Scientific Committee

Dr. Ali Almehaidib

Head Section, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition | Saudi Arabia

Dr Ali Almehaidib is a consultant pediatric gastroenterologist, Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He completed his residency at KFSHRC and his fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology and clinical nutrition at Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada in 1994. Dr Almehaidib is currently the Head Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, KFSHRC. The Chairman of Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Examination Committee, Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. Dr Almehaidib is the founder of Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship program in Saudi Arabia and has trained 43 fellows serving now as consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologists in different provinces of Saudi Arabia as well as Arabian Gulf countries. In 2006, he established the Riyadh pediatric Gastroenterology club monthly meeting. Dr Almehaidib is one of the founders of the Saudi Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and he serves as an elected Board member since it was established. He was the ex-chairman of the Scientific committee and the communication and marketing committee and currently he is the chairman of the Continuous Development Committee at SASPGHAN. Dr Almehaidib has 45 publications in peer revied journals and >200 presentations at national, regional and international conferences.

Prof. Amr Mattar

Head of the EgSPEN (Egyptian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) | Egypt

Professor Of Anaesthesia , SICU, And Pain Management Cairo University. Head Of The Clinical Nutrition Unit, French Teaching Hospital Cairo University. Head Of The EGSPEN (Egyptian Society Of Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition). Vice President Of The EMASO (Egyptian Society For The Study Of Obesity) . Clinical Nutrition Consultant. Pain Management Consultant. Head Of The European Egyptian Diploma Of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN Diploma) In Egypt ESPEN Council Member. ESPEN Faculty Staff Member.

Dr. Dana Al-Ajmi

Dietitian | Oman

Provide personalized nutritional care plan according to the medical condition. Deliver nutritional advice on disease control and prevention with consideration of nutritional requirements, physiological makeup, and other medical histories. Ability to teach and inform the public and health care professionals about diet and nutrition. Provide nutrition support and education to individuals and groups.

Dr. Eiman Abdulla Al Hinai

Head of clinical nutrition and dietetics | Oman

Eiman Al Hinai is the head of dietetics and nutrition department in Al Nahdha hospital with PhD degree in clinical nutrition from Reading University, UK. She has been providing nutritional counseling for almost 22 years and helped thousands of people manage their diet with their specific diseases and to lose weight and improve their quality of life. Eiman has been a keynote speaker at conferences, lectures, school and cooperation across the country and outside the country. Furthermore, Eiman conducted international conferences, workshops, symposiums and other. Furthermore, Eiman published several scientific papers in high ranked journals.

Dr. Faisal A. Alsehli

Assistant professor | Saudi Arabia

Doctor of Pharmacy graduated from UTHSC, USA, and finished my specialized, Pediatrics/Neonatal residency program at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, one of the best Seven children’s hospitals in the USA; specializing in Neonatal/Pediatrics ICU clinical pharmacy in KING ABDULAZIZ MEDICAL CITY – RIYADH. I hold a position as an Assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy and Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz, for Health Science University in Riyadh. A master's degree and a High Diploma in Health Systems and quality management from Liverpool University in collaboration with King Saud University for Health Science. I won the First place award for my research by leading my team in Neonatal ICU from Saudi National Patient Safety Award in 2018 for his innovative project, which decreased Neonates fractures from twenty cases per year to Zero. I was one of the leaders in the innovation of new programs such as (Discharge Counseling, Neonatal Bone Health, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Strategic planning in education … etc.). Honored to be a part-time advisor for the health sector transformation offices under his royal highness crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman vision 2030.

Dr. Fatema Al-Haddad

Chief Dietitian | Bahrain

Fatima Al-Haddad is a Clinical Dietitian from the Kingdom of Bahrain. She has been working as a Clinical Dietitian in the Salmaniya Medical Complex for the past 17 years. Fatima obtained her BSc. in Nutrition with a Major in Dietetics from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, after which she went on to earn a Fulbright Scholarship and obtained a MSc. in Public Health Nutrition with a Minor in Public Health from the University of Knoxville-Tennessee in the United States. She has a passion for infant and child nutrition and her focus on diabetes was the drive behind her PhD thesis from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom. Her area of research focuses on child health with an emphasis on evidence-based strategies for improving health outcomes in these populations.

Dr. Faten Maaytah

Consultant Pediatrician | Jordan

Consultant pediatrician and new-born's IBCLC. International lactation consultant. Member of Executive committee of Jordanian society. Member in scientific committee in many conferences.

Dr. Hadia Radwan

Clinical Dietitian, Associate Professor | United Arab Emirates

Dr. Hadia Radwan has earned her BSc. and MSc. from the American University of Beirut in Nutrition and Dietetics and her Ph.D. from Teesside University –UK. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at the College of Health Sciences, the University of Sharjah since September 2013. She had worked previously in several hospitals as a dietitian and nutrition training specialist and organized many nutrition and dietetic training programs and workshops for the dietitians. She had many publications in the area of nutrition and dietetics. Her areas of research include Maternal and child nutrition. She is the PI for several research projects grants: Al Jalila Foundation Grant: Mother and Infant Cohort Research (MISC), as well as another grant from Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences: Examining Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Infant Feeding Method, and Postnatal Mental Health among Women in the United Arab Emirates: A Cohort Study.

