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The United Arab Emirates University was awarded a
3 star rating
by the Global Star Rating System for Services on 25/03/2021
The College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) and the United Arab Emirates University
(UAEU) put a strong emphasis on all aspects of biomedical research, from undergraduate
students to all faculty members. Research encompasses laboratory research, experimental
animal research, in addition to all aspect of clinical research.
The CMHS is keen:
To foster and encourage intramural research by students, residents, and faculty at
all levels;
To develop and support the research skills of new national faculty and staff with
no prior research experience;
To support and develop clinical research by other institutions and hospitals, especially
now that research is becoming an important factor for hiring and promotion of medical
staff in the country;
To develop collaborative research projects with other institutions;
To provide support through courses, conferences, etc.
Capabilities
The College of Medicine & Health Sciences continues to contribute to the UAEU's mission
of being a leading research-intensive University. Our current research efforts are
targeted towards solving health issues relevant to the UAE and the wider population,
e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular & neurological diseases, genetic & immunological diseases,
cancer, and injuries & accidents. Research can either be laboratory-based or clinical/community
based.
A range of research grants are available for academic and scientific staff and graduate
students. Our faculty can also apply for national and international grants, and collaborate
with researchers abroad on multidisciplinary projects. CMHS researchers actively publish
their research in international peer-reviewed journals and have made some significant
scientific breakthroughs. The CMHS continues to be a leader in developing and supporting
biomedical research.
Research areas within each department include:
Effect of pancreas transplantation on the metabolic parameters of animal models of
diabetes.
Role of neuropeptides on insulin and glucagon secretion from the pancreas
Morphological basis of diabetes complications.
Aetiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Repair of articular cartilage by the introduction of cultured chondrocytes or stem
cells.
Cellular bioenergetics of the central nervous system
Investigating the role of epigenetics in type 2 diabetes.
Gain better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in psychiatric illnesses.
Studies the reorganisation of the neuronal circuitry in the dorsal horn of the spinal
cord after peripheral nerve injury.
Investigating the types of primary afferent fibers that are critical for the development
of neuropathic pain and identifying the ascending spinal projection pathways which
are responsible for transmitting visceral pain to the brain.
Investigating the mechanisms of deep brain stimulation.
Proliferation and differentiation programs of gastric and mammary gland stem cells.
Potential use of isolated gastric and dental stem cells in tissue engineering for
regenerative medicine.
How shuttle changes in expression of genes mediated by epigenetic regulatory interactions
leads to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardiovascular
disease and hypertension.
Molecular toxicology and cellular oxidative stress.
Peptides with therapeutic potential from frog skin.
Protein misfolding and neurodegenerative diseases.
Sphingolipid signaling and its role in cancer therapy.
Mechanisms of Transcriptional Regulation in Chromatin.
Neuromodulation of the immune response.
Molecular Basis of Pathogenesis.
Study the function of Parkinson’s disease associated genes.
Use of reflective portfolios tutor support and feedback to students in a family medicine
clerkship.
Improving patient care by providing physicians with clinical decision support at the
point-of-care.
Geriatrics, preventive medicine and obesity.
Allergy & Asthma.
Cardiovascular disease.
Dermatology.
Obesity.
Diabetes.
Gastrointestinal diseases.
Genetics.
Hypertension.
Hematological diseases.
Nutrition-antioxidant & oxidative damage.
Obesity.
Renal disease.
Rheumatic disease.
Sleep disorders.
Stroke/neurological disorders.
Occupational toxicology and public health.
Statistical modeling of diabetes and cardio-vascular complications, neuro-degenerative
diseases (Alzheimer’s), advanced survival analysis and mixed effects modeling.
Occupational and environmental health.
Non-communicable chronic diseases epidemiology and prevention.
Lifestyle and health and evidence-based medicine.
Surveillance and control of infectious diseases.
Injury surveillance/trauma registration.
Tobacco addiction and HIV/AIDS prevention in the UAE.
Infectious diseases and public health services.
Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease.
Work-related injuries and mental health.
Human performance optimization of personnel employed in challenging environments.
Exercise prescription for public health.
