the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. I will compare these data to the most state-of-the-art cosmological simulations by utilizing advanced software. This project is very important to identify the successes and failures of different galaxy formation models in cosmological simulations.

Hence, the aim of this research is to not only better understand the physical processes at play in galaxy evolution, but to also create new benchmarks to improve the next generation of the cosmological simulations. The impact of this project will de?nitely allow a substantial advance in our comprehension of the Universe we live in.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

The need for more women in science goes beyond issues of fairness. We need our voices to be more represented and heard. I think the first thing to change is the cultural restrictions that sometimes prevent women to continue their higher education and have their own careers. We need also to ensure them fair and safe environment in our scientific institutions. In addition, and most importunately, we need to encourage women in science by recognizing and promoting exceptional women scientists at

different stages of their careers. The L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program is a great example of the encouragement we need.

Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

I think, in the Arab world, when women in science work mainly with men, they face difficulties to be accepted in a group of male colleagues, they also encounter unprofessional behavior more often than in the Western world. They also might face discrimination and difficulties when they are trying to move to higher roles in male-dominated positions. Men in the Arab world earn more public-facing recognition of status, through talk invitations and prizes, hence men are more likely to occupy more senior positions in scientific fields, and more lucrative and executive positions. I think woman should reach positions of power and have as many opportunities as their male counterparts.

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

Innovations resulting from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields have positively touched nearly every aspect of human life. Scientific innovations do not arise on their own, each is brought forth through the hard work and ingenuity of scientists. Therefore, the quality of the scientific research, and its ability to meet the needs of the lives of individuals, communities and the world are the results of the integration between

research, methodology and practice.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

I think the challenges I have faced are the same for every young man and woman in Syria. The results of the war in Syria made life conditions very difficult. Of course, that has influenced the scientific and research field in Syria. We struggle every day to continue our daily life journey and achieve our goals, which needs a lot of dedication and patience. This is in addition to the lack of technical and technological resources and equipment concerning my field of specialization, which is Astronomy. This is not only in Syria but also in most of the Arab countries, but I have been able to stay in contact with the team I was working with at Ghent University.

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones?

of my life, and it will promote my future career.

The worst milestone in every Syrian?s life is the war in Syria, which has resulted in untold sufferings on people and affected their lives and livelihood. On the other hand, the best memorable moment in my life is getting my PhD in Astronomy, and of course, the moment of telling me that I got the L?Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Levant Program award.

Any last words?

You have been recognized by t he prest igiousL?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East ,How do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

I am extremely proud and happy to be selected to receive the L?Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East Program award. That is an honor for me. This is a big recognition that gives me a big visibility in science community and in my country. This grant will allow me to start a new chapter

Despite all the difficulties, family responsibilities, commitments and cultural restrictions that women in the Middle East face, women have to be determined to help build up their countries and have their own independent and successful careers. Always remember that no matter how dark the present, we should always work for a brighter future.

Combat t ing Food W as t e Dr. Hiba N. Rajha

Dr. Hiba N. Rajha, from Lebanon, is celebrated for her research on food waste valorization through incorporation and nanoencapsulation of grape skin polyphenols in various cosmetic products.

Tell us about yourself and your educat ional journey?

I am a person committed to five big causes: education, community service, women empowerment, mental health and environment. I started my journey with an ?Earth and Life Science? BS followed by a Master?s degree in ?Proteomics and Genomics?.

Then I had the opportunity to achieve a PhD degree in the ?Process Engineering?field. After my PhD, I went back to university to pursue an Engineering diploma that I completed in 2019.

For every step I take in my career, I make sure that it matches my higher purpose as a human being.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

The first time I heard about women in Science was through the story of the physicist Marie-Curie. Her devotion and enthusiasm were very contagious and I knew right away that I wanted to become a scientist. I grab this opportunity to highlight the importance of being exposed to strong women in Science, such as the scopes of L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, and the impact it can have on young girls?lives.

W hat is t he scope research/ focus?

of

your

scient ific

I work on agro-industrial wastes? recycling as part of my commitment to sustainable development. I focus on the valorization of olive leaves, grape seeds, etc. by converting them into natural valuable ingredients for the food and cosmetic industries. I am hoping to accomplish an industrial process scale-up and raise awareness towards entrepreneurship in research and engineering.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

Scientific impact:My ultimate goal is to unveil new efficient natural molecules as an alternative to the synthetic ones used in the food and cosmetic industries.

Environmental impact:tocontribute to GREEN chemistry and to the reduction of waste?s negative effects on the environment.

Economic impact:to contribute to circular economy by implementing extraction units in industries for the commercialization of locally produced active ingredients for cosmetic or food industries.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

I think that the most efficient way to attract women to Science is leading by example. It is the era of social media and marketing. If I had the necessary time and budget, I would become a scientificinfluencer, filming and showing people how cool my daily work is and how exciting my researcher life is.

Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context ,

how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

In my opinion, unconscious biases exist in every single field, including the scientific field.

Although it is more or less prevalent, gender bias can be found throughout the world. In the Arab world, we enjoy many social values and family traditions, yet there is still an effort to be made regarding gender equality and women?s empowerment.

Fortunately, things are evolving. Younger generations are more and more exposed to discourses promoting equal access to resources and opportunities.

Hopefully, these gradual changes will lead to a real shift by implementing genuine gender equality strategies.

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

Inclusion matters because it minimizes biases.

Women are half of the population. Not only it is not conceivable that half of the population is underprivileged from a professional viewpoint, but also the society is missing specific skills, human resources, and broader diversity, which is a key concept for a better chance of success.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

Finding my place in the male-dominated industries.As a process engineer and an industrial consultant, I suffered a lot at first with being underestimated for being young and for being a woman. W ith time, I learned that self-confidence, dedication and hard work are the most efficient strategies against gender biases.

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones? ·Challenging myself to becoming a process engineer in a male-dominated field. ·Being

selected

to

join

the

prestigious

Arab-German Young Academy (AGYA) with whom I conduct research, social, cultural, psychological and educational projects. ·Becoming a scientific woman entrepreneur incubated by Berytech. ·Cofounding ?LifeBox? an NGO to serve the Lebanese community. ·Being a women?s rights activist.

You have been recognized by t he prest igiousL?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East ,how do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

I am indeed very happy and honored to receive the L?Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Levant Young Talent award. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank UNESCO and the Fondation L'Oréal for encouraging and empowering me with my research topic on waste valorization. In addition to the precious financial support that will allow me to open new perspectives in my career, I am granted the exceptional chance, as an Ambassador of the L?Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science program, to be a role model and inspire other young girls to undergo a scientific career and that is an overwhelming experience.

Any last words?

Never give up. It took me 5 years of hard work and self-growth to win the L?Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Levant Young Talent award. I applied for t hree consecutive years, and I did not make it. Three failures were not enough for me to quit, I took two years for self-development and I applied again this year to win it this time!

Well I guess sometimes, fourt h t ime?s a charm.

Hel pin g Hu m a n it y In c r e a s e Fo o d Pr o d u c t i o n Dr. Heba Al zaben f rom Jordan has been recognised for her research on t he use of t herm al rem ot e sensing t o m onit or ecosyst em heal t h.

Tell us about yourself and your educat ional journey?

My name is Heba Alzaben and I am an assistant professor at the Mechanical Engineering department at AlHussein Technical University in Amman, Jordan. I teach thermodynamic courses for second and third year engineering students. I finished my PhD in July 2020 from the University of Waterloo in ON, Canada. I obtained my Bachelor and master?s degrees from the University of Jordan at the Mechanical Engineering department.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

I was very interested in science since an early school age, and I participated in all science fairs that was held in my school. I always wanted to know the physical meaning behind different phenomenon that we learned during the science class. Therefore, I pursued my graduate studies to help me learn to leverage scientific research for problem solving.

My parents were also a great motivation for me beside my excellent grades in grade 12 where I chose engineering as my major. My dad specifically had a great influence on my career path; where he holds a PhD degree in civil Engineering and has many published books in the field of roads and bridges with long practical experience. He inspired me to continue graduate studies and focus on scientific research that has a great benefit to humanity worldwide.

W hat is t he scope of your scient ific research/ focus?

My research focuses on the use of thermal remote sensing through surface temperature and spectral emissivity measurements for the purpose of precision agriculture.

W hat kind of impact do you hope to achieve t hrough your immense body of work?

I hope that my research will help humanity increase the food production worldwide with less use of chemicals to mitigate the implications of climate change and save the environment.

Do you believe t here needs to be changes in t he scient ific system and landscape to be more at t ract ive to women in science/ STEM and for potent ial scient ist s in t he fut ure?

Yes, more encouragements and awareness with great access to different resources are required to attract more women to pursue career in science. In addition, more recognition of current woman scientist via awards, fellowships, and grants such as

L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women inScience program that has various opportunities to support female scientists worldwide.

February 11th is celebrated as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science which I think is a great opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women and girls in science and also to motivate many young girls to pursue the same career path while highlighting the different challenges that they could face and how to overcome them. In addition, help them to overcome the challenges many women experience at some point during their career, which hold them back from getting a promotion in academic or industrial related jobs compared to men in the same workplace.Finally, holding more science fairs and campaigns for young girls at school would be very beneficial for girls to meet female scientists who have great achievements where they can ask them questions about science and learn about their experience.

