UAE-BASED SPEAKERS
Alphabetically ordered
Mr. Abdulla Lutfi
Autistic Savant Artist, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Abeer Al Naqbi
Consultant Family Medicine, Bateen Health Care Center, SEHA, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Adel Al Assy
Senior Manager, Pharmaceuticals, M42, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mr. Alan Taylor
Certified Genetic Counselor, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Alberto Peralta
Assistant Professor in the College of Business and Former Director of Innovation, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ms. Amina Maliki
Training and Research Manager, Applied & Behavioral Training Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prof. Amro El-Saddik
Professor of Clinical Pathology, Mansoura University, Egypt
Managing Director of Creative Crew, Medical Education services, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Anas Abu Hazeem
Consultant Pediatric Cardiology, NMC Royal Hospital and Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi and Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Mrs. Annie Kapinda
Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Founder of Anastasia Creation Handwork, and Mother of Child with Aicardi Syndrome, Dubai, UAE
Mrs. Areen Abuhejleh
Head of Health Programs, Special Olympics UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prof. Arif O. Khan
Chair of Pediatric and Neuro-ophthalmology, Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Professor of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Dr. Arif A. Khan
Founder & CEO, Neuropedia Children’s Neuroscience Center
Consultant Pediatric Neurologist
Associate Professor, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
Prof. Asma Deeb
Division Chair and Consultant, Pediatric Endocrinology, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Professor, Faculty of Health and Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Professor, College of Medicine, Gulf University, Ajman, UAE
Prof. Ayman El-Hattab
Congress President, MENA Congress for Rare Diseases
Professor, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah
Consultant Clinical Genetics at Burjeel Medical City, University Hospital Sharjah, Kanad Hospital, and Genesis Healthcare Center, UAE
Prof. Bassam Ali
Professor in Molecular & Genetic Medicine and Leader of the Genetics & Development Research Priority Group, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
Dr. Bassam Darwish
Founder and CEO, Balsam Healthcare Development, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Binu George
Consultant Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Pediatrics, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mrs. Bodour Al Nawajha
Diploma in Special Education and a Mother of Child with Christianson Syndrome, Dubai, UAE
Ms. Dana Hammad
Biotechnologist, Sciences College, Sharjah University, Sharjah, UAE
Mrs. Dianne Alameddine
ABGC Certified and DHA Licensed Genetic Counselor, Igenomix, Dubai, UAE
Prof. Eman Gaad
Dean of Faculty of Education and Professor of Special and Inclusive Education, British University in Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Ms. Fatima Al Sakkaf
Health Program Specialist, Special Olympics UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Fida Dyab
Certified Trainer, Advocate for People of Determination, and Mother of Child with Rare Disease, Dubai, UAE
Prof. Ghanem Al Bustami
Professor, Development and Educational Psychology, Department of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Gihan Elsisi
Managing Director, Technology Appraisal, HTA Office, Middle East and North Africa, Dubai, UAE
Prof. Haitham Elbashir
Consultant Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
Mrs. Hala Abass
Diploma in Mental Health and Psychological Counseling and Mother of Two Children with Mitochondrial Disorder, Dubai, UAE
Prof. Haleama Al Sabbah
Professor, Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Hamad Alhameli
Consultant Allergy and Immunology, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Hamid Alhaj
Consultant Psychiatrist, University Hospital Sharjah
Chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
Dr. Hana Al Geilani
Specialist Psychiatrist, American Wellness Center and Windsor Medical Center, Dubai, UAE
Mrs. Hanan Hirst
Head of Central Functions MEA & ASIA and Mother of a Child with X-Linked Hypophosphatemia, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Haneesha Pinnamaraju
Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, Neuropedia Children's Neuroscience Center, Dubai & Sharjah, UAE
Dr. Hany Dewedar
Consultant Hematology, Dubai Thalassemia Centre, Dubai Health
Associate Professor of Medicine, Dubai Medical College for Girls, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Hassan Jaafar
Consultant Medical Oncology, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Hatim Sidahmed
Head of Cord Blood Bank, M42, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Heba Elabd
Consultant Clinical Genetics, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Dr. Hiba Shendi
Allergy & Immunology Consultant, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Assistant Professor, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
Mrs. Hibat Omer
Founder & Director of Genomics Hub, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Medical Geneticist, Skin Biology Researcher, and Scientific Committee Member, UAE Genetic Disease Association, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Himanshu Soni
Consultant Neurologist and Epileptologist, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ms. Hind Almarri
Master of Genetic Counseling Student, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
Prof. Humaid Al-Shamsi
Consultant Medical Oncology & Director of Oncology Services, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Ilhaam Abbas
Dentist with Pediatric and Special Care Privileges, Healthpoint hospital, Mubadala Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Imane Boudellioua
Senior Researcher, Biotechnology Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Imran Jawaid
Consultant Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Moorfields Eye Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Mrs. Jinu Rachel John
Masters in Biomedical Genetics, Certified in Behavioral Therapy and Special Education, Project Lead in AMEA, and Mother of Child with Rett Syndrome, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Joanne Sadier
Senior Consultant, Department of Public Health, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE
Mr. Johannes Loh
Director, Government and Public Sector, MENA Consulting Services, Ernst & Young Middle East, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mrs. Karen Kehdy
Neurodiversity Advocate, Writer, and Mother of Two Neurodivergent Children, Dubai, UAE
Prof. Khaled Musallam
Group Chief Research Officer, Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi
Adj Professor, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Adj Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
Dr. Khawla Al Shehhi
Philosophy in Education (Special and Inclusive), The British University in Dubai, Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Dr. Kuldeep Dhariwal
Consultant Pediatrics, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Nahda, Dubai, UAE
Ms. Lama Ayoub
International Behavioral Consultant, Special Olympics UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ms. Laura Paquette
