Dr. Cong-Yi (CY) Wang is the Scientific Director of the Diabetes Research Center at the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute. He earned his Ph.D. in Medical Immunology from Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. He completed postdoctoral training in population genetics, genomics, and immunology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the University of Florida under Dr. Noel Maclaren, a pioneer in endocrinology and metabolism.

Dr. Wang was later recruited as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia (now Augusta University), where he studied genetic and environmental factors influencing T1D risk. He was also appointed Scientific Director of the Georgia Exoteric and Molecular Laboratories at the Medical College of Georgia Health Science Center after his tenure as Assistant Professor.

In 2014, Dr. Wang was recruited by the Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, as a tenured professor. At Tongji Hospital, he established the Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Biobank, and the Tongji SPF Animal Center. He served as Director of the Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Biobank, and the National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, as well as Associate Director of Sponsored Program Administration.

Dr. Wang’s research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. His team investigates the crosstalk between different cell types and metabolic organs, by which he aims to identify diet-derived metabolites or small molecules that could be employed to prevent or treat metabolic disorders such as obesity and insulin resistance.

Dr. Emine Filiz Kölmek is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Urbanism at the College of Islamic Studies. Her research focuses on Islamic aesthetics, Ottoman architecture, urban transformation, and sustainability. She has contributed to scholarly discussions on the spatial organization of Topkapı Palace and methodological approaches for analyzing Islamic art and architecture. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed books and presented at international conferences, with ongoing work on sustainability in urban transformation and meaning in Islamic architecture.

Dr. Kölmek holds a PhD in Architecture from Middle East Technical University (METU), where she graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She earned her MA in Interior Architecture and her BA in Urban Design and Landscape Architecture from Bilkent University with a full scholarship. She is a recipient of the HBKU-CIS Research Cluster Grant for a book project on Islamic aesthetics, a collaborative research initiative led by HBKU faculty.

With more than ten years of professional experience, Dr. Kölmek worked as an urban designer and landscape architect at Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, leading key urban transformation projects, including Hıdırlık, İsmetpaşa, and AtıfbeyI; and contributing to Türkiye’s largest initiative, the New Mamak Project. She also taught architecture and design at Yıldırım Beyazıt University.

Dr. Vahdet Görmez, MD, is a Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Cognitive and Developmental Psychology at the College of Islamic Studies. Before this, he served as a Full Professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University (2023), following progressive academic appointments as an Assistant Professor at Bezmialem University (2014) and an Associate Professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University (2018).

Dr. Vahdet Görmez graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa’s School of Medicine in 2002. He completed core psychiatry training in London and higher specialist training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Oxford. He is also an internationally accredited cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) therapist, trainer, and supervisor. Dr. Görmez has authored over sixty peer-reviewed papers, edited key academic books, and delivered presentations at prestigious international conferences, advancing global discourse on youth mental health.

His career bridges clinical innovation, research excellence, and policy advocacy, with a focus on multidisciplinary approaches and CBT standardization. Having concluded his tenure at Istanbul Medeniyet University in 2024, he now contributes to HBKU’s academic mission while continuing to mentor future mental health professionals and shape evidence-based practices worldwide.

Anissa Jrad is a Project Analyst at the College of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, where she supports the college's administrative and operational functions. Her work focuses on developing, editing, and maintaining process guidelines and procedural documentation to ensure consistent and efficient operations across the college.

Before joining the College of Islamic Studies, Anissa gained professional experience at the Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics( HBKU), Qatar University, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and the Linguistic Data Consortium (LDC) at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Mohammad Ismail Albakri is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering. Dr. Albakri earned his PhD in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 2017. Before Joining Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Dr. Albakri held academic positions at Tennessee Technological University and Texas A&M University at Qatar.

Dr. Albakri’s research interests span the areas of smart materials and applied mechanics with a particular emphasis on additive manufacturing and nondestructive evaluation. Dr. Albakri is the founder of the Smart Materials and Structures Research laboratory where his research group combines analytical, numerical, data-driven, and experimental approaches to conduct research at the forefront of functional materials, mechanics, and manufacturing.

