KUWAIT: Dr Intisar Al-Hatlani, one of six winners of the the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, called for more financial support for scientific research in Kuwait. “To foster innovation, we need greater funding for high-impact research that can address both local and global challenges. This includes providing the necessary resources to acquire advanced technologies and equipment, which are often very expensive,” she said.

A professor of chemistry at the College of Science at Kuwait University, Al-Hatlani stressed the importance of sustained funding to cover ongoing project costs, including chemicals and other essential materials.

In an interview with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Dr Al-Hatlani expressed her immense pride in being recognized as part of the 11th edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program, a prestigious initiative in partnership with Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

The winners of the 2024 awards were announced on November 19, and Dr Al-Hatlani was one of six exceptional Arab female scientists honored for their groundbreaking contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The award recognizes researchers who are driving transformative projects with global implications, such as tackling climate change, advancing biotechnology, and improving public health. Dr Al-Hatlani was specifically recognized for her pioneering work in forensic chemistry.

A win for Kuwait

Dr Al-Hatlani shared that this achievement was not just a personal honor, but a win for Kuwait, Kuwait University, and all those who have supported her journey. “This award is not just for me; it is a recognition of the hard work and dedication of everyone who has contributed to this success,” she said. Dr Al-Hatlani, who also serves as the director of the Master’s Program in Forensic Science at Kuwait University, explained that the award represents years of research and collaboration. “To be one of only three women from the Gulf to win this highly competitive award is a tremendous honor,” she added. She recalled her 2020 victory of the Jaber Al-Ahmad Award for Young Researchers, which is granted by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences. She explained that receiving this earlier award also helped propel her career.

Her research, which contributed to her winning the award, has focused on significant advancements in forensic chemistry, particularly in drug and toxin detection. Her team’s work has explored innovative ways to identify harmful substances in samples such as saliva, blood serum, and even beverages. Additionally, Dr Al-Hatlani’s team has developed new methods for fingerprint analysis to detect the presence of drugs or toxic metals.

Moral support

In addition to Dr Al-Hatlani, other 2024 awardees include Fatima Alshamsi (UAE) for her work in transcriptomics, Dr Hiam Souheil Chemaitelly (Lebanon) for infectious diseases, Israa Al-Hussain Al-Hassan Othman (Sudan) for nanomaterials and photocatalysis, Dr Leena Ali Ibrahim (Palestine-Bulgaria) for neuroscience, and Taiba Alamoudi (Saudi Arabia) for marine science. Together, these women represent the forefront of scientific innovation in the region.

Dr Al-Hatlani emphasized the importance of such awards in encouraging women scientists in the region. “Receiving a scientific award is the highest recognition a researcher can receive. It not only acknowledges the impact of your work but also provides vital moral and psychological support that motivates you to continue striving for excellence,” she said.

Looking ahead, Dr Al-Hatlani remains focused on expanding her research and contributing to the scientific community. She hopes to establish a state-of-the-art forensic chemistry laboratory at Kuwait University, which will serve as a hub for international collaboration and knowledge exchange.