Scientific Committee

Fatima Al-Haddad

Chief of Department | Bahrain Government Hospitals

Fatema Al-Haddad is a Clinical Dietitian from the Kingdom of Bahrain. She is the Chief of Department at Bahrain Government Hospitals. 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.

Mirey Karavetian

Senior Research Associate | University of Toronto

Mirey has a PhD in Health Promotion from Maastricht University, and a dietetics degree from American University of Beirut. She has worked in several Middle Eastern countries as university professor and a clinical dietitian. After relocating to Canada in 2021, Mirey has worked on nutrition research projects with principal investigators from McMaster, Calgary, and Toronto Metropolitan Universities before assuming her current position as a senior Research associate at the faculty Kinesiology and Physical education at University of Toronto. Her research focuses on finding effective strategies to enhance dietary and exercise habits to prevent and manage non-communicable chronic diseases in at-risk and/or clinical populations. She also aims to improve the health care policies that can facilitate this transformation. She shares her experience in conferences and workshops locally and internationally. In her free time, she likes to stay active and spend quality time with family and friends.

Reem Al-Saadi

Director of Dietetics and Nutrition Department | Hamad Medical Corporation

Ms. Reem Al-Saadi is a Clinical Lead for Metabolic Dietetics and Director of Dietetics & Nutrition Department at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha-Qatar. She has a wealth of experience in pediatric and adult dietetics, having worked as a clinical dietetic specialist for almost 21 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.

Sanaa Youssef

Consultant of Pediatric Clinical Nutrition, President of ASPCN | Ain Shams University

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

Wafaa Ayesh

Consultant Clinical Nutrition | Tadawi General Hospital

Wafaa Helmi Ayesh, Consultant Clinical Dietitian & Head of Nutrition at Al Tadawi General Hospital, is a leader in clinical nutrition. She is the President of the Emirates PEN Society. Also, as President of the Middle Eastern Alliance of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition Congress, she contributes significantly to the field. Wafaa directs the Master's Degree in Applied Nutrition Program at the University of Sharjah and has a history of service at Dubai Health Authority. With a Master's in Food Science and Nutrition, she initiated projects like DHA@Home and Tummy Fish. Wafaa, the first Arab recipient of an ESPEN diploma, actively contributes to education, co-founding Sweetkidz Group and receiving awards such as the "Sheikh Hamdan Award" and "Excellence in Healthcare.

Amal Kenanah

Lecturer | Prince Sultan University

- A professional Clinical Dietitian, holding a Master Degree in Sports and Nutrition with many years of distinctive experience in this field. - Lecturer in Prince Sultan University in Riyadh. - Managed nutrition departments in many hospitals, presenting in many scientific seminars and conferences national and international, also spreading awareness of individuals and society about health and lifestyle. - Was a broadcaster in many TV programs. And now acting as an Influencer in social media. - Recently did a research with Prince Noura bint Abdulrahman University and was published - Board member in; Chairman & CEO in Kayl Association for fighting obesity Saudi Society for Clinical Nutrition Autism Families Association"

Amjad Jarrar

Lecturer | UAE University

UAE University Amjad Jarrar is currently working as Lecturer at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Health since 2003. He has a PhD in Human and Sport Nutrition from Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Oxford Brookes University, UK. His professional experience includes 26 years as University Instructor for three Universities and more than 10 years as sport nutrition consultants. His research interest in Sport Nutrition, Nutrition Awareness, Assessment of salt intakes, Glycaemic index of foods, Obesity, Nutritional interventions against metabolic syndrome and dietary managements for Noncommunicable diseases. He has published 29 articles in Peer Reviewed Journals with h-index Scopus 14

Doaa Genena

Associate Professor | Alexandria University

Associate Professor and Clinical Nutrition Consultant - Medical Research Institute (MRI)- Alexandria University, Egypt. Director of the Training Program (internship) for the graduates of nutrition department (Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Pharos University in Alexandria). Formerly, Assistant Prof & Head of Nutrition and dietetics dep. Faculty of Health sciences Beirut Arab University (BAU), Beirut Lebanon, and Lecturer, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Pharos University in Alexandria (PUA), Egypt). President of the Alexandria Physician Nutrition Association.

Faten Maaytah

Consultant Pediatrician | Private Clinic

Consultant Paediatrician and new borns IBCLC. International lactation consultant. Member of the Executive Committee of Jordanian Society. Member in scientific committee in many conferences

Fawaz Al Refaee

Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist | Al Adan Hospital

Dr. Fawaz finished medical school at Faculty of Medicine ,Kuwait University (MBBS) then went to Canada to obtain residency in Pediatrics at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada, then Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and nutrition fellowship at University of Alberta, Canada. Furthermore, Dr.AlRefaee he is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).He is having special interest in celiac disease, nutrition, functional GI diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. AlRefaee is a member of many national and international societies like north American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition( NASPGHAN).

Hadia Radwan

Associate Professor | University of Sharjah

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 Associate Professor and chair of the 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 project 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.

Ismail Halahleh

Clinical Nutrition Consultant | Palestine Polytechnic University

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.

