Topic: Exploring the Contribution of Diabetes-Related Genes to Diabetes Development through iPSC technology

Dr. Abdelalim currently holds the position of Senior Scientist at Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and serves as an Associate Professor at College of Health and Life Science (CHLS), Qatar Foundation. He obtained his PhD in Medical Science from Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan and subsequently worked as an Assistant Professor at the same institution. During his tenure at QBRI, Dr. Abdelalim established Qatar's first pluripotent stem cell program, with a specific emphasis on diabetes research. His research is focused on the use of human pluripotent stem cells to gain insights into the underlying pathophysiology of diabetes development and to produce functional pancreatic cells for potential cell therapy. His team has successfully generated over 100 induced PSC (iPSC) lines from a diverse range of patients with both monogenic and polygenic forms of diabetes. They have also pioneered innovative techniques for differentiating stem cells into insulin-producing and insulin-target cells. Dr. Abdelalim chairs the Steering Committee for the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI)-QBRI Agreement, overseeing the collaboration program between HSCI and QBRI in the field of diabetes and stem cell research. He also serves on the editorial boards of renowned journals like "Stem Cells and Development" and "Frontiers in Endocrinology" and acts as a reviewer for several funding agencies. Throughout his career, Dr. Abdelalim has authored over 70 articles in renowned scientific journals, secured multiple research grants, and received numerous prestigious awards. He is not only a dedicated researcher but also a committed educator and mentor, having supervised several graduate students at HBKU, whose work has gained national and international recognition.

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