A research project into an accessible way to make recombinant proteins won the top prize at the annual research symposium, Meeting of the Minds 2023, at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q).
Martin Minenhle Sikhondze, a graduating student at CMU-Q, conducted the research project with faculty advisers Ihab Younis, Mazen Sidani and Ravichandra Bachu.
Recombinant proteins are used in a number of therapeutic applications, including the treatment of diabetes, cancer, infectious diseases, hemophilia, and anemia. Sikhondze’s research could make producing these proteins more accessible for developing countries with limited resources for healthcare.
CMU-Q Dean Michael Trick said that Martin and all of the award winners and presenters delivered on the school’s mission to investigate questions that will have a real impact on the world. The dean said they are exceptionally proud of their students and staff.
According to Sikhondze, he felt amazing and surprised to be recognised for the work he put into the project.
I aim to eventually move on to graduate school where I plan to better learn how to harness genome editing technologies to treat patients in a more global context.
As the top prize winner, Sikhondze received QAR15,000 from Masraf Al Rayan bank.
Winners of the most promising research award explores how knowledge, beliefs and willingness to change behaviour for climate change differ across genders. The poster was created by Rafay Ur Rehman Khan and Uzair Ahmed, with faculty advisors Jennifer Bruder and Taeyong Park.
The event was supported by the Planning and Statistics Authority, who provided special awards to the posters best representing Qatar National Vision 2030. This government office has been a strong supporter of Meeting of the Minds for many years.
This was the largest Meeting of the Minds symposium in WCM-Q history, with 51 posters submitted by students and researchers.
The full list of winners is on view at the CMU-Q website.
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