Dr. Ismail Halahleh

Medical Nutrition Consultant | Palestine

Mr. Ismail M. Halahleh has received his MSc. Degree from the University of Jordan in 1992 in the field of nutrition science. He was graduated in 1988 from the Jordan University of Science and Technology, faculty of medicine, in the field of Public Health with specialization in nutrition. Mr. Halahleh started his work as a clinical dietitian Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem. He was then promoted to Head of Nutrition and Dietetics Department and acted as clinical nutrition instructor and clinical trainer for nutrition specialization students from different Palestinian Universities. Currently, he is a nutrition instructor at Palestine polytechnic University and Head of Medical Professions Department, the Faculty of Medicine and Health professions. During the last years Mr. Halahleh acted as a Nutrition consultant for WHO and Flagship projects in Palestine that responsible for Palestinian Health Sector Reform and Development. Mr. Halahleh participating in formulation the Nutrition profession National Law responsible for Dietitians Licensure in Palestine. Then he was elected as the president of Palestinian Dietitians Syndicate.

Prof. Kalliopi Anna Poulia

Assistant Professor of Clinical Dietetics  | Greece

Kalliopi Anna Poulia is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Dietetics in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, in the School of Food Science and Nutrition in the Agricultural University of Athens and registered Nutritionist – Dietitian in Greece.  

Dr. Khaled Sewify

FRCPE, EDIC, FCCP | Saudi Arabia

HEAD OF ICU/CONSULTANT INTENSIVIST AT MILITARY HOSPITAL, DHAHRAN. DIRECTOR OF EN/PN COMMITTEES AMERICAN BOARD CERTIFIED IN CLINICAL NUTRITION DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL CRITICAL CARE NUTRITION COURSE.

Dr. Krystel Ouaijan

RD, CNSC, PhD candidate | Lebanon

Chief Dietitian - Saint George Hospital University Medical Center PhD Global Health/Doctorate Health Economics - University of Geneva Lecturer - American University of Beirut

Dr. Maisam Waid Akroush

Member and Fellow of the British Royal College of Physicians | Jordan

Member and Fellow of the British Royal College of Physicians Consultant of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Former Royal Medical Services and former Jordanian Ministry of Health Former UK Hospitals (St. Georges Hospital and UCLH) Private health sector (since 2012) Member of the Board of Trustees of the Hashemite Charitable Organization by a Noble Royal Will 2021- date Member of the Steering Committee of the Jordanian Physicians Syndicate 2020-2022 Former media Spokesperson, Chairperson of the Scientific Committee, Fee Estimation of the Committee running the work of the Jordanian Medical Association Former head of the Interns Training Committee / Jordan Medical Council Member of the National Committee for Antimicrobial Resistance

Dr. Marlain Swaiss

Consultant Clinical Dietician | Jordan

Marlain Odeh Swaiss is consultant clinical dietitian Holds her Bsc degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from Jordan University Certified international professional trainer. CIPT Certification from university of London. Certified Teacher from European Society of Clinical Nutrition & Metabolism on Lifelong learning Program. Certification in life coaching from Ithraa Center under Higher Educational Ministry. 2 years’ experience as head of Nutritional department in Luzmilla Hospital. 16 years of experience as Business Unit Manager in Abbott Nutrition international. 5 years’ experience in Nutritional Educational & Training field under MOH approved center. Founder of Trizara Nutrition Center. Member of ESPEN European society for clinical nutrition & metabolism & American society of Nutrition.

Dr. Maya Bassil

Associate Professor/Head of the Human Nutrition Department | Qatar

Dr. Bassil received her BS in Nutrition & Dietetics and MS in Human Nutrition from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Consequently, She completed her PhD in Human Nutrition at McGill University, Canada then moved to the Lebanese American University as an Assistant Professor (later promoted to Associate Professor), before joining Qatar University in Fall 2021.  Dr. Bassil's research addresses Nutrition in obesity & diabetes as part of the interdisciplinary diabetes management.

Dr. Mirey Karavetian

Senior Research Associate; Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) | Canada

M Karavetian is Senior Research Associate; Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE), at University of Toronto, Canada. Her previous role was an Associate Professor in the college of natural health sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, UAE. She has earned her PhD in “Health Promotion” from Maastricht University, Netherlands, and her dietetics degree from American University of Beirut, Lebanon. She has extensive experience in nutrition management of the chronically and critically ill patients; she shares her experience in conferences and workshops locally and regionally in the aim of training health care professionals for better health care. Her research focuses on identifying effective strategies to change dietary behavior in chronically ill patients. Her publications focus on malnutrition assessment & dietary management of chronically ill patients and finding the optimal dietitian-to-patient ratio in the Arab world for optimal clinical outcomes.

