Scientific Committee

Dr. Khadija Hafidh has over 20 years of experience in Internal medicine, diabetes, obesity, metabolism and medical education. Currently, heads the Diabetes Unit at Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority.

She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, and a member of the American college of physicians, European society of Endocrinology, and American association of clinical endocrinologists. She is an editorial board member of the Dubai Diabetes and Endocrine Journal and an Associate professor at Dubai Medical College.

Her research interests include cardiovascular complications in diabetes and obesity. She participates in multiple multicentre trials at Rashid hospital and holds a Diploma in Principles and Practice of Clinical Research from Harvard Medical School.

She is a member of the University students Ethical Research committee at DHA. She holds a Post-graduate certificate in Medical education from Keele University, UK

Dr. Alkaabi is a Professor of Medicine at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University and Acting Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Services. He also has a co-appointment as a Consultant Internist, Endocrinologist at Tawam Hospital and Al-Ain Hospitals. Dr. Alkaabi is the vice-president of the Emirates Diabetes Society and Founder, Member and Former President of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)-Gulf Chapter (2012 to 2019). Prof. Alkaabi obtained his basic medical science degree from the University of St. Andrews Scotland in 1990 and his medical degree from University of Manchester- England in 1993. He subsequently trained in Internal Medicine in the United Kingdom followed by clinical fellowship program in Endocrinology and Metabolism in Canada where he spent two years and a half at the University of Alberta as a clinical fellow at the department of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Dr. Alkaabi’s research interests are in diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, obesity, osteoporosis and Vitamin D deficiency. He has over 100 publications as articles and abstracts and various participations at international meetings and organizer of many scientific conferences and meetings.

Dr. Mohamed Farghaly is a highly experienced physician who worked in United Arab Emirates for around 30 years, he worked as a doctor in charge in al-Mankhool Center, Dubai for around 3 years, then he worked as senior community Physician in charge in the Al Safa health center, Dubai for 11 years, in 2002, he was in charge as manager of the region 4 in primary health care in the department of health and medical service in additional to his clinical duty, in 2006 was allocated to be the head of chronic care unit. In 2014 he got reallocated to be the head of insurance medical regulation, Dubai health authority. Beside that Dr. Farghaly is having also a long academic career such as the following: Senior Lecturer in Dubai Medical College. Tutor for diabetes diploma Leicester UNI. Trainer for Arab Gulf University- Bahrain’s medical students during their Family Medicine clerkship in Dubai – UAE. Trainer for family medicine residents during their residency program training in PHC. Coordinator of Continued education for Diabetic case managers Accredited Trainer in Family Medicine by the Royal College of General Practitioners UK. Accredited Examiner for MRCGP (INT). Deputy Coordinator of the OSCE module of the MRCGP (INT) which has three components: Simulated Surgeries, Orals, and clinical Skills Examination.

Dr Hassanein is a senior consultant in Endocrinology and Diabetes at Dubai Hospital, Dubai, UAE since 2014. He holds an Academic post of Senior Lecturer, and Associate Director for Postgraduate Diabetes Education, Cardiff University. UK since 2007and was appointed to the post of Consultant in the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at BCUHB, UK, in 2002. Dr Hassanein graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt. His main research interest is in the field of diabetes and Ramadan. He co-authored recommendations papers on this subject for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in 2005 and 2010, and for the British Medical Journal in 2010 as well as the IDF-DAR practical guidelines, 2016. Dr Hassanein has participated as the first author and/or a co-author in numerous studies in this field. He has published over 50 papers and has presented more than 30 oral presentations at national and international meetings.

Dr. Farooqi received his Internal Medicine training in New York and then did his Endocrine Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

He is US Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology and is a Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology, the American College of Physicians and the Royal Society of Public Health, UK.

His passions include teaching. He has won multiple awards for teaching while serving as an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida.

At present, he is a faculty member of the Harvard Medical School in Boston and the Dubai Medical College.

Initially he joined the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate in Florida and worked there for a decade as the Medical Director. He established and operated a highly successful Joslin affiliate in Safety Harbor, Florida. In 2008, he lead the Joslin team that set up the state of the art Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Dubai Health Authority, now renamed as the Dubai Diabetes Center, one of the largest in the public sector in the UAE.

Dr. Farooqi has been an invited speaker at various Health Forums internationally and has helped design global diabetes education programs for primary care physicians.

He has published many articles and serves as a reviewer or member of the editorial board of various international journals.

Dr. Abdelgadir is a fellow of American College of Endocrinology, fellow of American college of physician, and fellow of Royal college of physicians of Edinburgh.

He is licensed Thyroid and neck sonographer from the American College of Endocrinology.

He is a member of an active research group and he has published over 60 original articles and abstracts. Dr. Abdelgadir is a member of various regional and international conferences scientific and organizing committees. And he is the former secretary general of the Sudan Diabetes Association – Gulf Chapter.

Dr. Alaaeldin Bashier is currently a consultant Endocrinologist at Dubai Hospital, he is a fellow of Royal college of physicians and the American college of endocrinology (FRCP, FACE). He is very active in under and postgraduate teaching and has a master degree in medical professional health education MSc (MHPE) as well as a master degree in diabetes from Cardiff university.

He is certified by the American college of Endocrinology in thyroid and neck USS (ECNU). He is an expert in thyroid and thyroid USS guided procedures and performed over the last 13 years more than 3500 procedures.

He shared in establishing the Sudanese Diabetes Association the Gulf Chapter in 2014 and is the current president of the chapter.