Do you believe unconscious biases exist s especially in t he scient ific world in t his region or let us put it in a different context , how does t he Arab world fare t alking about gender bias or unconscious biases w hen one compares it w it h Western societ ies? Are we faring any bet ter or are we similar? How and w hat needs to be done to be more and more inclusive?

The most important thing to understand and consider is that science is for both men and woman so in order to be more inclusive it is vital to create and maintain a good environment for women and girls to pursue a scientific career while connecting them with peer woman scientists to mentor them in their early scientific career path so they can learn from their experience.

Yes, gender bias does exist worldwide, including in the West and the Middle East. We all know that women undergo different challenges compared to men especially in the Arab world due to the cultural implications. However, many successful female scientists proved that despite all the challenges women are facing i.e., attaining work-life balance, they still do an excellent job, something that needs to be documented, recognized, and celebrated. Fellowship like the L?Oréal UNESCOs For Woman in Science program is setting a great example for the need to celebrate and recognize many talented women around the world.

In your opinion, w hy should inclusion mat ter in t he fields of science as far as work, pract ice, met hodologies and research is concerned?

Different people offer different perspectives and ask

questions in various ways and have something unique to bring to the table, after all, it is these differences that develop compelling research projects. In order to drive successful scientific research, it is important for men and women to collaborate to produce strong results that are channeled by creativity and innovation.

W hat have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome t hem?

There are many challenges that affect women in science around the world including limited access to resources, development and training opportunities, exchange programs, as well as gender bias that affect women disproportionally, and inhibit their ability to receive proper recognition in comparison with their male counterparts.

Funding was one of the biggest challenges in my career. My research requires data collection using expensive equipment that cost millions of dollars along with its high maintenance fees. Therefore, I have to collaborate with other universities that have this equipment to collect my data so I can analyze them and t my tackle my research.

W hat are some of your most memorable milestones?

Finishing my PhD studies at the beginning of COVID 19 pandemic where I had to defend my five years of hard work virtually in July 2020 which was a very challenging experience that I very much appreciated.

You have been recognized by t he prest igious L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East , How do you feel about it , t he fact t hat your work is being recognized and celebrated?

I feel very grateful that my hard productive work is being recognized and celebrated. It is a great opportunity to connect with peer woman scientists around the region to share our own experience in the scientific career path, share our challenges, and possible future collaborations in scientific research.

Any last words?

Iwould like to thank L?Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East for such a great opportunity and for recognizing my research as well as extending this high level of support.Thank you

My research focuses on the use of thermal remote sensing through surface temperature and spectral emissivity measurements for the purpose of precision agriculture.

Tell us about yourself and your educat ional journey?

I earned my bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from Khalifa University in the UAE and a Masters degree in biomedicine from The University of Pittsburgh Medical School in the United States of America, where I also worked at the Hillman Cancer Center (University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre). Upon completing my studies in the United States, I was awarded a scholarship by the UAE Crown Prince Court to pursue my doctoral studies in engineering (with a focus on biomedical engineering) at Khalifa University, where I worked with Dr. Habiba Alsafar and Dr. Guan Tay from the University of Western Australia at Khalifa University Centre for Biotechnology.

W ho and/ or w hat were your early influences/ inspirat ion t hat led you to t his pat h in STEM fields?

My career in Science started when I was searching for universities after high school and I came across an online article about Dr. Habiba Alsafar, an Emirati scientist that discovered Diabetic genetic markers

Addr essing Gaps in Or gan Tr ansplant at ion H alima A lnaqbi from t he U A E received recognit ion for her research on enhancing t he exist ing organ t ransplant at ion syst em t o include A rab et hnic groups.

Tell us about your self and your educational jour ney?

I ear ned my bachelor 's degree in biomedical engineer ing from Khalifa Univer sity in the UAE and a Master s degree in biomedicine from The Univer sity of Pittsbur gh Medical School in the United States of Amer ica, where I also worked at the Hillman Cancer Center (Univer sity of Pittsbur gh Medical Centre). Upon completing my studies in the United States, I was awarded a scholar ship by the UAE Crown Pr ince Cour t to pur sue my doctor al studies in engineer ing (with a focus on biomedical engineer ing) at Khalifa Univer sity, where I worked with Dr. Habiba Alsafar and Dr. Guan Tay from the Univer sity of Wester n Austr alia at Khalifa Univer sity Centre for Biotechnology.

Who and/or what wer e your ear ly influences/inspir ation that led you to this path in STEM fields?

My career in Science star ted when I was searching for univer sities after high school and I came across an online ar ticle about Dr. Habiba Alsafar, an Emir ati scientist that discovered Diabetic genetic marker s in the UAE population. I come from a small city on the East Coast of the UAE where I r arely meet women who work in scientific fields, so I looked at Dr. Alsafar as my role model and I decided to study biomedical engineer ing at Khalifa Univer sity in Abu Dhabi. As a per son that enjoys taking challenges, biomedical engineer ing was a career path that strengthens and develops an individual to solve the most ur gent and cr itical problems and challenges.