Dr. Moh'dnour Mahmoud Bani Younes

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist | Jordan

A Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with A Master's Degree in Clinical Pharmacy and Five Boards With 16 Years of Practical Experience.

Dr. Nida Barqawi

Clinical Dietitian | United Arab Emirates

Clinical dietitian at LMC. TLLL ESPEN instructor at ESPEN(European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism). MSc in Clinical Nutrition

Dr. Rana Ghassan Rizk

PhD, MPH, LD. Assistant Professor of Nutrition | Lebanon

Dr. Rana Rizk is an assistant professor of nutrition at the Lebanese American University. She earned a PhD in Health Medicine and Life Sciences from Maastricht University, The Netherlands, an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the Lebanese University, an MS in Clinical Nutrition and a BS in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. Her research focuses on the burden of chronic diseases and on the potential of nutritional interventions in improving health outcomes and decreasing healthcare costs, ultimately leading to change in health policy and clinical practice.

Dr. Reem Al Saadi

Director of Dietetics and Nutrition | Qatar

Ms. Reem Al-Saadi is a Clinical Lead for Metabolic Dietetics and Director of Dietetics & Nutrition Department at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha-Qatar. She is also an Honorary Faculty Staff in Dietetics Department at Qatar University. She has completed her bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition from Qatar University. Then, she did her postgraduate training in the dietary management of inherited metabolic disorders (IMD) at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto–Canada. She has a wealth of experience in pediatric and adult dietetics, having worked as a clinical dietetic specialist for almost 20 years. Her involvement in all aspects of IMD has spanned almost all her working life. As director of the Department, she helps oversee the inpatient/outpatient management of all IEM patients, diet and formula instruction, computer diet analysis, and the medical foods distribution center. Ms. Al-Saadi is one of the most trusted dietitians to Classical Homocystinuria (HCU) patients in Qatar and the Region. Her main research interests include maximizing the benefits of the early diagnosis through newborn screening (NBS) and pre-symptomatic treatment with diets to improve health outcomes and prognosis in children with IMD. In addition, Ms. Al-Saadi has contributed to many publications surrounding nutrition management and HCU. Ms. Al-Saadi participates in several projects that help with the development of translational clinical research. She is the Co-founder of MEMU (Middle East Metabolic University), which provide an academic training as well as practical aspects of dietetic management of IMD. She has also participated as a speaker in many national, regional and international IMD conferences. Her outstanding dedication and hard work in improving newborn screening and more specifically the HCU community.

Prof. Sanaa Youssef Shaaban

Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University (Egypt) | Egypt

University professor, clinician and researcher in the field of Pediatric nutrition with more than 30 years of exceptional record, experience and contributions in teaching nutrition knowledge and skills to medical students and health care professionals as well as applying such expertise for the welfare of patients. Awarded Ain Shams University award for distinguished papers published in international journals in the year 2008 Founder and Head of the Nutrition Rehabilitation Unit Children’s Hospital, 1997 till 2010, and Collaboration with various specialized clinics in the children’s hospital Ain Shams University to provide specific nutritional rehabilitation protocols.Teaching nutrition and clinical nutrition courses diploma and master degree in pediatric department faculty of medicine and Institute of childhood studies Ain Shams University. Supervision of more than 300 master degree and PHD thesis in Pediatrics; mainly in the field of clinical nutrition and nutritional disorders, with 25 international publications. Instructor of medical nutrition therapy diploma in AUC. Founder of clinical nutrition rehabilitation unit , EL GALAA Military Hospital. Board member in Middle East allergy guidelines. Board member in Egyptian complementary feeding guidelines. Project in collaboration with 57357 hospitals, NAMRU-3

Dr. Tariq AlMusawi

Consultant Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease and Critical Care Medicine | Bahrain

Dr. Tariq AlMusawi is an American trained and American Board certified consultant physician in internal medicine, infectious disease and critical care medicine at Dr Sulaiman AlHabib Hospital, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. AlMusawi is an Associate Professor in Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI-MUB) in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He had been a speaker in many local, regional and international conferences in his areas of interest which are multi-drug resistant Gram negative bacteria, fungal infections and antimicrobial stewardship in intensive care units, as well as an instructor to many critical care courses. He had received several awards and published widely in the field of infectious disease and critical care medicine.

Dr. Wafaa Ayesh

Consultant Clinical Dietitian, RD, MsN, ESPEN Diploma, founder of Sweet Kids Group, Vice President ASPCN | United Arab Emirates

Mrs. Wafaa Helmi Ayesh is the Previous Director of Clinical Nutrition Department for Dubai Health Authority-Dubai. She graduated from the medical Allied Sciences Yarmouk University, Jordan, before gaining an M.Sc in Food Science and Nutrition from Clayton University in the USA. Her other qualifications include Diploma in Nutrition from the American Association of Continuing Medical Education, the European ESPEN Diploma in Nutrition & Metabolism and Diploma in Therapeutic Nutrition. She has also set the Accredited Curriculum in the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and is Adjunct and Advisory Board Member as well as part-time lecturer for College of Health Science in University of Sharjah.