ShareBy Nawara Fattahova
KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti female scientist, Hend Al-Qaderi, was among 14 Arab women scientists who were awarded at Expo 2020 Dubai for their remarkable discoveries in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Feb 11 at Expo 2020, the Foundation L'Oréal and UNESCO hosted the first For Women in Science Young Talents Awards Ceremony for the MENA region. The event took place at the Dubai Exhibition Center at Expo 2020 to honor and recognize 14 Arab female scientists from the MENA region for their groundbreaking research in the fields of life and environmental sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and computer sciences.
This program is part of the L'Oréal-UNESCO global For Women in Science initiative that has recognized over 3,900 phenomenal researchers and 122 laureates from more than 110 countries and regions since its inception in 1998. The ceremony awarded a total of 14 young talents - five from various countries in the GCC, three from Egypt and six from the Levant - in the PhD students and post-doctorate researchers categories - underscoring their role in resolving today's challenges as well as inspiring the future generation of females.
Since its inception in the region in 2010, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents program has awarded more than 160 female scientists and 11 female laureates from MENA. Among them, 16 Arab female scientists have also won an additional international recognition through the International Rising Talent program.
According to the latest UNESCO Science Report published in June 2021, although the number of women in scientific careers is increasing, reaching just over 33 percent of researchers worldwide, this evolution is still too slow. Kuwait Times interviewed Dr Qaderi, who was awarded for her research on the use of oral fluids as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early diagnosis and disease management of COVID-19 and other inflammatory diseases.
Greater responsibility
Kuwait Times: How do you feel about being one of the five GCC awarding winners in this program? Did you expect it?
Dr Hend Al-Qaderi: I feel more determined and sense a greater amount of responsibility on my shoulders. I didn't expect to win this award, as I heard it is very competitive. Winning this award will open doors for me, and not only as financial support for my research. This award will provide a high level of endorsement that will help me highlight my research findings in the media and collaborate with colleagues in the field around the world.
I want to show researchers at the global level that women in the Middle East can conduct high-caliber research and achieve great things, and L'Oréal will deliver this message. I am grateful for opportunities like this to use my voice to encourage up-and-coming scientists about the importance of science and give them the motivation and strategies to become successful.
KT: How long did you work on your research on the use of oral fluids as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early diagnosis and disease management of COVID-19 and other inflammatory diseases?
Dr Qaderi: I started working on my research focused on understanding the role of oral biomarkers in diagnosing systemic diseases when I joined my doctoral program at Harvard University 10 years ago - in 2012. I was part of one of the largest longitudinal studies in the Middle East, where we collected data from over 8,000 Kuwaiti children to study risk factors of obesity and diabetes. The oral biomarkers we identified and the lifestyle data allowed us to predict diabetes and obesity outcomes and make recommendations for lifestyle and system changes to healthcare providers and those involved in public health policy matters to reduce diabetes amongst Kuwaiti children.
I am now leading a large COVID-19 cohort study to assess the changes in oral bacteria and oral immune response to COVID-19 infection in people with mild cases of COVID-19 compared to those who developed severe cases of the disease. This research will further our understanding of oral bacteria that could potentially explain the immune response and allow us to generate a 'frontline' defense against infection and suppress the progression of clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
KT: Who supported you or sponsored your research?
Dr Qaderi: L'Oréal-UNESCO, the J Craig Venter Institute in the US, the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait, Harvard University and the Ministry of Health in Kuwait.
KT: How many people participated in your research? Was it easy to find them?
Dr Qaderi: The recruitment and sample collection processes were extremely challenging, as they took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were dealing with critically ill people with a highly contagious disease. Yet, we were able to collect 2,000 blood and saliva samples from 130 participants at three points throughout the course of the COVID infection. I am thankful to the study team and the participants for understanding the importance of this research and volunteering their time and samples during their hospital admittance. Without their participation, we couldn't have completed this research.
KT: Have you been involved in other researches?
Dr Qaderi: Besides studying the oral biomarkers in diabetes and COVID, I am researching and comparing the successes and failures between white and silver dental fillings. In addition, my other clinical research focuses on identifying valid criteria for successful partial root canal treatment in which the dental pulp (dental nerve) can heal, regenerate and remain vital.
This treatment involves removing only the infected nerve tissue (not the entire pulp nerve in the canal) and sealing the root canal with a biocompatible material. This partial pulp therapy keeps teeth vitalized. It can be used as an alternative to an invasive root canal treatment procedure, which is expensive, painful, complex and requires a specialist.
KT: Can your research help students of medicine?
Dr Qaderi: Yes, medicine and dental medicine are integrated and strongly linked. Students in medicine and dentistry are involved in my COVID research, making our research more accurate and effective. Together, we can examine COVID-19 from many aspects and develop a holistic picture.
KT: Who can benefit more from this research - individuals or institutions?
Dr Qaderi: Our priority is to improve the quality of patients' lives, alleviate their pain and suffering, and do it on a wide scale. We hope institutions will utilize our findings to optimize public health.
KT: Do you think it will be applied soon in Kuwait or in other countries?
Dr Qaderi: Even though the samples were collected in Kuwait, my research findings will apply to every country in the world. My research deals with COVID-19, and the results will help further our understanding of the oral biomarkers that can explain the immune response and allow us to generate a 'frontline' defense against infection and suppress the progression of clinical symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
Women's challenges
KT: Do you think that female scientists have equal opportunities as male scientists in our region?
Dr Qaderi: While I acknowledge that most of my male coworkers are supportive and receptive, there are still some outdated attitudes that women belong in the kitchen, must care for children and shouldn't deal with challenging work. And these attitudes are not only present in the Middle East - I've experienced them in the West as well. Therefore, finding the right coworkers and a supportive environment is crucial for any woman to grow and thrive.
Yes, women will likely continue facing challenges in their scientific careers down the road, including fewer opportunities compared to male scientists. Still, I believe we can overcome these challenges by gaining more experience and skills in our careers and building confidence and emotional intelligence over time. Women can change misconceptions some people have by building successful and productive careers and working in the right environment. At this stage of my career, I know that we achieve more when men and women work together and support each other.
KT: Do you think that scientists in Kuwait need support and attention?
Dr Qaderi: I believe that the research infrastructure in Kuwait and the Middle East is still emerging, and the field is full of challenges and hurdles that make it unattractive to young researchers. To make the field more attractive and to set scientists up for success in Kuwait, we need more organizations to follow L'Oréal's leadership in supporting junior researchers to become leaders in this field and accomplish high-caliber research.
With more opportunities and support to young researchers, we will see more and more of them becoming actively engaged in impactful areas of society and science. As a result, we will see positive societal changes and scientific advancements for the betterment of all people. I hope that Kuwait and other countries in the region follow L'Oréal and establish supportive networks and solid strategies for researchers in the Middle East.
I strongly believe that engaging women in science is crucial, as women can bring unique perspectives to research and scientific conversations. Some public health and medical issues affect women more than men, so women have a distinctive motivation to research these issues and are well-positioned to find solutions. Having more women in scientific research can bring diversity and make research more effective and accurate, impacting both men and women.