Measurement issues related to human physiological monitoring.
Epidemiology of non-communicable diseases amongst migrant workers.
Mental and psychological health and in the promotion of women's occupational wellness.
Traffic safety and non-communicable diseases.
Student and Faculty Perceptions of Faculty Evaluation.
Effective Use of a Medical School Curriculum Management System Integrated Medical
Education.
Effective Use of an Electronic Assessment System including question management and
data banks as well as assessment delivery and analysis.
Profile of Medical Students’ Learning Styles.
Factors that determine Medical Students’ Residency Choice.
Students’ Self-Assessment.
Students’ research activities through the lens of Transformative Learning Theory.
Developing high quality single best answer multiple choice questions (MCQs): Description
of an enhancement-focused strategy.
YouTube video enhancing senior medical students’ learning.
Students’ access to patients in obstetrics & gynecology.
Study of human organ specific autoimmune diseases using experimental models .
Role of cytokines and innate immunity in autoimmune diseases.
Regulatory pathways, susceptibility and pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders.
Modulation of immunity to infection by cytokine-expressing bacterial vectors.
Immunotherapy of experimental tumors using live, attenuated bacteria .
Role of Toll-like receptor pathway in immunopathogenesis of bacterial infections.
Molecular and cellular pathological aspects in autoimmunity.
Effector mechanisms in immune-mediated diabetes and neuropathology.
Molecular epidemiology of multi and pan-resistant Gram negative pathogens.
Population genetics and epidemiology of community and hospital acquired MRSA.
Pathogenesis of Acinetobacter baumanii infections.
Retroviral RNA packaging and RNA transport.
Retroviral vectors and DNA vaccines.
Regulation of viral gene expression.
EBV latency and persistence.
Role of EBV in the pathogenesis of human malignancies.
EBV and Multiple Sclerosis.
Viruses and cancer biology.
Immune modulation by parasite glycans.
The projects involve state-of-art methodologies and techniques in molecular biology,
immunology and various fields of microbiology.
Fetal growth behavior during maternal fasting.
Fetal growth and pregnancy out come in GDM.
Fetal abnormalities.
Placenta perfusion studies.
Medical education: learning style and acquisition of clinical skills.
Epidemiology of Pelvic Flood Dysfunction.
Management of Pelvic Flood Dysfunction.
Gynecological laparoscopic surgery – Evaluation of laparoscopic courses and their
impact on clinical practice.
Knowledge, attitude & practice towards the Human Papillomavirus infection & vaccine.
Cervical screening.
Laboratory and clinical research in neonatology, neurology, infectious diseases, pulmonary,
genetics, inborn errors of metabolism, immunology, cardiology, pharmacology, toxicology,
gastroenterology, hematology and oncology.
Epidemiological studies relevant to UAE (eg. Tuberculosis, vitamin D deficiency).
A birth defect registry for Al Ain Medical District was established, and the registry
gained membership in the International Clearing House for Birth Defects.
Metabolic disorders common in the UAE.
Growth curves for the entire UAE population.
Epidemiology of congenital heart disease.
Fetal growth by customized birth weight percentiles.
Role of maternal overweight and obesity on neonatal outcomes.
Biomarkers for potential use in identifying renal tubular damages associated with
urinary tract infections.
Usage of anti-epileptic drugs (e.g., vigabatrin and lamotrigine) by pregnant women.
Determine the impact of folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementations on the frequency
of these anomalies.
Use of fetal blood cells for toxicology analysis.
Effects of respiratory pathogens and other toxins on lung tissue bioenergetics (cellular
respiration and ATP content) and caspase activation.
Effects of various cytotoxic agents on human and animal tissues.
Determine the mechanisms of diseases common in the UAE: cardiovascular disorders,
lipid abnormalities and diabetes mellitus.
Cost-benefit of laboratory investigations.
Epidemiological studies of lymphoma in Arab populations.
Identify the molecular basis of genodermatoses.
Identify diseases, genes and mutations underlying recessive disorders.
Elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying human genetic disorders
Determining the causes and mechanisms of human diseases prevalent in UAE, with particular
emphasis on cardiovascular disorders, lipid disorders and gestational diabetes
Cost-benefit of laboratory investigations.