Dr. Albakri has authored numerous publications in leading scientific journals and has presented his work at prestigious conferences. He is also the recipient of several research and teaching awards in recognition of his achievements.

Dr. Seda Özalkan is a Research Fellow at the College for Islamic Studies (CIS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). She holds a PhD in Philosophy in Civilization Studies from Ibn Haldun University, with a dissertation on Ibn Khaldun’s political and educational theory and its philosophical foundations. She is trained in the philosophy of politics and education as well as in Islamic studies and continues her research at the intersection of these fields.

Dr. Mohammed Muslehuddin Musab is a researcher at the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). He is a multi-skilled professional with expertise in scientific research. His professional track record includes professional training, teaching, editing, auditing, translation, and interpretation. He also specializes in Shariah governance and supervision, Islamic jurisprudence, and principles of Islamic jurisprudence, especially in the law of inheritance in Islam.

Dr. Musab has deep interests in artificial intelligence, regulatory technology, and blockchain technology, as well as their practical applications. He applies a rigorous approach to knowledge and methodology. He is dedicated to bridging gaps between theoretical concepts and real-world implementation and fosters collaboration. Dr. Musab’s ultimate goal is to enhance community development and scholarly understanding.

Eman Khaled is an Arabic language instructor with extensive experience teaching Arabic to non-native speakers. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and is a certified Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) tester by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Before joining Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Khaled worked as a lecturer at the Language Center at the University of Jordan, where she taught Arabic to non-native speakers, including diplomats and international students. Khaled has taught at various institutions, including the University of Jordan and Qasid Institute, where she also developed curricula and presented the Qasid Arabic Podcast to support Arabic learners.

She focuses on engaging and practical language instruction. In addition to teaching, Eman has worked as a researcher, editor, and voiceover, contributing educational content to several media and language platforms.

Dr. Umar Farooq is a Research Fellow at the College of Islamic Studies and also a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience across academia and the corporate world in India and the Middle East. He currently manages the research division, overseeing the annual research clusters grant program, policy formulation, and the research reporting and repository administration.

He was an Assistant Professor at Rizvi Institute of Management Studies and Research (RIMSR) in India. He also directed daily operations for the MBA program, collaborating with industry for curriculum development and fostering industry-academia partnerships.

Dr. Farooq was an accredited trainer with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), conducting management and communication skills workshops. He partnered with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to enhance financial literacy, conducting targeted sessions across Mumbai, India. He also delivered workshops on financial acumen for non-finance professionals to senior executives of a Fortune 500 company in India.

He has worked as an industry analyst at the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) and as a consultant in the economic risk division of Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Financial Services, specializing in economic and policy analysis. He also served as a senior economic research consultant at Deutsches Asienforschungszentrum (DAfz), where he developed an economic model for the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.

Dr. Ruslan Nagayev is an Assistant Professor of Islamic Finance at the College of Islamic Studies. He holds a PhD in Islamic Finance from INCEIF University. His doctoral research earned him the President’s Award. He also has a Master’s degree in Islamic Finance and a BA in Business Administration.

Before academia, Dr. Nagayev worked in the oil industry, rising from a Cost Control Assistant to Chief Internal Auditor at multinational corporations. His experience has informed his research and teaching approach. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has taught over 150 credit hours across undergraduate and graduate courses at various institutions. His dedication earned him the Best Academic Performance Award at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Dr. Nagayev’s scholarly contributions include 20 articles in reputable journals like Energy Economics, Finance Research Letters, Borsa Istanbul Review, and Research in International Business and Finance. His research interests include Islamic finance, energy economics, capital markets, sustainability, and applied econometrics. He is involved in significant international projects, such as COMCEC initiatives and a project for the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and has provided consultancy services to the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB). He also served as the Vice Editor of the Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance (JIEF).