DOH Licensed & ABGC Certified Genetic Counselor, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Genetics & Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
Mrs. Laura Laugier
Founder of Neurodiverse Families Events and Mother of a Child with Cri du Chat Syndrome, Dubai, UAE
Ms. Lea Abed
EBMG Certified and DHA Licensed Genetic Counselor, Igenomix, Dubai, UAE
Prof. Mahir Al-Hilali
Consultant Hematology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Director of Mediclinic Precise, and Director of Laboratory Services, Mediclinic Middle East
Adjunct Clinical Professor of Laboratory Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Majid Aziz
Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mrs. Mandy Sunner
Co-Founder, Digital Lead, and Research Advocate, PTLS Hope Research Foundation and Mother for Child with Potocki-Lupski Syndrome, Dubai, UAE
Ms. Maria Antonela Axinte
Genetic Counselor and Founder, DNA Longevity, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Mehtab Iqbal
Consultant Paediatric Neurologist & Division Chief Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prof. Mohamad Miqdady
Division Chief & Consultant, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
Clinical Professor, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Mohamad Al Hakim
Founder and Chairman, American Spine Center, Dubai, UAE
Mr. Mohamad Rammal
Co-founder and CEO, CureLeads, Dubai, UAE
Prof. Mohamed Farghaly
Consultant Family Medicine and Diabetes Management, Dubai Health Authority
Scientific Chairman, Emirates Family Medicine Society
Professor of Medicine, Dubai Medical College, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Mohamed Abuhaleeqa
Consultant Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant and Chair of Academic Affairs Department, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prof. Mohamed Abuzakouk
Department Chair and Consultant, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Mohamed Ebrahim
Consultant Allergy and Immunology, Danat Al Emarat Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Mohammad Yousuf
Clinical Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Muhammad Tahir
Consultant Psychiatrist and Neurologist and Director, American Wellness Center, Dubai, UAE
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
Dr. Mustafa Al Baroudi
Consultant Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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
Mrs. Nashmeya Al-Fili
International Coach Special education, Artist, Specialized Writer for People of Determination, Member of the Emirates Society for Rare Diseases, Member of Read and Enjoy Center Department of Support for People of Determination, Administrator in the Arab Mothers of Heroes Group, and Mother of Child with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, Dubai, UAE
Ms. Nipa Bhuptani
Founder and Chief Values Officer, Applied & Behavioral Training Institutes, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ms. Noura Alblooki
Senior Editor, Social Media, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Omar Ismayl
Division Head & Consultant, Pediatric Neurology
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Omar Alsokhni
Pharmacy Manager, Inpatient Services, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prof. Pierre Krystkowiak
Consultant Neurology, Specialized Rehabilitation Center, Capital Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Professor of Neurology, University of Picardie, Amiens, France
Professor of Neurology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prof. Rabih Halwani
Director, Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah
Professor, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
Ms. Ramola Talwar Badam
Communities Editor, The National, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mrs. Rana Abu Khadra
Business Excellence Consultant, Co-founder of CureSCG, and Mother of Child with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Rania Al Dweik
Associate Professor in Public Health and Epidemiology and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Rasha Abdelrahman
Head of Psychology Department & Assistant Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
Dr. Rasheed Alhammadi
Division Director, Medical Research and Development, Center of Research and Innovation, Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Rawia Mohamed
Head of Department and Consultant, Anatomical Pathology, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mrs. Renate Baur-Richter
Executive Director, Access for All - Institute for Accessibility and Inclusion, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mr. Rifaat Rawashdeh
DOH Licensed, ABGC Certified Genetic Counselor, Oncology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mrs. Rola Jamal Al Naanaa
Student at the National Academy for Childhood Development and Mother of Child with Muscle-Eye-Brain Disorder, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Safeya Algharebi
Specialist Pediatric Dentistry, Al Mushrif Children's Specialty Center, SEHA, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prof. Shahrukh Hashmi
Director of Research, Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
Dr. Shaikha Almazrouei
Researcher of Genomics, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Shiamaa Almashhadani
Senior Specialist Public Health Dentistry, Head of Promotion and Prevention, and Clinical lead for Dental Home Services, Dubai Health
Dental Internship Supervisory Program, Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University (HBMCDM-MBRU), Dubai, UAE
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
Dr. Shivam Mittal
Section Head and Consultant Neurologist, Parkinson Disease & Movement Disorders Program, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mrs. Shruti Shenbagam
Certified Genetic Counselor, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Mrs. Sonika Sachanandani-Phulwani
Licensed Genetic Counselor, M42 (Biogenix), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ms. Souad Fares
Head of Special Education, Awladouna Center for People of Determination, Sharjah, UAE
Ms. Tanuka Gupta
Neuroaffirming Senior Clinical Psychologist, Al Noor Training Centre for People of Determination, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Tarek El-Azzabi
Consultant Pediatrics and Neurodisability, Pediatric Department, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, UAE
Mr. Wael Awabdeh
Behavior Analyst, Special Olympics UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Wafaa Ayesh
Head of Nutrition Department and Consultant Clinical Dietitian, Tadawi Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Yahya Kiwan
Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Specialist, Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Assistant Professor, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
Program Director, American Board of Regenerative Medicine Fellowship
Dr. Yaser Sabsabi
Chief Revenue Cycle Officer, Saudi German Hospital Group, Dubai, UAE
Mr. Youssef Hussiny
CEO, Tapy, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Zaid Al Aubaidi
Consultant Orthopedics & Pediatric Spine Surgery
Unit Head, Pediatric Orthopedics & Spine, Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Zeinab Alloub
Consultant Pediatric Neurodevelopment, Al Jalila Children's Speciality Hospital
Assistant Professor, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE