A Sharjah lecturer on a mission to boost breast cancer survival rates and an Abu Dhabi researcher out to save the planet were among the winners of a prestigious regional award celebrating the achievements of women in science.
The L’Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Programme recognises enterprising females making a crucial contribution in vital fields such as health care, the environment and space exploration each year.
The scheme, organised in partnership with Abu Dhabi's Khalifa University of Science and Technology, has delivered more than Dh3 million of funding to 51 Arab women since it was launched in 2014.
Post doctorate winners receive grants of €20,000 (Dh78,627), with PhD researchers securing €8,000 to support their work in sciences and maths.
Follow what you’re passionate about. You will reach it one day
Noha Mousaad Elemam
This year's 11 beneficiaries were honoured at a ceremony held at The St Regis Dubai, The Palm.
Advancing cancer research
Noha Mousaad Elemam, a senior lecturer in immunology at the University of Sharjah, said the accolade gave her belief she was on the "right track" in her efforts to boost understanding of breast cancer.
Ms Elemam, 33, is working to develop biomarkers, which will help to detect the disease earlier in the hope of saving more lives.
The funds will allow her to broaden her research.
“I had to read the message [informing her of her win] three times to make sure it was really true," she said.
"It is a blessing that came at the right time. It was also very unexpected. But at the same time, it felt like a message that I was on the right track and to continue in what I was doing."
Her message to others hoping to make a difference in the world is simple.
“Follow what you’re passionate about. You will reach it one day.”
Ms Elemam said she was compelled to take action during the Covid-19 pandemic, when cases of breast cancer exceeded those of lung cancer for the first time.
“I’ve had personal experiences where I’ve seen members of the family suffer from other diseases, where actually their immune system plays a role," she said.
"So whether it was viral infections or other disorders, this was one of the things that triggered me throughout my childhood – that I want to understand the immune system, I want to know how it can control all these diseases and how just a small malfunction can change the whole system.
"The prize money will help pursue further research."
Addressing climate change
Sara Ishaq Alkhoori, 28, a PhD research student at Khalifa University, is exploring how biofuel production can be used to mitigate carbon emissions and safeguard the environment.
"My research involves producing and using biofuels from a renewable source like palm oil to create safe and clean transport fuel that can alleviate negative effects on the climate," she said.
“This aligns perfectly with the UAE Year of Sustainability and Cop28's global climate goals."
The young mother said her family's support has helped her to pursue her ambitions.
“Today I know that the support system that I had – my husband first and then my family, my academic adviser – they all really stood by my side and supported me in everything," she said.
"That was really a critical for me to continue in the field of science. And I think this would be a challenge for some young scientists but it shouldn’t stop from chasing their dreams or following their passion – that shouldn’t be the case.”
She sent out an inspiring message to other women with high aspirations.
“Embrace your passion, believe in your abilities and never let anything hold you back. Keep pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes and inspiring future generations of women in science. We have the power to make a difference," she said.
UAE minister hails female 'game-changers'
The annual programme is supported by another trailblazer, Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency.
“The extraordinary accomplishments and dedication of women scientists in the region has paved the way for progress in various fields, influencing everything from health care and technology to environment sustainability and space exploration,” she said.
“Initiatives like the one by the Foundation L’Oréal and Unesco has been empowering female game-changers, encouraging more women into Stem [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] careers, and paving the way towards diversity. Such programmes create a necessary foundation in our pursuit for scientific progress, innovation and a more inclusive society.”
Ms Al Amiri was included on the 2022 Time100 Impact Awards list, which honoured global leaders who are effecting change.
She was also part of the BBC's 100 Women 2020, recognising the most influential women of the year.
Laurent Duffier, managing director of L’Oréal Middle East, said the awards scheme aimed to inspire future generations of women scientists.
"When these remarkable researchers are celebrated and their achievements spotlighted, it serves as a catalyst for other women, compelling them to embrace and pursue careers in Stem," said Mr Duffier.
"We invested a total of Dh3.4 million in endowments to propel their research aspirations. This financial support has done more than just fund projects. It provided the young female scientists the means to convert their scientific visions into tangible discoveries to broaden the impact they can bring to the scientific community and beyond, as well as to enrich lives on a grand scale."
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Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
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Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
FA Cup fifth round
Chelsea v Manchester United, Monday, 11.30pm (UAE), BeIN Sports
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Director: Jon M Chu
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The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
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Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
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