Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) recently hosted a visit by its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), an independent group of highly distinguished scientific experts. The Committee’s role is to advise QBRI on the quality, direction, focus, and impact of its applied biomedical research, which is relevant to the needs of Qatar, the wider Arab region, and the world. 

Chaired by Dr. Robert R. Ruffolo, Chairman of Aragen Biosciences, Inc. and Managing Director of Ruffolo Consulting, LLC, the committee meets on a bi-annual basis to provide its assessment of and recommendations for QBRI’s programs and progress. The recent SAC visit explored ways to maximize the quality and impact of research investments. It brought to the fore discussions on QBRI’s mission to create knowledge locally and support innovation aligned with the Qatar National Research Strategy priorities. QBRI fulfills this role by conducting cutting-edge and multidisciplinary applied biomedical research under Qatar Foundation’s precision health theme, and in coordination with the Qatari public and private sectors.

Dr. Omar Albagha, Acting Executive Director of QBRI, said: “We are delighted to welcome the esteemed members of QBRI’s Scientific Advisory Committee. We look forward to their constructive advice and recommendations.” 

The feedback from SAC evaluations will help direct the future of our research endeavors and help support the translation of new scientific discoveries into more efficient therapies and better preventative strategies, leading to the development of precision medicine.

Concluding the visit, Dr. Ruffolo said: "I am excited to be appointed as chair of QBRI’s Scientific Advisory Committee and look forward to working with my distinguished advisory committee colleagues to help guide the Institute’s scientific agenda. I am impressed by the innovative research environment, excellent science being conducted by QBRI’s scientists, and outstanding facilities.”  

“Qatar is unique in the region to have placed such importance on developing a national biomedical research center of excellence, and as a scientific advisory committee we are delighted to support the next generation of scientists in achieving new breakthroughs in biomedical research."

The QBRI SAC members are Dr. Al-Hareth M. Al-Khater, Senior Consultant Physician and Deputy Medical Director for Clinical Affairs at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR); Dr. Javaid I. Sheikh, Dean and Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar; Dr. Camillo Ricordi, Stacy Joy Goodman Professor of Surgery, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology, and Immunology, and Director of the Diabetes Research Institute and the Cell Transplant Center, University of Miami; Prof. Maria Grazia Spillantini, Professor of Molecular Neurology in the Clinical School of the University of Cambridge; and Prof. Juleen R. Zierath, Professor of Experimental Physiology at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and Professor of Integrative Physiology and Executive Director at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen. Kimberly Mathern is the Executive Secretary.