QNRF Holds its First Online ROS

Researchers provide insights into infectious diseases in the region

Qatar National Research Fund (QNR) regularly organizes research outcome seminars to give researchers a platform to share the outcomes of their QNRF-funded research with members from the research and academic sector, representatives from industry and stakeholders, and the general public.
Earlier this month, QNRF held its fifth Research Outcome Seminar (ROS) as a virtual event due to the social restrictions now in place to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The seminar brought together six researchers, who presented their research on infectious diseases and discussed the spread and impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The scientists presented the results of their research projects, which explored various topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Infection Survey; viruses linked to hepatitis C and gastroenteritis; human papillomavirus; influenza complications in patients with diabetes; and the efficacy of face masks in protecting people against viral respiratory infections.
The seminar was hosted by Dr. Mohammed Hussein Jarrar, Senior Program Manager for the Biomedical Science and Health Pillar at QNRF, and was joined by Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Director of Public Health at Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, as the keynote speaker. Moreover, the seminar featured researchers from the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar University, and entities including QF member Sidra Medicine and QF partner University Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar.
The seminar, was held virtually to play its part in contributing to the important discussion taking place on the impact of infectious diseases around the world. Like similar seminars in the past, this ROS turned out to be a success, with around 240 viewers watching the live webinar and asking the researchers questions on the topic.
This seminar provided an opportunity to highlight the critical role that scientists and researchers play in our society, as the whole world is counting on them to produce a vaccine or develop a drug to abate and treat COVID-19. Moreover, it also helped apprise the people of Qatar on the policies and actions being taken to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Commenting on its importance, Dr. Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, Executive Director of QNRF remarked, “QNRF held this online seminar at a crucial time, as the global community is in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, and authorities around the world are taking unprecedented actions to deal with this evolving crisis. We have taken the lead in the field of infectious disease studies in the region, by sponsoring cutting-edge research projects, providing state-of-the-art research laboratories, and building much-needed human capacity. We hope people who participated in this Research Outcome Seminar gained insight into how researchers are addressing the many risks posed by infectious diseases.”