Dr Hilal Lashuel named a new executive director for QBRI
News source: thepeninsulaqatar.com; gulf-times.com
Qatar Foundation has appointed Dr Hilal Lashuel, SASTA Secretary General, as the Executive Director of Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI).
Dr Lashuel is a prominent scientist in life sciences and associate professor at the Brain Mind Institute of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) School of Life Sciences.
Dr Lashuel will assume his new position on April 1 and will contribute to the advancement of translational biomedical research and the development of innovative personalised medicine in Qatar.
Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) president Faisal Alsuwaidi welcomed Dr Lashuel and highlighted the wealth of experience that he will bring to Qatar Foundation Research and Development.
“Building on his past experiences and previous activities with Qatar Foundation, we are pleased to have Dr Lashuel in the executive director role to guide QBRI in support of our vision of becoming a leading centre for research and development excellence and innovation,” said Alsuwaidi.
QF R&D executive vice president Dr Thomas Zacharia said: “Dr Lashuel will be a tremendous addition to the QBRI. The ability to attract a scientist of such international distinction is the latest evidence that we are building the research capabilities in Qatar to become a global hub for translational medicine.”
Dr Lashuel said: “I am truly honoured and humbled by the trust and confidence Qatar Foundation has invested in me, and for giving me this unique opportunity to lead QBRI and contribute to achieving the objectives of the Qatar National Research Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. While there are challenges that lie ahead, I also see great opportunities to make transformative changes that will impact education, research, and healthcare in Qatar and the region.”
He has received several awards and notable acknowledgements, including Human Science Frontiers young investigator award and the European Research Council starting independent researcher award.
Dr Lashuel has had several previous engagements in Qatar including co-ordinator of the biomedical group and active member of Arab Expatriate Scientists – an initiative launched by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation in 2006, and serving as consultant and adviser to Qatar Foundation and the Sidra Medical and Research Center.
SASTA wishes Dr Lashuel the best of luck in his new position.