An Interview with a Medical Research Scientist

How would you introduce yourself?

I am a medical research scientist by profession. My research expertise lies within the areas of molecular genetics and immunotherapy for cancers and other genetically associated morbidities.

I hold a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology from the University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom. I am also currently pursuing a PhD. degree in Medical Sciences at the College of Medicine at Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

How and when did you begin your career as a medical researcher?

I began my research career as a research group scientist at the University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom, in 2011. Here my research was centered on the post-translational modifications in Sickle Cell Anemia in order to develop a neutralized & stable hemoglobin molecule that is able to counter the mutational effects of the disease.

What is your current expertise?

Currently, I am working as an Academic Research Associate at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), Doha, Qatar. I joined the NCCCR in 2013 and have been devoted to cancer research since then. My research here is closely centered on the Molecular and Immuno-genetics aspects of cancers like screenings for molecular biomarkers, cancer therapeutics, discovery of therapeutic drugs and drug analogues, validation of DNA vaccines, Pharmacogenomics / Personalized and Precision medicine. My work at the NCCCR has led me to identify novel and intriguing findings and present these at many local and international conferences.

I am particularly interested in the development of immunotherapies for cancers. I have chosen to focus on immunotherapy, as I believe it has as an edge over the current practices of treating cancer patients with chemotherapies, radiotherapies or other chemically-formulated drugs. The promise of immunotherapy is to use the patient's own immune system to target and kill the cancer cells and tumors, thereby negating the need to administer any external treatment, radiation or chemically-synthesized drugs that tag along numerous side-effects. One way this can be achieved, is by isolating the cancer patient's T-cells and modifying /treating them in-vitro to recognize and kill the cancer cells/tumors, thus preparing them for reinfusion back into the patient; a procedure called adoptive T-cell transfer. This research agenda paves the way towards a reliable and robust personalized therapy for cancer patients.

My recent research project focusses on evaluating the humoral and cellular immune responses against Onco-viruses and Cancer Testis Antigens. This research initiative was undertaken with an aim towards developing precision immuno-therapies for Head and Neck Cancer patients within the MENA region.

I have also been a member of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASGH) and also serve as an editor and reviewer for a many academic journals on Leukemia and other cancers.

How does your research career project you in terms of academic writing?

As an active medical researcher since the past seven years, research and academic writing has been a constant part of my career. As a scientific writer I have authored a number of articles that have been published in high impact factor medical journals. I have also written mini-reviews, commentaries and short abstracts for various international medical conferences. In addition, my editorial responsibilities towards certain associated journals include critically reviewing, commenting and revising scientific and academic papers written by renowned researchers and scientists from around the globe.

Writing has long interested me and still remains to be one most favorite hobbies. I believe that excellence in scientific writing is brought about through the organized streamlining of ones thought and the process of efficiently transforming these thoughts into words.

Academic and scientific writing will remain to be a continuous part of my research career and therefore I find myself constantly striving to improve my writing and editorial skills.