Research at QBRI
Discover and develop strategies for early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders, with an emphasis on autism in Qatar and beyond.
Translate discoveries into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for diabetes and associated disorders in Qatar and beyond.
Develop diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies to optimize cancer care with a focus on breast cancer in Qatar and beyond.
News and Insights
QBRI Supports Autism Awareness Through Science and Community Action
HBKU’s Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) participated in Autism Awareness Month with a series of public events and initiatives, fulfilling its role as an advocate for awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
QBRI’s Neurological Disorders Research Center (NDRC) participated in several community-focused initiatives, including the annual Autism Awareness Day held at Al Shaqab in collaboration with Renad Academy. As part of the event, NDRC engaged directly with the community through an interactive awareness booth, sharing insights on QBRI’s autism research, conducting educational and fun activities, and connecting with families, caregivers, and educators. The booth also featured QBRI’s eye-tracking technology, a promising tool designed to support the early detection and diagnosis of ASD.
NDRC team members also conducted educational sessions for students at Qatar Primary School for Boys and Omamah Bint Hamzah Girls School. At Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, they demonstrated the eye-tracking technology to students and staff in the Biological Sciences program and engaged with faculty members to explore opportunities for future collaboration. During Qatar National Library’s “Sensory Exploration: A Family Day” the team connected with families of children with autism, offering guidance and sharing updates on ongoing research and support initiatives.
In addition to in-person events, QBRI amplified its outreach through impactful digital content. A key highlight was a filmed video interview featuring a mother and her son, who shared their personal journey with autism and reflected on the importance of continued research and support. QBRI also shared expert perspectives through its public online platforms, including an article by Dr. Abeer Al-Shammari, Scientist, Neurological Disorders Research Center at QBRI, which emphasized the critical role of community engagement in driving autism research forward. The awareness month activities concluded with a recap summarizing key initiatives and expressing appreciation to national partners and stakeholders for their continued support.
QBRI’s commitment to supporting Autism Awareness Month in Qatar advances its mission to improve the effectiveness of healthcare and quality of life across Qatar and the region, while contributing to research of global relevance.
Partners
As a global center for biomedical and translational research, QBRI continues to actively leverage common interests through partnerships and long-term collaborations with renowned national and international institutions.
Events
QBRI stands as a biomedical research institute dedicated to addressing pressing health challenges in the region. Recognizing the underrepresentation of Arab populations in research, our mission extends beyond borders. We aspire to elevate QBRI into a global nexus for biomedical and translational research, fostering extensive collaborations worldwide. I take pride in our endeavors, propelling us towards enhancing healthcare in Qatar and beyond.
Dr. Omar Albagha
Acting Executive Director
Uniquely positioned within Qatar’s biomedical R&D landscape, QBRI serves as a cornerstone for excellence in research, entrepreneurial innovation, and clinical translation in the areas of cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders—key health challenges with significant unmet needs in the local population. As Director of QBRI’s Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), my ambition is to advance the development and implementation of precision oncology in Qatar. I aim to foster multi-level collaborations and elevate TORC’s basic, translational, and clinical research, with the ultimate goal of delivering groundbreaking discoveries and targeted therapies to cancer patients.
Dr. Vladimir L. Katanaev
Scientific Director, Translational Oncology Research Center
QBRI features multi-interdisciplinary infrastructures and aims to enhance health care management for diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders by conducting cutting-edge research and translating discoveries into clinical settings—thereby improving patient well-being and enabling the implementation of precision medicine. As Scientific Director of the Diabetes Research Center (DRC), I aspire to propel the DRC to a new level in line with global scientific standards, mobilize international collaborations, drive breakthroughs in precision diabetes care, and develop effective strategies for the prevention and intervention of metabolic disorders such as obesity.
Dr. Cong-Yi (CY) Wang
Principle Investigator and Scientific Director, Diabetes Research Center