Scientists, physicians and other health care practitioners are gathering in Doha, Qatar, to present and share the latest scientific research on the causes and treatment of diabetes, obesity and the metabolic syndrome at the XVII International DALM Symposium.
Hosted by Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, the Qatar Foundation and the Giovanni Lorenzini Medical Foundation, the DALM Symposium — held March 14 to 16 — is the first international conference to be hosted as part of the five-year strategic plan to develop the biomedical research capacity at WCMC-Q.
The conference (www.dalm2011qatar.org) will be co-chaired by Dr. Antonio M. Gotto Jr., the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College; Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCMC-Q; and Dr. Rodolfo Paoletti of the Giovanni Lorenzini Medical Foundation.
Speakers at the symposium include Weill Cornell faculty members Dr. Ronald Crystal, chairman of the Department of Genetic Medicine; Dr. Alvin Mushlin, chairman of the Department of Public Health; Dr. Francesco Rubino, associate professor of surgery; Dr. Louis Aronne, clinical professor of medicine; and Dr. William Borden, the Nanette Laitman Clinical Scholar in Public Health/Prevention — Women's Health.
"Symposia such as this one help broaden our understanding of the genetic, environmental and cultural risk factors related to obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome," Dean Gotto said.
In addition to co-chairing the event, Dean Gotto will chair a satellite symposium on "Pitavastatin: A New Statin and Its Role in Metabolic Syndrome," as well as moderate — along with Dr. Sheikh — the discussion "Challenges of Diabetes, Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome: Implementing Therapeutic Strategies in the Middle East."
The program, which features keynote presentations by international experts as well as panel discussions, will cover the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome; lifestyle modifications in patients with or at risk for these disorders; the applicability of international prevention and treatment guidelines for populations within the Middle East; economic and public health challenges; novel risk factors, emerging biomarkers and genetic testing; and clinical information related to treatment of women, young people and the elderly.
"As Qatar's only medical college, we welcome the opportunity to help bring scientists and physicians together to focus on significant issues in patient care here and around the world," Dr. Sheikh said.