Scientific Main Track: Al Thuraya A&B
Opening Session
Chairperson: Prof. Ayman El-Hattab
Consultant Clinical Genetics at Burjeel Medical City, University Hospital Sharjah, Kanad Hospital, and Genesis Healthcare Center, UAE
09:30 AM - 09:40 AM
Opening remarks: MENA Congress for Rare Diseases
Prof. Ayman El-Hattab
Consultant Clinical Genetics at Burjeel Medical City, University Hospital Sharjah, Kanad Hospital, and Genesis Healthcare Center, UAE
09:40 AM - 10:00 AM
Bridging global commitments and regional realities: the MENA region's role in shaping the impact of the world health assembly resolution on rare diseases
Ms. Alexandra Heumber Perry
Chief Executive Officer, Rare Diseases International, Geneva, Switzerland
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Opening ceremony and award distribution
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM — Coffee Break
Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya B
1st MENA Summit for Gene and Cell Therapy
Chairperson: Dr. Nameer Al-Saadawi
Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Clinical Director of Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Revolutionizing healthcare: the rise of gene therapy in the UAE - ADSCC experience
Dr. Mohamed Abuhaleeqa
Consultant Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant and Chair of Academic Affairs Department, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), Abu Dhabi, UAE
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
The promise of gene therapies for neuromuscular disorders: experience from Qatar
Prof. Tawfeg Ben-Omran
Division Chief & Senior Consultant, Medical Genetic Department, Hamad Medical Corporation & Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Stem cell therapy for cardiac diseases, the past, the present, the future
Dr. Yahya Kiwan
Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Specialist, Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Dubai, UAE
12:00 PM - 12:20 PM
Is the stem cell the hope for neurodegenerative disorder
Dr. Mohamad Al Hakim
Founder and Chairman, American Spine Center, Dubai, UAE
12:20 PM - 12:40 PM
Cord blood unit is not just a bag of blood
Dr. Hatim Sidahmed
Head of Cord Blood Bank, M42, Abu Dhabi, UAE
12:40 PM - 01:00 PM
Future of cell and gene therapy for rare diseases
Dr. Shaikha Almazrouei
Researcher of Genomics, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya A
2nd MENA Summit for Preventive Medicine
Chairperson: Dr. Nawal Al Kaabi
Consultant Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Proactive strategies for effective disease prevention
Dr. Nawal Al Kaabi
Consultant Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
The world’s largest genetic premarital screening program: pioneering preventive healthcare in Abu Dhabi
Dr. Mohamed Alameri
Section Head, Studies and Special Projects, Undersecretary Office, Abu Dhabi Department of Heath, Abu Dhabi, UAE
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Challenges in prenatal screening
Dr. Hisham Mirghani
Consultant and Chair of Fetal Medicine Services, NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE
12:00 PM - 12:20 PM
Unlocking the secrets to Alzheimer’s prevention: strategies for a healthier future
Dr. Laila Abdel Wareth
Chief Executive Officer, National Reference Laboratory (NRL) and Adjunct Clinical Professor, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
12:20 PM - 12:40 PM
Obesity and chronic disease prevention: the interconnected web
Dr. Mohammad Fityan
Chair of Medicine Division, Consultant Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and Head of Weight Management Clinic, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
12:40 PM - 01:00 PM
Maternal immunizations: current recommendations
Dr. Huda Aldhanhani
Consultant Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Satellite Symposium: Al Mas Hall
2nd MENA Summit for Genetic Counselors - Part 1
Chairperson: Dr. Muna Al Saffar
Director of Genetic Counseling Program, Assistant Professor, and DOH Licensed and Canadian Board Certified Genetic Counselor, Department of Genetic and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
The role of genetic counselors in genomic era
Dr. Muna Al Saffar
Director of Genetic Counseling Program, Assistant Professor, and DOH Licensed and Canadian Board Certified Genetic Counselor, Department of Genetic and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
The changing face of genetic counseling in the era of precision medicine: experience from Qatar
Dr. Reem Al-Sulaiman
Acting Chairman of Medical Genetics Department, Sr. Consultant Genetic Counseling (ABGC Board), Lead of Genetic Counseling Directory, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Genetic counselling achievements and milestones: insights from the Oman
Ms. Khalsa Al-Kharusi
Genetic counsellor, Genetics and Developmental Medicine Clinic, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
12:00 PM - 12:20 PM
Cancer genetic counseling service outcomes: a single center experience in Abu Dhabi
Mr. Rifaat R. Rawashdeh
DOH Licensed, ABGC Certified Genetic Counselor, Oncology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE
12:20 PM - 12:40 PM
Genetic counseling in reproductive decision-making
Ms. Laura Paquette
DOH Licensed & ABGC Certified Genetic Counselor, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi, UAE
12:40 PM - 01:00 AM
Savings by genetic counselors in a tertiary pediatric hospital
Mrs. Shruti Shenbagam
Certified Genetic Counselor, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, Dubai, UAE
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM — Lunch Break
Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya B
1st MENA Summit for Hemoglobinopathies
Chairperson: Prof. Khaled Musallam
Group Chief Research Officer, Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi, UAE
02:00 PM - 02:20 PM
Beta-thalassemia in the era of disease-modifying therapies
Prof. Ali Taher
Associate VP for Academic Centers, Development, and External Affairs, Director for Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute, and Founding Director of Fellowship and Residents Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
02:20 PM - 02:40 PM
Alpha-thalassemia revisited
Dr. Abdullah Al Zayed
Consultant Internist and Hematologist, Qatif Health Network, Qatif, Saudi Arabia
02:40 PM - 03:00 PM
Novel targets for pharmacologic management of sickle cell disease
Prof. Salam Alkindi
Professor, Department of Hematology, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
03:00 PM - 03:20 PM
Iron overload in hemoglobinopathies: conquered or forgotten?