Khaled Sewify

Consultant Intensivist & Head of Adult ICU | King Fahd Military Medical Complex - Dhahran

Khaled Sewify is the Head of ICU/Consultant Intensivist at Military Hospital Dhahran. He is also the Director of EN/PN Committees, American Board certified in Clinical Nutrition, Director of International Critical Care Nutrition course, and Editor on 8 international journals

Krystel Ouaijan

Assistant Professor | American University of Beirut

Dr. Krystel Ouaijan, an Assistant Professor in Public Health Nutrition at the American University of Beirut, possesses a rich tapestry of expertise in nutrition and global health, refined over a decade. With a PhD in Global Health, her focus gravitates towards food security, malnutrition, and the economic nuances of health policies. From a solid foundation as a Clinical Dietitian providing tailored nutritional care, Krystel was the chief dietitian of Saint George Hospital Dietitian leading the nutrition support team in the critical care units. Ascending in her career, she has spearheaded consultancy initiatives, crafting health policies to battle malnutrition more expansively. Her contributions are evident in pioneering national studies on malnutrition and the economic ramifications of nutrition screening. Esteemed within governmental technical committees, she plays a vital role in framing emergency nutrition and health strategies. Beyond clinical research and policy-making, Krystel is engaged in multiple public service initiatives, serving as a founding member and General Secretary of the Lebanese Order of Dietitians and as nutrition expert in the technical committees of the Lebanese Standard Institution.

Marleine Moukarzel

Pharmacy Director | SSMC

Dr. Marleine is the pharmacy department Director at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City since February 2020. She has 30 years Hospital experience. Graduated in 1994 from Saint Joseph University, Beirut Lebanon as Doctor in pharmacy. She received the Board Certification in Nutrition Support (BCNSP) in 2007 and the Board Certification in Pharmacology (BCPS) in 2009 from the American Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties, then she had the, certified practitioner in Health Quality (CPHQ) in 2011 and she became certified in medical Quality from the American board of Medical quality in 2019. She is leading a team of more than 100 pharmacy staff in a 600 bed destination medical centre where the pharmacy is fully automated with Robots and Automatic dispensing cabinets and the medication management and use processes hospital wide are the responsibility of the pharmacy department. Throughout her career she established a pharmacist-based preparation of sterile Parenteral Nutrition solutions following ASPEN (American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) guidelines and a pharmacist-based preparation of chemotherapy following OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) guidelines, CIVA (centralized IV admixture) service and unit dose distribution service at Mafraq Hospital. Dr Moukarzel believes in multidisciplinary approach to patient care and patient safety where pharmacist role is to assure medication safety at every step of medication distribution from procurement till administration and monitoring. She is also an advocate of the importance of communication among health care providers to assure continuity of care and also proper education and training at every step of care delivery. She was a speaker in the first ADPHAC, DUPHAT, medication safety conference, Al Noor hospital conference and Burjeel hospital conference, she presents to the IV PN network and she is the chair of Mena pharmacy conference 2022, 2023 and 2024 and SSMC pharmacy symposium 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Maya Bassil

Head of Human Nutrition Department | Qatar University

Dr. Maya Bassil has more than 12 years of experience in the academic field of Nutrition & Dietetics. She earned her PhD in Human Nutrition from McGill University, Canada, in 2011. Currently, she holds the position of Associate Professor and serves as the head of the Human Nutrition Department in the College of Health Sciences at Qatar University (QU). Dr. Bassil is a licensed dietitian, having completed her BS in Nutrition & Dietetics in 2003 and her MS in Human Nutrition in 2005 from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Throughout her career, Dr. Bassil has been actively involved in designing and instructing various undergraduate and graduate Nutrition courses. She brings extensive expertise in accrediting Academic Nutrition programs, by the prestigious Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the American Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (AND). Dr. Bassil is also an active researcher with particular research interest addressing Nutrition in obesity and diabetes as part of the inter-professional disease management. Dr. Bassil has published in several top tier reputable journals; she is a recipient of several awards and research funds (including grants from the National Institute of Health NIH). She has participated and been invited to various local, regional and international conference and serves as an editorial board member and an ad hoc reviewer for various peer-reviewed journals.

Rana Ghassan Rizk

Assistant Professor | Lebanese American University

Dr. Rana Rizk is an Assistant Professor of Nutrition and the Chairperson of the Nutrition and Food Science Department 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 outcomes and decreasing costs, leading to change in health policy and clinical practice.

Suzan Haidar

Associate Professor | Lebanese International University

Dr. Suzan Haidar’s academic journey started at the University of Western Ontario, in Canada, where she graduated with double degrees in Biology (medical sciences) and an honors degree Nutrition and Dietetics. She later pursued a master’s degree in human nutrition from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon and then a PhD in Health Promotion from Maastricht University, Netherlands. Dr. Haidar is a licensed dietitian who has gained extensive clinical experience from working in several hospitals in Lebanon. Her research interests focus mainly on lifestyle habits as related to cardiometabolic risk. She is currently an associate professor and internship coordinator at the Lebanese International University. Dr. Haidar currently serves as an elected member of the first board for the Order of Dietitians, in Lebanon, and is a member of the European Society for Enteral and Parenteral nutrition where she is a certified LLL instructor.

Tariq AlMusawi

Associate Professor | Ireland-Medical University

Dr. Tariq AlMusawi is an American-trained and American Board-certified consultant physician specializing in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and critical care medicine. He currently serves as Chief of chiefs of Critical Care at Saudi German Hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition to his clinical leadership, Dr. AlMusawi holds an academic appointment as Associate Professor of Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI-MUB), where he contributes to the education and training of future healthcare professionals. Dr. AlMusawi is a respected speaker and educator, having presented at numerous local, regional, and international conferences. His areas of clinical and research interest include multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, invasive fungal infections, and antimicrobial stewardship in intensive care settings. He also serves as an instructor for various critical care training programs. Recognized for his contributions to the field, Dr. AlMusawi has received multiple awards and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals in the domains of infectious diseases and critical care medicine.