What is the scope of your scientific r esear ch?

Due to a dear th of genome data of the Ar abian population, healthcare in under represented nations confronts unique challenges, affecting the region's capacity to integr ate molecular genetic research findings into clinical applications, par ticularly for cr itical clinical assays such as histocompatibility matching.

Unrelated or gan donor s are identified from

millions of volunteer s via regional networks.

However, there is no Ar abian contr ibution to these inter national registr ies as the Ar abian HLA is poorly char acter ized. My research aims to address this gap and establish a preliminar y reference for or gan and bone mar row tr ansplantation donor selection.

What kind of impact do you hope to achieve thr ough your immense body of wor k?

I hope that my project will act as a reference that will facilitate research on disease susceptibility and/or protection to assist in early diagnosis, future prevention, and per sonalized ther apy in the under represented populations of Ar abia.

Do you believe ther e needs to be changes in the scientific system and landscape to be mor e attr active to women in science/STEM and for potential scientists in the futur e?

More than half of gr aduates from Ar ab league scientific and engineer ing institutions are female, a figure significantly higher than in other countr ies, demonstr ating Ar ab women's passion for science. However, we continue to see a shor tage of female gr aduates enter ing the labor market. It could be a lack of adequate mentor ship following gr aduation and a gener al lack of examples of inspir ational female scientists. Therefore, I believe that the academic field can be made more attr active and welcoming to future female scientists by increasing the number of female professor s mentor ing students and taking leader ship positions.

Do you believe unconscious biases exists especially in the scientific wor ld in this r egion or let us put it in a differ ent context, how does the Ar ab wor ld far e talking about gender bias or unconscious biases when one compar es it with Wester n societies? Ar e we far ing any better or ar e we similar ? How and what needs to be done to be mor e and mor e inclusive?

I believe that gender biases do exist in the Ar ab

world more than any par t of the world and it goes deeper than we think. But I also believe that there has been a r adical development in the perception of women and their role in science in the Ar ab world dur ing the last few decades. Ar ab women have been able to prove themselves as par tner s in the scientific, academic, and other sector s and the society has become more accepting of the idea of ??women scientists occupying leader ship positions. Our histor y is r ich with the contr ibutions of Ar ab women pioneer s who paved the way for the younger gener ations of women.

In your opinion, why should inclusion matter in the fields of science as far as wor k, pr actice, methodologies and r esear ch is concer ned?

In science, research is done in teams, and gender and specialization diver sity in any team is par ticularly impor tant since it encour ages innovation.

Women have previously demonstr ated their ability in science topics, as more than half of engineer ing gr aduates in the UAE are female. Because of the var iety of viewpoints that diver sity provides to research, there is a cr itical need for more women in STEM areas. women br ing unique views to research and scientific discussion. Therefore, diver sity foster s more creativity and a broader comprehension of the subject matter.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you over come them?

I encountered sever al obstacles, but one of the most significant was the long hour s I spent in the lab attempting to fix an exper iment that failed repeatedly for a whole year. It had a negative impact on my mentality, and I began to question my abilities, to the point where I considered quitting. However, I was able to overcome this difficulty by seeking the help of an exper ienced team of researcher s from Khalifa Univer sity's Center for Biotechnology.

Then it occur red to me that we as researcher s

would fail constantly, but we must never lose the motivation to per severe.

What ar e some of your most memor able milestones?

When I secured my fir st research and innovation gr ant from Dubai Expo 2020 Expo Live progr amme dur ing the fir st semester of my doctor al studies to tur n my research project into a commercial application.

You have been r ecognized by the pr estigiousL?Or éal- UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East,How do you feel about it, the fact that your wor k is being r ecognized and celebr ated?

It is an honor to be recognized by the L'Oreal- UNESCO Progr amme for Women in Science. This progr am is a platfor m for empower ing and suppor ting women scientists, and I am honored to be a par t of it. I aspire to become a professor one day and to continue working on biomedical research and maybe lead a research team. This award is cer tainly an impor tant step towards achieving this goal.

Any last wor ds?

A message to the women who are in their early career in science. As a researcher you may feel over whelmed by the long hour s in the lab and direct cr iticism from other s regarding your hypothesis, methodology or publications. In fact, you will fail much more often than you will succeed. However, as scientists, our cur iosity should be our motivation to never stop, and you should always be flexible when new challenges ar ise. Science is a mar athon, not a r ace. Therefore, you should always be up to date about new advances through reading and attending scientific conferences or joining a science community in your respective field.