Maryam Matar Explained

Honorific Prefix:Her Excellency
Maryam Matar
Birth Name:Arabic: مريم مطر
Birth Date:1975[1]
Nationality:Emirati
Occupation:Scientist
Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Health
Chairperson, UAE Genetic Diseases Association
Known For:Founder of the UAE Genetic Diseases Association
First female director-general of a Dubai government agency
Profession:Physician; geneticist
Field:Biology
Specialism:Genetics
Research Field:Genetic disorders

Maryam Mohamed Fatma Matar (Arabic: مريم مطر, born 1975) is an Emirati geneticist, medical researcher, and radio host, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Matar is the first woman to serve as director-general in the government of Dubai and is the founder and chairperson of the UAE Genetic Diseases Association.[2] [3]

Education and career

She earned a B.A. in Medicine and Surgery and a Family Medicine Residency Program degree. In 2004, she graduated from the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development and worked on a Ph.D. at Yamaguchi University in Japan.[4] [5]

In 2006, Matar was named an undersecretary in the Dubai Government Ministry of Health, and in 2008 she was named director-general of a Dubai government agency, Community Development Authority, thereby becoming the first Emirati woman to hold these positions.[6] As of 2014, Matar is the deputy chair of the primary education advocacy organization Dubai Cares.

Biography

In 2004, Matar founded and directs the UAE Genetic Diseases Association, a volunteer organization in the UAE that works on issues centering around illnesses such as thalassemia,[7] Alzheimer's, autism, and celiac diseases.[8] This work has led to new screenings for genetic mutations in children, as Matar discussed in a 2017 article in Gulf News,[9] and genetic testing for breast cancer, as Matar discussed in 2018 with the Khaleej Times.[10] She also founded the UAE's Down Syndrome Association. In 2017, Matar gave the keynote speech at an event honoring healthcare professionals in the UAE.[11]

Matar has spoken in the press about rare diseases in the UAE,[12] about periods of time when women should avoid making important decisions,[13] about funding for health care initiatives in the UAE,[14] and challenges for women in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] She has co-hosted a daily radio program, "Akhirlak" about public health in the UAE.[16]

In 2012, Matar was named one of the 100 most powerful Arab women by Arabian Business magazine, and, in April 2015, as one of the "100 most powerful Arabs under 40" in Science.[17] She was recognized by the Islamic Sciences Journal as among the most influential Muslim female scientists, in 2014.[18] Matar has twice been ranked fourth among Arab researchers and "the most powerful Emirati female researcher in science", according to The Arab Weekly, which also reported, in 2018, that Matar aspired to be the first Arab woman to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.[19]

Selected publications

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bharakda . Arif . The 12 Female Muslim Scientists Paving The Way To A Better Future . The Muslim Vibe . 19 March 2022 . 18 February 2022.
  2. Book: Forster, Nick . The Rise of Women Managers, Business Owners and Leaders in the Arabian Gulf States . 2017-09-07 . Cambridge University Press . 978-1-107-14346-3 . 59 . en.
  3. Web site: Hill . Jessica . 2014-06-19 . Day in the life: Emirati doctor Maryam Matar . 2022-12-12 . . en.
  4. Web site: Crompton . Paul . 2014-12-24 . The Arab world's top 5 unsung heroes of 2014 . 2022-12-12 . . en.
  5. Web site: 2016-09-29 . H.E. Dr Maryam Matar . 2022-04-10 . Top of Her Game . en-US.
  6. Web site: 2014 . Dr. Maryam Matar, MD . 5 December 2021 . www.biotechworldcongress.com . Biotechnology World Congress.
  7. Web site: 29 July 201 . UAE 'on track to stamp out genetic disease' Dubai . 19 March 2022 . tradearabia.com . Trade Arabia.
  8. Morris . Olivia . September 2020 . Power Pioneer . Emirates Woman . en . 134–135 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220410110030/https://issuu.com/motivatepublishing/docs/ew_092020 . April 10, 2022 . 2022-04-10.
  9. Web site: Masudi . Faisal . December 11, 2017 . Screening for new gene mutations in children soon . 2022-04-10 . Gulf News . en.
  10. News: Zain . Asma Ali . 11 September 2018 . Genetic testing to help doctors treat diseases in UAE . Khaleej Times . ProQuest.
  11. Web site: Haziq . Saman . January 16, 2017 . Excellence awards for UAE's healthcare heroes . 2022-04-10 . Khaleej Times . en.
  12. News: Chaudhary . Suchitra Bajpai . 9 June 2021 . Greater understanding and awareness of rare, genetic diseases stressed in UAE . Gulf News; Dubai [Dubai] . ProQuest.
  13. News: 22 September 2014 . Don't make important decisions while menstruating, says top female doctor in UAE . 7DAYS; Dubai [Dubai] . ProQuest.
  14. News: Townsend . Sarah . 16 December 2017 . Prominent UAE scientist urges greater investment in preventive health care . The National; Abu Dhabi [Abu Dhabi] . ProQuest.
  15. News: Marray . Denise . 30 July 2020 . Arab International Women's Forum highlights pandemic challenges, race for vaccine . Arab News; Jeddah [Jeddah] . ProQuest.
  16. Web site: «الأولى» في رمضان برامج وفواصل نبضها الهوية والأصالة . The “first” in Ramadan programs and breaks the pulse of identity and originality . 2022-12-13 . Albayan . 30 March 2022 . ar.
  17. Web site: 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40 . www.arabianbusiness.com . Arabian Business . 5 December 2021.
  18. Web site: UAE scientist among 'most influential women' . www.muslim-science.com . Muslim Science . 5 December 2021.
  19. News: Khalad . Shahd . Maryam Matar aims to be the first Arab woman to be awarded Nobel Prize in medicine . 19 December 2021 . The Arab weekly.

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