Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) have signed a gift agreement with Emirati Cardiologist Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed in the presence of MBRU Vice Chancellor Dr. Amer Sharif, Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Dean of the College of Medicine, and four of the awardees Dr. Tom Loney, Associate Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology at MBRU, and his research collaborator Dr. Luai Awad Ahmed, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University. Dr. Matthew Kroh, Chairman of the Digestive Disease Institute, and Associate Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, with Dr. Juan S. Barajas-Gamboa, Research Staff, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed has been a pivotal figure in MBRU’s quest to give back to the community. In 2018, Dr. Wael and MBRU collaborated on the MBRU-AlMahmeed Research Award, the first of its kind at the university, focusing on scientific research. The award was open to scientists in the UAE and GCC. In May of 2019, a second cycle of the award was released. It will support competitive proposals of basic, translational, clinical or public health research. Priority is given to proposals in the areas of cancer biology, mental health and brain sciences, and cardio-metabolic diseases; including diabetes mellitus and obesity.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai presented Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed with the first ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Investing in Scientific Research’ by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in recognition of his efforts in support of research and the scientific community in the UAE. The Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Investing in Scientific Research will be awarded annually to individuals who have played an instrumental role in the advancement of scientific research.

Research at MBRU focuses on addressing national health challenges in areas of high burden diseases for the UAE, which is in line with national priorities and the National Advanced Sciences Agenda 2031. Research projects at the university are underway in cardiometabolic diseases (including Diabetes Mellitus), cancer, mental health and wellbeing, neurodevelopmental disorders, respiratory and infectious diseases, DNA sequencing, as well as dentistry.

MBRU aims to deliver high impact translational research with a clear objective to ultimately enhance clinical practice, health policy and the health of the community.