The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work has announced that two Emirati female students, Moza Al Alili and Hessa Mohammed Saeed Al Mansouri, will participate in a research training program at the Mayo Clinic in the United States. This initiative highlights the UAE’s commitment to fostering scientific excellence and aims to enhance the healthcare system in the UAE through the knowledge and experience these students will gain.

Moza Al Alili, a third-year PhD student at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAE University, specializes in Biomedical Sciences. She has focused her studies on genetic disorders related to mitochondrial DNA and is currently working on her dissertation, which examines genetic changes in type 2 diabetes linked to obesity. Al Alili stated, “My research aims to understand the ‘language’ of cells through extracellular vesicles—highly specialised communication tools—which could open new doors to more precise and effective treatments.”

Meanwhile, Hessa Mohammed Al Mansouri, also a graduate student at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, views scientific research as essential for advancing medicine and achieving self-sufficiency in the UAE. She has been selected to join the Visiting Research Trainee Programme at the Mayo Clinic, where her work will focus on understanding the role of extracellular vesicles in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Al Mansouri emphasized that her research could lead to the discovery of biomarkers for more accurate diabetes diagnoses.

Both students believe their experiences at the Mayo Clinic will equip them with advanced research skills that they intend to apply in the UAE. Al Alili expressed gratitude for the support from the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, which has provided her with a unique opportunity to train under expert supervision at one of the world’s top research hospitals. Al Mansouri echoed similar sentiments, stating that the UAE’s leadership is committed to investing in the future of its youth through exceptional educational and research opportunities.

Both students aspire to contribute to the development of local research programs and specialized centers in areas such as diagnostic medicine and gene therapy upon their return. They are motivated to help elevate the UAE’s standing in global medical and research fields, ensuring that the nation continues to thrive in scientific innovation.