Prof. Asmaa Al-Thani is the Vice President for Health and Medical Sciences, Director of the Biomedical Research Center, and Professor of Virology at Qatar University. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar.
She led the founding of both the College of Health Sciences and the BRC, and has held several national leadership roles in biobanking, precision medicine, and pandemic response.
Her awards include the Astrolabi Award, the State Encouraging Award in Medical Sciences, and several recognitions for academic leadership and scientific research. Professor Al-Thani’s contribution to the national landscape of medical research is recognized through her roles as; the former Chief Executive Officer of Qatar precision Health Institute at Qatar Foundation, the Vice Chairperson of Qatar Biobank Board, Chairperson of the National Qatar Genome Committee. In addition, her consultation role in establishing the National Reference laboratory-COVID19 Unit.
Prof. Althani is the founding chair for the Empower Generation Consortium (EGC), which includes several projects that enhance the national capacities in health sciences and support the new generations to enroll health specialties. Prof. Al-Thani is an active researcher with over185 published papers in peer-reviewed international journals and around 34 internal and external research grants. She is a reviewer for several scientific journals and conferences and is a member of the American Society for Microbiology.
Her accomplishments have been recognized with a number of awards, including the Astrolabi Award from WCMC-Q (2020), QS- Reimagine Oscars of; Education & Life Sciences for several conferences (2018-2020). In addition to; the State Encouraging Award in the Medical Sciences and Nursing (2017), Sheikh Hummaid Bin Rashid Award for Culture and Sciences (2006), Al-Jasra Cultural Club –Qatar (2008), Qatar University Outstanding Faculty Service Award (2012), the College of Arts and Sciences Research Award (2012), and the Arab Paediatric Medical Research Award (2015).