Reference intervals in clinical chemistry and hematology for the UAE population.
Epidemiological studies of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the Gulf Arab population.
Identification of the molecular basis of genodermatoses.
Correlating genotypes and phenotypes in cystic fibrosis.
Collection of a DNA database for UAE nationals and their families.
Basic neurophysiology and experimental clinical neurophysiology.
Aging and neurodegenerative disorders.
cardiovascular function and diabetes.
Gastrointestinal electrophysiology.
Pathophysiologic mechanisms of air particulate pollution.
Diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy and clinical studies on lower gastrointestinal
hormones in diabetes and obesity and the role of novel growth-related genes in cancer.
Gene expression in cancer cachexia.
Novel therapeutics in cancer.
Biological and genetic research.
Diagnosis and classification of psychiatric disorders.
Epidemiological studies as well as other primary health care and community based projects
to investigate psychiatric morbidity among adult, geriatric and child population.
Imaging in cancer.
Radio contrast media (RCM) research.
Assessment of genetic diseases and congenital malformations
neuro-imaging.
Basic radiological research – including animal studies
Malignant gastroduodenal disease.
Acute care surgery and trauma management.
Trauma management, injury prevention.
‘Point-of-care’ critical care ultrasound and acute care surgery.
Regional distribution and propagation of electrical activities in the isolated guinea-pig
urinary bladder.
Slow wave conduction disturbances proximal and distal to ileal end-to-end anastomosis
following ileocystoplasty.
Curcumin provides incomplete protection of the kidney in ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Effect of Aliskiren on renal dysfunction following ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Acute care surgery, particularly pancreatitis and abdominal sepsis.
Study of the management of peripheral arterial disease in Gulf countries.
Comparing clinical outcomes of various refractive procedures such as Advanced Corneal
Surface Ablation and Femtosecond Thin-Flap LASIK.
Research Priority Groups
The CMHS has established different Research Priority Groups to facilitate research.
These include:
The Diabetes and Cardiovascular Research Priority Group (DCRG) was established in
the autumn of 2001 alongside other research priority groups. The DCRG works closely
with the Al Ain Diabetes Research Group and the Emirates Diabetes Society.
The group aims to:
Facilitate diabetes and cardiovascular research in the College of Medicine.
Enhance basic and clinical research capabilities of established diabetes investigators.
Act as a channel for research funding.
Act as a resource for new faculty members and for those who may want to start research
in diabetes/cardiovascular diseases.
Present scientific research at national and international scientific conferences.
Publish scientific research in national and international scientific journals.
Cooperate and liaise with any local, national or international agency with similar
research interests.
Train post-doctoral, doctoral, masters and bachelor’s degree students.
Act as a resource unit on diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Consanguineous marriages are prevalent in the UAE population and therefore recessively
inherited single gene disorders occur more frequently in the UAE than in other populations
with over 170 recessive disorders have been reported so far. In addition, the incidence
of multifactorial diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, neurodegenerative
and cardiovascular diseases have been steadily rising in the UAE over the past few
decades. This is mainly due to the rapid socioeconomic growth and a significant rise
in life expectancy as a result of improved health care systems. The rapid increase
in the prevalence of multifactorial diseases also suggest genetic predisposition to
those diseases revealed by rapid changes in lifestyle including diet.
The mission of the Genetics and Development Research Priority Group is to provide
the highest quality research into the basis of genetic diseases prevalent in UAE,
provide high quality healthcare and education. In support of its mission, the group
strives to (1) define the extent of genetic, developmental and multifactorial disorders
in the country; (2) be the leading source of research into the causes and pathogenesis
of these disorders and (3) seek new approaches to diagnosis, treatment and prevention
of such disorders. Our mission is also to educate the next generation of health care
leaders by providing continuing professional development to physicians with up to
date courses and to educate the public by providing information on different genetic
disorders and approaches to prevention.