Prof. Mohamed Yassin
Head of Hematology Department, Senior Consultant Hematology and BMT, and Program Director of Hematology Fellowship Program, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
03:20 PM - 03:40 PM
Hemoglobinopathies burden in the UAE
Dr. Hany Dewedar
Consultant Hematology, Dubai Thalassemia Centre, Dubai Health, Dubai, UAE
03:40 PM - 04:00 PM
Global approaches to screening and prevention strategies of hemoglobinopathies: the Saudi experience
Prof. Hatoon Ezzat
Advisor to the Vice Minister and the Director of Blood Disorder Administration, Saudi Minstry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya A
1st MENA Summit for the Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophies
Chairperson: Prof. Nicholas Johnson
Director of the Center for Inherited Myology Research (CIMR), Professor, and Vice Chair of Research in Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
02:00 PM - 02:20 PM
Overview and management of limb girdle muscular dystrophies
Prof. Nicholas Johnson
Director of the Center for Inherited Myology Research (CIMR), Professor, and Vice Chair of Research in Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
02:20 PM - 02:40 PM
The Egyptian experience with limb girdle muscular dystrophies
Dr. Rasha El-Sherif
Assistant professor of Neurology, Newgiza University, Chair of Myo-Care Foundation, and Director of Neuromuscular Registry, Cairo, Egypt
02:40 PM - 03:00 PM
Genetic testing and other diagnostics in limb girdle muscular dystrophies
Dr. Samuel Carrell
Assistant Professor of Neurology and the Associate Director of the Center for Inherited Muscle Research (CIMR), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
03:00 PM - 03:20 PM
The role of physical therapy and exercise in management of limb girdle muscular dystrophies
Dr. Michael Kieffer
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Investigator in the Center for Inherited Myology Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
03:20 PM - 03:40 PM
The development of gene therapies in limb girdle muscular dystrophies
Dr. Ellie Carrell
Assistant Professor, Center for Inherited Myology Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
03:40 PM - 04:00 PM
Success of genetic and other precision therapies in related conditions
Dr. Arturo Saavedra
Dean of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Satellite Symposium: Al Mas Hall
1st MENA Summit for Autism and Neurodivergence
Chairperson: Ms. Tanuka Gupta
Neuroaffirming Senior Clinical Psychologist, Al Noor Training Centre for People of Determination, Dubai, UAE
02:00 PM - 02:20 PM
Neurodiversity 101: understanding the spectrum of human minds and body
Mrs. Karen Kehdy
Neurodiversity Advocate, Writer, and Mother of Two Neurodivergent Children, Dubai, UAE
02:20 PM - 02:40 PM
Understanding and embracing neurodivergence: key to fostering neuroinclusive spaces
Dr. Haneesha Pinnamaraju
Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, Neuropedia Children's Neuroscience Center, Dubai & Sharjah, UAE
02:40 PM - 03:00 PM
Neuroaffirming approach: shifting from a deficit-lens to a strength-based approach
Ms. Shija Sapru
Neurodiversity and Strength-Based Approach Advocate, Certified in Twice Exceptional (2e) Education from Bridges Graduate School, and Supporter of Alternative Schooling Approaches, Dubai, UAE
03:00 PM - 03:20 PM
What causes autism? - Let’s try again
Dr. Arif A. Khan
Founder & CEO, Neuropedia Children’s Neuroscience Center, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Dubai, UAE
03:20 PM - 03:40 PM
My journey as an artist on the autism spectrum
Mr. Abdulla Lutfi
Autistic Savant Artist, Dubai, UAE
03:40 PM - 04:00 PM
ADHD wonders
Dr. Hana Al Geilani
Specialist Psychiatrist, American Wellness Center and Windsor Medical Center, Dubai, UAE
04:00 PM - 04:30 PM — Coffee Break
Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya B
1st MENA Summit for Neurotherapeutic Advancements
Chairperson: Prof. Brahim Tabarki Melaiki
Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
04:30 PM - 04:50 PM
Treatable metabolic and genetic disorders mimicking cerebral palsy
Prof. Brahim Tabarki Melaiki
Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
04:50 PM - 05:10 PM
Vitamins-responsive neurological disorders: cheap to treat but too expensive to miss!
