Asma Al-Othni

PhD Student Quantum Computing

Asma Al-Othni

PhD Student Quantum Computing

Syed Muhammad Arslan

PhD Student Quantum Communication

Syed Muhammad Arslan

PhD Student Quantum Communication

Maryam Salem Al-Marri

Master Student Quantum Computing

Maryam Salem Al-Marri

Master Student Quantum Computing

Omar Elwalid Elsayed

Master Student Quantum Computing

Omar Elwalid Elsayed

Master Student Quantum Computing

Nora Abdalla Mohamed

PhD Student Quantum Computing

Nora Abdalla Mohamed

PhD Student Quantum Computing

Jawaher Kaldari

PhD Student Quantum Computing

Jawaher Kaldari

PhD Student Quantum Computing

Dr. Philippe Bouyer

SAC Member

Dr. Artur Ekert

SAC Member

SAC Member

Dr. Artur Ekert

SAC Member

SAC Member

Johanne Medina

Research Associate

Johanne Medina

Research Associate

Educational Qualifications

MSc. In Data Science and Engineering

BSc. In Computer Engineering

Entity

Qatar Computing Research Institute

Division

Qatar Center for Artificial Intelligence

Biography

Johanne Medina is a research associate at Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI). She holds a BSc. in Computer Engineering and an MSc. in Data Science and Engineering both from Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Aside from her interest in academic research, Johanne also provides expertise in full-stack web and app development, data management, and specialization in AI and Machine Learning. In her work in QCRI, her areas of focus include mobile learning in personalized education, social media analytics, and user personas, utilizing Large Language Models.

MSc. In Data Science and Engineering

HBKU

2023

BSc. In Computer Engineering

HBKU

2020

  • Personalized Education
  • Large Language Models
  • User Personas
  • Research Data Management

Research Associate

Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), HBKU

2023 - Present

Graduate Student Researcher

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), HBKU

2021 - 2023

Sarra Mestiri

Senior Research Associate

Sarra Mestiri

Senior Research Associate

Educational Qualifications

Master's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology

Biotechnology engineering diploma

Entity

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute

Division

Translational Oncology Research Center

Biography

Sarra Mestiri holds a master's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Sorbonne University of Paris. With over 7 years of research and academic experience spanning Tunisia, France, and Qatar, she has demonstrated expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology. While conducting research in France, Sarra identified novel NF-κB inhibitors through high throughput screening, offering potential regulation for diseases like cancer, auto-immune conditions, and chronic inflammation. Her work also delved into the ATR-CHK1 signaling pathway's role in DNA replication dynamics during replicative stress.

Relocating to Qatar in 2019, Sarra joined the Translational Cancer Research Facility at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Hamad Medical Corporation as a Research Associate. Her focus included characterizing immune responses in cancer patients, identifying dynamic biomarkers of response, and generating antigen-specific T cells for cancer therapy. In 2024, she became a Senior Research Associate in Dr. Fares Al-Ejeh's team, dedicating her efforts to identifying clinically actionable potential biomarkers in Qatar's population for Cancer Precision Medicine. With a commitment to advancing cancer research, Sarra Mestiri brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her current role.

 

Master's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology

Sorbonne University

2018

Biotechnology engineering diploma

Polytechnique School

2017

Bachelor's degree in Life Science

Higher Institute of Biotechnology

2014

  • Cancer
  • Immunology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Novel cancer diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers

Senior Research Associate

Translational Oncology Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)

2024 - Present

Research Associate

Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), Qatar

2019 - 2023

Research Fellow

FANC/BRCA signaling pathway and cancers laboratory, Gustave Roussy Institute, France

2018

Research Fellow

Signaling pathways and pathogenesis laboratory, Pasteur Institute, France

2017

Mestiri, S., El-Ella, D. M. A., Fernandes, Q., Bedhiafi, T., Almoghrabi, S., Akbar, S., Inchakalody, V., Assami, L., Anwar, S., Uddin, S., Gul, A. R. Z., Al-Muftah, M., Merhi, M., Raza, A., & Dermime, S. (2024). The dynamic role of immune checkpoint molecules in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of head and neck cancers. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 171, 116095.

Taib, N., Merhi, M., Inchakalody, V., Mestiri, S., Hydrose, S., Makni-Maalej, K., Raza, A., Sahir, F., Azizi, F., Nizamuddin, P. B., Fernandes, Q., Yoosuf, Z. S. K. M., Almoghrabi, S., Al-Zaidan, L., Shablak, A., Uddin, S., Maccalli, C., Homsi, M. U. A., & Dermime, S. (2023). Treatment with decitabine induces the expression of stemness markers, PD-L1 and NY-ESO-1 in colorectal cancer: potential for combined chemoimmunotherapy. Journal of Translational Medicine, 21(1).

Mestiri, S., Merhi, M., Inchakalody, V., Taib, N., Smatti, M. K., Faried, A., Raza, A., Ali, F., Hydrose, S., Fernandes, Q., Ansari, A. W., Sahir, F., Al-Zaidan, L., Jalis, M., Ghoul, M., Allahverdi, N., Homsi, M. U. A., Uddin, S., Jeremijenko, A., . . . Dermime, S. (2023). Persistence of spike-specific immune responses in BNT162b2-vaccinated donors and generation of rapid ex-vivo T cells expansion protocol for adoptive immunotherapy: A pilot study. Frontiers in Immunology, 14.

Maalej, K. M., Merhi, M., Inchakalody, V., Mestiri, S., Alam, M., Maccalli, C., Cherif, H., Uddin, S., Steinhoff, M., Marincola, F. M., & Dermime, S. (2023). CAR-cell therapy in the era of solid tumor treatment: current challenges and emerging therapeutic advances. Molecular Cancer, 22(1).

Fernandes, Q., Inchakalody, V., Merhi, M., Mestiri, S., Taib, N., El-Ella, D. M. A., Bedhiafi, T., Raza, A., Al-Zaidan, L., Mohsen, M. O., Al-Nesf, M. a. Y., Hssain, A. A., Yassine, H. M., Bachmann, M. F., Uddin, S., & Dermime, S. (2022). Emerging COVID-19 variants and their impact on SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, therapeutics and vaccines. Annals of Medicine, 54(1), 524–540.

Complete Publication Listing(s): Google Scholar | Research Gate

  • 2020; First place award - best poster and oral presentation. Awarded by the 10th annual meeting of the Middle-Eastern Association for Cancer Research (MEACR)
  • 2017; First place award - best research project. Awarded by Polytechnique School