The main aim of the Immunoregulation and Infection Research Priority Group (IIRPG)
is to promote basic and clinical research in immunology, microbiology, and related
disciplines. Through its wide membership, which encompasses investigators in a diverse
number of departments in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and affiliated
hospitals, the Group aims to facilitate inter-departmental collaborations in basic
and clinical research broadly related to immunological disorders, infectious diseases,
and microbial pathogenesis.
The United Arab Emirates University Neuroscience Group was officially formed in 2006
by a decree from the Vice Chancellor of the University. The group consists of basic
scientists and clinicians with a common interest in the nervous system. The primary
goal of the group is to strengthen collaborative research ties between its members
and promote neuroscience research in the UAE and the region. The group develop educational
programs at the University that lead to higher degrees in Neuroscience, organize seminars,
congresses and workshops, and participate in scientific activities of other groups
in the field of neuroscience. Moreover, the group develops educational programs, provides
professional development activities, information and educational resources for neuroscientists
at all stages of their careers in the UAE and the region.
The Oncology Research Group (ORG) comprises colleagues at the College of Medicine
& Health Sciences, the College of Sciences; UAEU and the Abu Dhabi Health Authority,
who share an interest in oncology research. The objectives of the group are:
To promote cancer research – being a catalyst for research activity
To create a forum for collaboration between Faculty members, basic scientists and
colleagues in clinical disciplines, faculty staff and colleagues of the Abu Dhabi
Health Authority dealing with oncology.
To create and maintain an inventory of:
research activities
resources available
basic research expertise
available clinical services
specialty interests – subspecialties
individuals – registry of interest in Oncology
To act as a reference group regarding cancer research and funding.
To act as an advisory body to the Abu Dhabi Health Authority regarding cancer issues
of national interest, e.g. breast cancer screening, cervical screening, and risk factors.
To create a unified list of all cancer-related educational activities countrywide.
To act as an advisory body for education regarding cancer, organizing lectures on
cancer, cancer conferences and meetings at a local and national level.
To promote quality control in the management of patients with cancer.
The Trauma Group has made major contributions in trauma education and research both
nationally and internationally. The “hands on training” in point-of-care ultrasound
has continued to flourish.
Opportunities
The College of Medicine & Health Sciences is dedicated to continually engaging its
faculty members and graduate and undergraduate students in research and scholarly
activities that contribute to the knowledge base in teaching and learning within their
field of specialization. Research funding is available to CMHS researchers through
the:
CMHS Research Grants
UAEU Research Grants
Extramural FundingStudent Research
1. CMHS Research Grants
Are only available to CMHS researchers.
Deadline for submission is usually in October and December.
Applications are made electronically through the CMHS Intranet when the announcement
by the Grants Committee is made.
Adherence to form layout, page number limit, and completion of all appropriate sections
will ensure that the application is not rejected. Extra information is provided in
the grant application form concerning how all grants are evaluated by the Committee.
This information is aimed at helping all applicants in formulating their grant proposals
as accurately and clearly as possible.
The Principal Investigator should indicate whether the Application for Ethical Approval
(where applicable) of their grant has been submitted to the Al Ain Medical District
Human Research Ethics Committee or the Animal Research Ethics Committee, and the date
of this submission should be clearly indicated. Failure to do so may result in the
application being returned to the Principal Investigator.
Progress/final reports of previously funded CMHS grants are due in the Research Office
in December. Failure to do so will disqualify the applicant from receiving further
funding from the RGC.
Should co-investigators on submitted research projects not be available to sign the
application form, a letter of agreement should be attached to the project application.
For any query, please contact the Research Grant Committee Chair or the Research Office
(Research Office, 3A 157, Third Floor, Administration)
2. UAEU Research Grants
Are only available to UAEU researchers.
Deadline for submission is usually in October and December.
Applications are made electronically through the ERMSS system when the announcement
by the DVCRGS office is made.
Adherence to form layout, page number limit, and completion of all appropriate sections
will ensure that the application is not rejected. Extra information is provided in
the grant application form concerning how all grants are evaluated. This information
is aimed at helping all applicants in formulating their grant proposals as accurately
and clearly as possible.
The principal Investigator should indicate whether the Application for Ethical Approval
(where applicable) of their grant has been submitted to the Al Ain Medical District
Human Research Ethics Committee or the Animal Research Ethics Committee, and the date
of this submission should be clearly indicated. Failure to do so may result in the
application being returned to the Principal Investigator.
Progress/final reports of previously funded UAEU grants are due by the end of each
year of funding and should also be submitted electronically through the ERMSS system.Failure
to do so will disqualify the applicant from receiving further funding for the subsequent
year of funding.
Should the co-investigators on submitted research projects not be available to sign
the application form, a letter of agreement should be attached to the project application.
3. Extramural Grants
It is the most prominent and prestigious award of its kind in the region. UAE can
and should be really proud of being the motivating force behind the ongoing fast-paced
medical research activities in the region.
The Emirates Foundation is an independent philanthropic organization set up by the
Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to facilitate public-private funded initiatives
to improve the welfare of people across the UAE. Over the years the Emirates Foundation
has built a vibrant and diversified portfolio. They have helped over 28,000 young
people to make positive contributions to their communities through our programs. They
have worked hand in hand with the private sector and in collaboration with public
sector peers to deliver social value through philanthropy.
On Friday, March 7th, 2008 His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister
of Higher Education & Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates (UAE), signed a decree
creating the National Research Foundation (NRF). The NRF is a Ministry of Higher Education
& Scientific Research initiative that helps promote research activity in private and
public universities, colleges, centers, institutes and companies, by individuals or
teams of researchers in UAE.
Today's ideas are the root of tomorrow's groundbreaking medical discoveries. The
funding of an application depends on a rigorous system of peer review. Scientists,
physicians, and other experienced individuals in biomedical fields from around the
world evaluate the merit of proposed research and its potential to advance science.
The heart of our mission is to improve human health through world-class medical
research. To achieve this, we support research across the biomedical spectrum, from
fundamental lab-based science to clinical trials, and in all major disease areas.
We work closely with the NHS and the UK Health Departments to deliver our mission,
and give a high priority to research that is likely to make a real difference to clinical
practice and the health of the population.
Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British
Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast. An active teenager involved
in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic
sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six
inches) above the knee in 1977. While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering
of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across
Canada to raise money for cancer research.
Are a global charity dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human
and animal health. They support the brightest minds in biomedical research and the
medical humanities. The breadth of their support includes public engagement, education
and the application of research to improve health.
4. Student Research
We believe that research is becoming an increasingly important part of career development
for medical students. The College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS) provides a
wide variety of opportunities for students to participate in research. Early in the
curriculum students are told about the research interests of faculty and the special
interest research groups. Planning and design of research projects, research ethics,
research project funding and biostatistics are also introduced.
Opportunities for extracurricular research include laboratory attachments, summer
research projects and the UK Research Scholarship program and the Dr Ali Mosawi Scholarship.
Students are encouraged to join research laboratories and to shadow research activities.
It is hoped that some of these attachments will lead to presentations at scientific
conferences and publications in peer reviewed journals.
The UK Research Scholarship program provides opportunities for selected students to
visit UK research laboratories during the summer. Typically students will have been
working in CMHS laboratories before visiting UK laboratories to learn new techniques
and generally develop their research interests.
The Dr. Ali Mosawi Scholarship program also provides opportunities for undergraduate
and post-graduate students to visit UK research laboratories and health organizations.
Publications
Google Scholar Profile
Please click the links below to view the Google Scholar Profile for the College of
Medicine and Health Sciences.
Profile 1: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Institute of Public Health, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine,
Medical Education
Please note that the publications listed on Google Scholar are categorized by faculty
and not by their current place of employment. Therefore, some publications listed
on this website may not have been done whilst the faculty member was employed at the
United Arab Emirates University.
Industry
The CMHS is in a position to consider requests for specific areas of research where
we have in-house expertise, and research interest groups. It is also able to facilitate
research on population health and health Science through the newly established Zayed
center for health sciences. Additionally, CMHS staff bid for external sources of research
funding e.g. through the terry fox foundation, etc.
For more information contact:
Prof Ahmed AlMarzooqi Assistant Dean for Research & Graduate Studies College of Medicine & Health Sciences
