Research Matters

Dear Readers,
Welcome to the seventh edition of QNRF’s newsletter, ‘Research Matters’. As the second half of the year hurtles onward, the spread of COVID-19 continues to deeply impact our daily lives and livelihoods in so many ways. We are seeing the systematic phased lifting of lockdown measures by the Government of Qatar, and we will surely begin to adjust to the new normal of living with the virus.
 

The Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group (IDEG) at Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar (WCM–Q) has been designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for combatting COVID-19 and other selected infectious diseases in the region. Under the designation, the research team, which is headed by Dr. Laith Jamal Abu Raddad, will support WHO’s global and regional efforts focusing on public health programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).

Cancer is the second leading cause of death all over the world – accounting for one in six deaths in 2018. In Qatar, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, according to the Qatar National Cancer Registry. While medical research has provided treatment approaches that can increase life expectancy to some extent, it is evident that timely quality screening for early treatment is critical.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) are important subjects to study as they help develop the critical thinking abilities, innovative capabilities, and problem-solving skills that are key to enabling future generations to drive sustainable development and economic growth. However, many students are intimidated by STEM subjects and find it difficult to explain some of the concepts they encounter within them.