Dr. Mohamed Babiker
Consultant Pediatric Neurology and Director of Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Al Jalila Children's Speciality Hospital
05:10 PM - 05:30 PM
Shedding light on rare treatable movement disorders
Dr. Dina Saleh
Head of Department and Consultant, Pediatric Neurology, Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE
05:30 PM - 05:50 PM
Spinal muscle atrophy: Egyptian experience with different modalities of intervention
Prof. Maha Zaki
Professor, Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics & Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya A
1st MENA Summit for Inclusion and Diversity
Chairperson: Mrs. Renate Baur-Richter
Executive Director, Access for All - Institute for Accessibility and Inclusion, Abu Dhabi, UAE
04:30 PM - 04:50 PM
Innovation in action: how technology is reshaping inclusion for people of determination
Mrs. Renate Baur-Richter
Executive Director, Access for All - Institute for Accessibility and Inclusion, Abu Dhabi, UAE
04:50 PM - 05:10 PM
The role of stakeholders in shaping inclusive frameworks
Mr. Johannes Loh
Director, Government and Public Sector, MENA Consulting Services, Ernst & Young Middle East, Abu Dhabi, UAE
05:10 PM - 05:30 PM
Redefining inclusion: sustainable business models by people of determination within and beyond corporations and government
Dr. Alberto Peralta
Assistant Professor in the College of Business and Former Director of Innovation, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
05:30 PM - 05:50 PM
Disability representation in media through a Middle Eastern lens
Ms. Noura Alblooki
Senior Editor, Social Media, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Satellite Symposium: Al Mas Hall
2nd MENA Summit for Genetic Counselors - Part 2
Chairperson: Dr. Muna Al Saffar
Director of Genetic Counseling Program, Assistant Professor, and DOH Licensed and Canadian Board Certified Genetic Counselor, Department of Genetic and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Ethical dilemmas and psychosocial considerations in genetic counseling: navigating IVF in the Arab world
Mrs. Dianne Alameddine
ABGC Certified and DHA Licensed Genetic Counselor, Igenomix, Dubai, UAE
Mrs. Lea Abed
EBMG Certified and DHA Licensed Genetic Counselor, Igenomix, Dubai, UAE
05:00 PM - 05:20 PM
The utility of rapid whole genome sequencing in an ICU setting
Mr. Alan Taylor
Certified Genetic Counselor, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, Dubai, UAE
05:20 PM - 05:40 PM
The role of genetic counseling in addressing age-related diseases
Ms. Maria Antonela Axinte
Genetic Counselor and Founder, DNA Longevity, Dubai, UAE
05:40 PM - 06:00 PM
Bridging the gap: the lab genetic counselor’s experience and impact
Mrs. Sonika Sachanandani-Phulwani
Licensed Genetic Counselor, M42 (Biogenix), Abu Dhabi, UAE
06:00 PM - 06:20 PM
A guide to effective engagement in the Arab world: strategies for genetic counselors, experts, and scientists
Mrs. Hibat Omer
Founder of Genomics Hub, Abu Dhabi, UAE
برنامج تدريبي: قاعة الماس
منهجية بوب لتأهيل الحواس (اليوم الأول)
رئيس الجلسة: أ.د بهاء الدين جلال
مدير مركز هيلب للشرق الاوسط وشمال افريقيا, مدينة الكويت, الكويت
05:30 PM - 09:30 PM
أسس علم تحليل الحواس
أ.د بهاء الدين جلال
مدير مركز هيلب للشرق الاوسط وشمال افريقيا, مدينة الكويت, الكويت