COMMITTEE

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Dr. Nuha Alzaabi

Metabolic Genetic Consultant

Dr. Nuha Alzaabi

Dr. Nuha Alzaabi is currently serving as a Metabolic Genetic Consultant at Fujairah Hospital. She earned her MBBS degree from UAE University, followed by completing the Pediatric Arab Board residency program at Fujairah Hospital in 2015. In the same year, she obtained her Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH).

Dr. Alzaabi further pursued her specialization through a fellowship in Biomedical Genetics at UAE University, in collaboration with Tawam Hospital and McMaster University, Canada, which she successfully completed in 2018.

Fatma Al Jasmi, MBBS, FRCPC, FCCMG

Dean of CMHS, UAEU, Biochemical Genetics Consultant, Tawam Hospital

Fatma Al Jasmi,
MBBS, FRCPC, FCCMG

Prof. Al Jasmi is the Dean of College of Medicine & Health science, UAE University, Al Ain. Metabolic consultant at Tawam Hospital. She did her undergraduate studies at UAE University, UAE and graduated in 2000 with bachelor’s in medicine and health science. She pursued her postgraduate studies at University of Toronto, and Hospital for Sick Children, Canada. In 2006, Prof. Al Jasmi received Canadian Board of Pediatrics after completing the Pediatric residency program. Subsequently, she did her fellowship in biochemical genetics and in 2008 and certified with Canadian College of Medical Genetics Board (Biochemical Genetics). She participated in the expanding of national newborn screening and the premarital screening pilot study using Whole Exome sequencing. She organized and participated in numerous national and international conferences aiming to advance rare diseases community awareness, education and clinical sciences. She collaborated with numerous national and international clinical scientist to enhance rare metabolic disease research and clinical service.

She is recipient of Prime Minister Award for excellence in a specialized job (2017) Chancellors’ Innovation Award (2015) Women in Science (WiS) Hall of Fame as an outstanding woman in science throughout the Middle East North Africa region (2015) and L’Oreal UNESCO For Women in Science Pan Arab award (2013) Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum Award for Excellent Achievements in Medicine (2000).

Dr. Fatma Al Bastaki (BSc, MBBS, DCH, MSc, FRCPC)

Consultant Clinical Geneticist - HMS Mirdif Hospital

Dr. Fatma Al Bastaki
(BSc, MBBS, DCH, MSc, FRCPC)

Graduated from Kuwait University with Bachelor in Medical Science (BS1987) and MBBS in (1990), she received her Master’s degree in Medical Genetics from University of Glasgow (1997), and completed her Residency training in Clinical Genetics at McGill University Health Centers. Montreal, Canada.

A Board Certified in Medical Genetics by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and obtained the fellowship of Royal College of Physicians and surgeons of Canada (2006). She was a director of the pediatrics training program in DHA from 2007 to 2010, and chaired the pediatric department at Latifa Women and Children Hospital from 2009 to 2013. One of the founders of UAE Rare Disease Society, and member of several prestigious societies working in the field of genetics and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Amal AL Tenaiji

Consultant Clinical Geneticist - Sheikh Khalifa Medical City

Dr. Amal AL Tenaiji

Dr. Amal earned her undergraduate degree from UAE University, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Health Science. Following this, she completed her residency in pediatrics at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, where she achieved the Arab Board Specialization in Pediatrics and the MRCPCH. Dr. Amal then advanced her education with postgraduate studies at The University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children in Canada. In 2014, she completed a clinical fellowship in biochemical genetics and is certified by the Canadian College of Medical Genetics Board in Clinical Biochemical Genetics. Presently, she serves as a metabolic genetics’ consultant at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, she holds a position as Adjunct Faculty at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAE University, is the Head of the SEHA Genomics Council, and is a founding member of the UAE Rare Disease Society.

Dr. Eman Taryam AlShamsi MBBS, RCPCH

Consultant & Acting Head of Pediatric Hematology Oncology – Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital

Dr. Eman Taryam AlShamsi
MBBS, RCPCH

Consultant and Acting Head of the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Department at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital. She earned her medical degree from the UAE University in 2002 and holds the Arab Board in Pediatrics, RCPCH, and a Diploma in Clinical Research from the Vienna School of Clinical Research. She completed a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at SickKids Hospital, Toronto, and an administrative fellowship at MD Anderson, USA.