He is also a very active member of a research group and published more that 70 original papers and review articles. He coauthored three book chapters in Glucagon antagonists, history of GLP1 analogues and management of diabetes in Ramadan.

• Consultant Endocrinologist at Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, UAE
• Visiting Endocrinologist at New Medical Center (NMC) and Adjunct Faculty of the Department of Medicine at United Arab Emirates University
• He obtained his MBBS at the UAE University in 2006 and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of British Columbia in 2011 and fellowship in Endocrinology at Dalhousie University, Canada in 2013.
• Fellowship in pituitary disorders and thyroid cancer: 2013-2014, Dalhousie University, Canada
• A Founding Member and the Chairman of Al Ain Internal Medicine Research Conference since 2015.
• A Board Member of the Gulf Chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

Dr Yasir Elhassan, MBBS, MRCP (UK), PhD has recently joined Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as a Consultant Endocrinologist. Previously Dr. Elhassan held the position of Consultant Endocrinologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, UK and Honorary Associate Professor at the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham. Dr Elhassan's clinical and research expertise is in adrenal and gonadal disorders and he has published extensively in those areas including outputs that have informed clinical practice. He is also the first author of the UK Society for Endocrinology guideline on the evaluation of androgen excess in women. Dr. Elhassan held several national roles in the UK Society for Endocrinology including Lead of the Adrenal Network, Elected Member of the Clinical Committee, Member of the Programme Committee, in addition to selected membership in specialist groups that advised the Society in matters related to adrenal and gonadal disorders. Dr. Elhassan is a regularly invited speaker in major international conferences such as the British Endocrine Society (BES) Conference and the US Endocrine Society (ENDO) Conference. He has received several early career research-based awards from the UK Society for Endocrinology and the US Endocrine Society.

Dr Asma is a pediatric Endocrinologist; she obtained her MBBS degree from Kuwait University, state of Kuwait. In year 2005, did her Pediatric residency program training at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. In addition, obtained the American and the Canadian board of pediatrics. Dr Asma continued her fellowship training in pediatric Endocrinology in Montreal children Hospital, McGill University, obtained Canadian board of Endocrinology and metabolism in 2012.

She has great interest in the use of advance technology in the management of Diabetes. And disorder of the Adrenal gland.

Dr Asma is been a Board Member of Emirates Diabetes Society (EDS) since 2016, currently she is the secretary General of the Emirates Diabetes society.

Worked as consultant pediatric Endocrinologist at Dubai Heath Authority till 2018, currently working in Rashid Centre for Diabetes and Research (RCDR) at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City ,Ajman ( SKMCA), United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Amena Sadiya, a licensed nutritionist and an International Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional. Currently, she serves as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Sharjah and a Tutor at the University of South Wales, UK. In addition to clinical practice at Genesis Healthcare Centre, Dubai, UAE.

Her academic background includes a Ph.D. and MSc in Food and Nutrition from India, along with clinical research training (GCSRT) from Harvard Medical School, USA.

Throughout her career, she has designed and led evidence-based lifestyle intervention programs across the UAE and has been actively involved in both clinical practice and academic research. She has published several research papers and serves as a peer reviewer for three international medical journals. Dr.Sadiya, also had the privilege of speaking at various medical conferences, sharing insights on integrating nutrition and lifestyle into chronic disease management.

In addition to this, she is the author of a book entitled 'Lifestyle Prescription for Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes', reflecting her commitment to practical, patient-centered solutions.

Dr. Amena Sadiya, a licensed nutritionist and an International Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional. Currently, she serves as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Sharjah and a Tutor at the University of South Wales, UK. In addition to clinical practice at Genesis Healthcare Centre, Dubai, UAE.

Her academic background includes a Ph.D. and MSc in Food and Nutrition from India, along with clinical research training (GCSRT) from Harvard Medical School, USA.

Throughout her career, she has designed and led evidence-based lifestyle intervention programs across the UAE and has been actively involved in both clinical practice and academic research. She has published several research papers and serves as a peer reviewer for three international medical journals. Dr.Sadiya, also had the privilege of speaking at various medical conferences, sharing insights on integrating nutrition and lifestyle into chronic disease management.

In addition to this, she is the author of a book entitled 'Lifestyle Prescription for Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes', reflecting her commitment to practical, patient-centered solutions.

Zeina Younes is a clinical dietitian and research professional with over a decade of experience in diabetes care and medical nutrition therapy. As a Clinical Diabetes Dietitian Specialist at the Dubai Diabetes Center since 2014, she has empowered individuals with diabetes through evidence-based nutritional strategies, cutting-edge technology integration, and compassionate patient education.

Zeina's work is also deeply rooted in research. She has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications focusing on diabetes distress, glycemic control, and self-management education across both pediatric and adult populations. Her academic foundation—holding dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Nutrition & Dietetics, and a Master of Science in Nutrition—was further strengthened by her early research experience at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, particularly in reproductive health and endocrinology.

Driven by a mission to improve patient outcomes through research-informed practice, Zeina continuously contributes to clinical research studies and remains actively engaged in scientific discourse. She is also an advocate for multidisciplinary care and innovative diabetes education models, using tools like Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and insulin pump therapy to bridge the gap between clinical advancements and daily patient management.

With a steadfast commitment to advancing diabetes care, Zeina continues to bridge research and clinical practice—striving to shape a future where every individual living with diabetes is empowered with the tools, knowledge, and support to thrive.