Doha College holds annual medical review conference

Doha College held its eighth annual medical review school conference, inviting students to present their medical and scientific research and gain feedback from peers and experts drawn from the Qatar medical community. While historically bringing together hundreds of teams from across the country and beyond since 2014, this year it was only open to Doha College students due to pandemic-related restrictions. Numerous teams took part in the process, 20 were shortlisted for the main event, and three won a chance to present their research to the external panel of judges.

The topics chosen for this year’s conference listed Technology in Medicine, The Impact of Corona, Therapies in Institutionalised Healthcare, Maxillofacial Care, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutics, and finally, Medical Ethics. Adjudicating the competition was Dr James Laughton from the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service and Dr Abdulrashid Siddique, senior consultant with the Primary Health Care Corporation. After presentations, discussions and questions from teachers and students, three entries made it through to the final: on epilepsy by Fawaz Shaikh and Abhinav Gudavalli, the treatment of paralysis by Judy Ahmed and Zainab Shabbir, and about ethics in the use of artificial intelligence by Laiba Qureshi, Ria Gokul and Mahroosh Naqvi. Judy Ahmed and Zainab Shabbir in Year 11 were the winners. They impressed the panel with their ability to answer high-level medical questions. Their presentation was called “Reversing Paralysis: the Use of Dancing Molecules”, and it delved into the fascinating prospect of regaining the use of paralysed muscles – something once thought impossible. Doha College’s principal, Dr Steffen Sommer said: "The conference has gone from strength to strength and, prior to Covid-19, was attracting international teams in association with the Council of British International Schools.We look forward to opening up the event externally again in the future as restrictions ease, to set the scene for fine applications to medical courses across the globe.”Biology teacher and event co-ordinator Rachel Hart said: "We had a record number of students creating some fascinating, well-researched presentations. Our judges were very impressed with the quality and level of detail." Apart from inspiring interest in a field with such promise and impact on people’s lives, participating in the conference also adds value to students’ applications to medical schools. Many Doha College students go on to study in reputable medical schools from around the world and count many top medical specialists among its alumni.