Previously, Dr. AlShamsi served at Tawam Hospital and later as Head of Pediatric Hematology Oncology at Al Qassimi Women and Children’s Hospital. She has led and contributed to numerous research projects with publications in PubMed, authored chapters on bleeding disorders and pediatric cancer, and hosted the SIOP Asia Conference in 2019.

She is actively involved in national and international committees, including the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medical Award Scientific Sub-Committee, NIHS Pediatric Hematology Oncology Accreditation, national cancer initiatives, and SIOP WLPO. She is also engaged in patient support and awareness activities with CCI and Friends of Cancer Patients UAE.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Mrs. Nafisa Tawfiq

Chair President, UAE Rare Disease Society

Mrs. Nafisa Tawfiq

Nafisa is a Biochemistry graduate from UAE University, Al Ain, with over 22 years of experience at the Dubai Genetics Centre, Pathology & Genetics Department – Dubai Health Authority, where she served as Head of the Metabolic Genetics Unit. Her strong scientific background and extensive practical experience as Chief Laboratory Technologist have been invaluable in advancing the diagnostic testing and management of rare disorders.

Currently, Nafisa serves as Chair President of the UAE Rare Disease Society, where she continues to contribute her expertise and leadership to support individuals and families affected by rare diseases.

Mrs. Awatif Aljasmi, BBA

Head of Administrative Services, Dubai Health Authority’s Thalassemia Center

Mrs. Awatif Aljasmi BBA

Accomplished hospital administrative leader with over two decades of experience in healthcare operations, service quality, and strategic management. She currently serves as Head of Administrative Services at the Dubai Health Authority’s Thalassemia Center, where she oversees strategic planning, budgeting, policy development, and service improvement initiatives. Skilled in operational management, stakeholder engagement, and patient-centered service delivery, she has played a key role in enhancing healthcare administration efficiency. Ms. Al Jasmi is a Board Member of the UAE Rare Disease Society, supporting awareness, advocacy, and event organization for the rare disease community.

Ms. Dalal Al Dhabyani, MQM

Operational Manager, UAE Rare Disease Society

Ms. Dalal Al Dhabyani, MQM

is a healthcare quality and risk management professional with extensive experience across clinical governance, safety, and customer service improvement. She holds a Master’s in Quality Management from the University of Wollongong in Dubai and is a Certified Corporate Excellence Expert. Over her career, she has served in leadership roles at SEHA, Dubai Health Authority, and government health centers, contributing to strategic planning, excellence programs, and accreditation processes. A registered nurse with strong operational and training expertise, she has led risk assessments, quality audits, and policy development in multiple healthcare settings. Ms. Al Dhabyani is also an active volunteer, serving as the Operational Manager of the UAE Rare Disease Society and participating in numerous community health initiatives.

Ms. Aadla Jodat, MBA

Executive Administrative, UAE Rare Disease Society

Ms. Aadla Jodat MBA

Dedicated Executive Assistant at the UAE Rare Disease Society, specializing in patient advocacy With over a decade of experience in administration, human resources, and event coordination , she has successfully managed high-profile projects, organized national symposiums, and supported strategic initiatives that improve patient experiences. Holding an MBA from Sudan University of Science and Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Al Neelin University, she combines academic knowledge with practical expertise. Her strong communication skills enable her to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, ensuring that patient needs and perspectives are prioritized.

Dr. Rahma Azhar, MPH, PhD

Instructor at the Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE

Dr. Rahma Azhar, MPH, PhD

Dr. Azhar Talal Rahma is an Instructor at the Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University. She serves as the Coordinator of core courses for both MPH and PhD programs and Co-coordinator of the Public Health Clerkship, where she plays a central role in advancing graduate public health education and student mentorship.

Dr. Rahma is the Editor of the recently published Elsevier book Raising Genomic Literacy, Knowledge, and Awareness, and the Editor-in-Chief of the IPH Newsletter and editor of the Human Genomics Journal.

She holds several academic leadership roles, including Faculty Fellow at the Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at UAEU, Faculty Fellow of the Public Health Faculty through Distinction, UK, Adjunct Faculty at St. Thomas University (USA), and Global Public Health Mentor with the Global Health Mentoring (GHMe), Denmark.

She is also an active member of the ASPHER Task Force on Digital Public Health, contributing to the advancement of digital skills in public health curricula across Europe and the MENA region. Her researches had been published in Q1 journals and presented at international conferences

Dr. Rahma won the Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of her innovative teaching methods, integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into learning, and consistently outstanding evaluations from students.