VP honours top scientists
200 Scholars vied for the prestigious scientific award
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday honoured a group of scientists who made exceptional achievements in their field. They were chosen from a pool of 200 scientists who were nominated for the ‘MBR Medal Of Scientific Distinguishment’.
Among the awardees were Dr Lahaz Al Ghazali, professor of medical genetics and paediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the UAE University, and Dr Ali Al Mansouri, professor of chemical engineering at the Khalifa University. Both of them won the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today, we witness a special state of active science in the UAE. The results of science is a common product for all of humanity, and preparing our human resources and talents to contribute in enhancing the scientific movement is the only way to improve our civil position and make a contribution in making the future. We are proud of the advanced science levels our sons have achieved, and we are waiting for great work and efforts for more achievements.”
He also honoured Dr Omar Yaghi, founding director of Berkeley International Institute of Science and co-director of the Cavalli Institute of Energy and Nanoscience, for his lifetime achievements.
The recognition took place during the annual meetings at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academy of Scientists that was attended by over 150 scholars.
Sheikh Mohammed said that with the leadership of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country has been supporting the industry to build a new generation of scientists.
Dr Lahaz is one of the first scientists in the world to succeed in identifying recessive genes that cause more than 40 genetic disorders among the Arab population.
She is the first physician to describe the “pathological characteristics” of genetic disorders in the UAE, publishing more than 250 research articles and specialised reviews. More than 200 of these had been done at the UAE University and were published in some of the world’s leading scientific journals.
Dr Al Mansouri, on the other hand, began his career in the university in 2006 by teaching and conducting scientific research in chemical engineering and systems of operations. More than 70 of his scientific articles have been published in prestigious international publications on the development of a sustainable, clean and renewable energy infrastructure.