Dr Isra Marei, post-doctoral associate in pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) has been recognised recently by the L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program.

Dr Marei is one of the three winners in the Post-Doctorate Researchers category. She was recognised for her research on the development of 3D vascular drug screening platforms based on cord blood endothelial progenitor cells.

The regional programme is now in its seventh year and is part of L’Oréal-UNESCO’s global initiative that has recognised over 3,400 phenomenal researchers since its inception 22 years ago.

According to Dr Marei she feels very fortunate and humbled to be able to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people.

I am extremely grateful to my colleagues and to L’Oréal-UNESCO for giving me a wonderful boost that will help me to keep working as hard as I can to make valuable contributions to scientific discovery.

L’Oréal Middle East Managing Director Remi Chadapaux, said the seventh edition of L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program is a special year for them.

While we celebrate these exceptional women and their breakthrough research, recent events have also brought to light the need for a diversified approach to modern day solutions.

Today, we continue this legacy as the most highly regarded initiative in the region in an effort to support a group of women with outstanding dedication to improve the lives of people within our communities.

WCM-Q Professor Dr Khaled Machaca said this is an absolutely fantastic achievement, and they are extremely proud of Dr Marei.

It is wonderful that her dedication, intellectual curiosity and contribution to research have been recognised by one of the most prestigious international awards.

He said that Dr Marei’s recognition shows that women scientists in Qatar have the available opportunities and resources required to compete at the highest levels, thanks to the efforts of Qatar Foundation and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) for advancing research and supporting women scientists in Qatar.

Dr Marei has been extensively funded by QNRF through a Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award and, more recently, with an Early Career Research Award. Dr Marei’s host laboratory at WCM-Q has been supported by QNRF through multiple National Priorities Research Program and the Undergraduate Research Experience Program awards.

For updates and more information about WCM-Q, visit qatar-weill.cornell.edu.