The Doctors of the Future Scholarship Program, sponsored by WCMC-Qatar, challenges Qatari high school students each year to write an essay on a specific field of medicine. The winners receive a fully funded two-week trip to learn more about life as a physician-researcher at Weill Cornell Medical College and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. This month, two high school students, Fahad Hamad Al-Marri and Faten Faisal Aqeel, scholarship winners, flew to New York City from their native Qatar to tour the campus, work in research labs, attend formal lectures and shadow physicians.
Being honored by one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country was a dream for the teenagers, who were chosen from among more than 50 essayists.
Fahad and Faten got the opportunity to learn about their favorite topic: medicine. Fahad, 17, a high school senior, and Faten, 16, a high school junior, who are both from Doha, Qatar, worked in labs and clinics around the Hospital. They also attended a pulmonary clinic and saw patients with Dr. Ronald Crystal, the Bruce Webster Professor of Internal Medicine, chairman of the Department of Genetic Medicine and chief of the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine.
Faten and Fahad with Dr. Ronald Crystal.
Motivated by one of her friends previously winning this award, Faten couldn't wait to get some hands-on experience. "The clinic is what I am most excited for. To be able to work with Dr. Crystal and see patients with him will be an unforgettable experience," she said.
Participants in the competition wrote about key health care issues that could occur in 2022, the year the World Cup will take place in Qatar. Fahad's essay dealt with the emergency measures he would take as a future doctor to ensure a safe World Cup, while Faten wrote about how to provide the finest health care to Qatar's guests and prepare for the large number of people expected to visit Qatar during the event.
Fahad and Faten learned basic laboratory skills, including antiseptic techniques and how to use a pipette. They participated in ongoing experiments, including culturing cells and photographing the various stages of cell growth.
"Practicing science is not the same as reading it from a book," Fahad said. "Beginning with a question and ending with countless possibilities — that's what this is all about. Discovering something new, hands on."
Before wrapping up their stay, Fahad and Faten each made a presentation to Dr. Crystal and his colleagues at the Genetics Therapies Meeting, in which they discussed their work on gene transfer applications and staining techniques that allow researchers to determine how many of each type of cell they have. They also reported on their clinical activities including lung function testing and screening of potential subjects for clinical research projects.
"You have been terrific," Dr. Crystal said after the students made their final presentation. "It's not easy getting up in front of a group of strangers and presenting such extensive research. We look forward to seeing you in Doha."
Photography by Amelia Panico.