Research at UAEU. By Professor Sehamuddin Galadari Vice Provost for Research & Graduate Studies

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1 Research at UAEU By Professor Sehamuddin Galadari Vice Provost for Research & Graduate Studies

2 GCC at the Asia-Pacific cross roads: an opportunity not to be missed

3 Challenges of advancement are opportunities for research! Environmental Epidemiological Research Occupational health Epidemiological Research

4 Population Dynamics and Health Research Population Dynamics and mixed populations Health Research Changes in Food Habits in the Arabian Peninsular has lead to an increase in prevalence of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders; Commonly observed in Western Countries Lipotoxicity & Metabolic Syndromes (e.g. Diabetes in the UAE-2 nd Globally)

5 UAEU and transformation to a research intensive university Visibility and international reputation of the region depends strongly on research efforts and outcome More importantly, an active and productive research environment is considered a necessary prerequisite for high quality education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels

6 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences FMHS Established in 1986 First Cohort began medical practice in 1994 Currently has 14 basic sciences and clinical departments >200 peer reviewed manuscripts/annum 299 th Globally (UniQs) 6

7 The return on investment Investing in infrastructure and technologies to accelerate health research in Al Ain, the UAE and the region FMHS- most productive research medical school (per number of faculty) in the Gulf region - highly ranked research institute in the region FMHS- has attained local know-how and expertise - receptive to cultural aspects of research in UAE Where is the proof?

8 The UAEU is a major contributor to biomedical research in UAE Institutions with 5 or more publications ( ) Published analysis indicate that FMHS was responsible for 48% of all biomedical publications in UAE (in the period ) while all hospitals accounted for 29% other universities and research institutions for 13% and 17% respectively

9 FMHS Research is Published in Leading International Journals The quality of research in FMHS is best illustrated by many publications in the major international journals. In the last two years FMHS members have published significant number of papers in the major international journals Journal Impact Factor American Journal of Epidemiology American Journal of Human Genetics American Journal of Medicine Applied and Environmental Microbiology Biochemistry & Biophysics Research Community Biochemistry Journal British Medical Journal Bone Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Cancer Research Clinical Experimental Allergy Clinical Immunology Development & Comparative Immunology Emerging Infectious Diseases European Journal of Cancer European Journal of Heart Failure European Journal of Immunology Experimental Neurology FASEB Journal Infection and Immunity Journal Impact Factor Journal of Biological Chemistry Journal of Chromatography Journal of Clinical Microbiology Journal of Immunology Kidney International Lancet Microbes and Infection Molecular Cancer Molecular Cancer Therapy Molecular Immunology Nature Nature Genetics Neurobiological Diseases Neurology Oncogene Radiat Res Science Stroke Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology Tuberculosis 3.899

10 Our research on the cover page of Brain research and European Journal of Immunology

11 Research Priority Groups Based on the projected need of the health of the nation and FMHS-UAEU research strengths Genetics and Development Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases Immunoregulation and Infection Neurosciences Oncology (tissue bank, cancer registry) Trauma Medical Education Contribution to the interdisciplinary approach to the major health issues in UAE (such as Trauma, Genetic Disorders and Diabetes), Enhancement of our competitiveness in obtaining extramural research funding and exposure in UAE medical community and internationally

12 Focused in our effort to invest in Wet labs. Help attract larger value, longerterm research grants and industry funding through the collaboration of key researchers and research groups. Improved capacity to lever more funding to maintain and expand these platforms (Analytical, Imaging, Molecular) Provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in highest quality research

13 Biomedical and Health Related Graduate Programs Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Master of Public Health (MPH) M.Sc. in Medical Sciences Track 1: Microbiology & Immunology Track 2: Pharmacology & Toxicology Track 3: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Basic Science Departments Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology M.A. Governance and Public Policy Master of Social Work Faculty of IT Master of IT Faculty of Science M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) M.Sc. In Bio-Technology Interdisciplinary PhDs: Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Genetics and Developmental Biology

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15 180 Number of enrolled students per Faculty per year Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Business and Economics Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty of Food and Agriculture Faculty of Science Faculty of Education Faculty of Law 0

16 Research opportunities in UAE and the region Projects in epidemiology which are being lead by the Community Medicine Department at FMHS involve unique environmental and occupational health research The prevalence of consanguineous marriages is extremely high in the UAE & the region This has lead to the presence of a unique gene pool available for investigation of various genetic and developmental diseases and syndromes

17 Genetic Disorders in the Arab World

18 Health challenges and their solutions increasingly transcend national borders An area for study, research and practice Places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide Emphasizes transnational health issues, determinants and solutions Involves many disciplines within and beyond the global health sciences Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration Merges population-based prevention with individual-level care Koplan et al, The Lancet (2010).

19 Global Health and the UAE: Asia Middle East Connections was held at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in January New Silk Road: Europe UAE-GCC Greater Middle East Mumbai Kuala Lumpur Singapore Shanghai Hong Kong

20 Global Health Institute key hub in the global network experts and scholars to research the health issues faced by the Nation and the wider Region.

21 Main areas of interest: Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, genetic disorders and injury Patterns and risk factors Social and family determinants Migrant health Epidemic disease and air travel Refugee physical and mental health Challenges facing local health systems.

22 Sharing Knowledge and Building Capacity for Excellence in Global Mental Health through Respectable Partnership. Richard Mollica (PI), Ossama Osman (Co-PI). In partnership with Prof Richard Mollica and the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma Developed Developing Countries Partnership for Chronic Disease Prevention: Dr Syed Shah, PI. Role of overweight and obesity in Metabolic Syndrome in youth: Childhood obesity in Emirati population and its cardio-metabolic consequences

23 Policy Development Research Education & Training Service Delivery & Capacity Building Europe and the region are in the right position for collaboration on these topics

24 In partnership we can reach our full potential