Emirati woman leads advanced research in genomics, medicine and Artificial Intelligence

The participation of Emirati women in science is no longer measured solely by their presence in classrooms or laboratories, but rather by their ability to advance in their scientific careers, lead research, build scientific teams and contribute to the development of technologies and solutions that create a societal impact.

In this context, Al Khaleej met with Dr. Halima Al Naqbi, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

Al Naqbi began her journey at the university as a biomedical engineering student before progressing through laboratory work, doctoral studies and postdoctoral research to become a faculty member leading research projects in some of the most advanced fields of medicine.

Nowadays, her research extends from cancer and precision medicine to genomics, immunogenetics, digital health and AI. However, for her, these fields are not separate paths, but rather different tools to answer one question: How can we employ big data and technology to extract knowledge that leads prevention efforts, supports medical decisions and contributes to shaping the future of health?

Passion for science

“My interest in biomedical engineering stemmed from the conviction that it combines scientific discovery, technology and the potential to improve human health. As I advanced in my academic career, my interests expanded to encompass genomics, immunogenetics and molecular biology, fields that are fundamental to the future of medicine, Al Naqbi said.

“The UAE’s ambition in the fields of genomics and biotechnology gave me added impetus to contribute to building advanced national scientific capabilities and to developing healthcare technologies and solutions that originate in the UAE and compete globally. What continues to drive me today is the transformation of complex biological data into practical innovations that benefit patients, strengthen our research ecosystem and cement the UAE’s position in precision medicine,” she added.

Al Naqbi’s research focuses on one of the most significant challenges in precision medicine: integrating and analyzing vast amounts of multi-dimensional data to uncover the molecular mechanisms of diseases, identify biomarkers and understand patient variability and differences in treatment response.

In this context, genomics, multi-Omics and AI are employed in research addressing cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and disease-causing mutations with the aim of discovering biological patterns that may help researchers understand disease risks, progression and treatment responses.

UAE Atlas

One of the key projects led by Al Naqbi is the UAE Multi-Omics Cancer Atlas, which aims to develop a comprehensive scientific resource to support cancer research and precision oncology applications.

The project is based on a fundamental fact: cancer is not a single disease and tumors that appear similar do not necessarily behave the same way in all patients; therefore, a deeper understanding of genetic and molecular differences could pave the way for more personalized approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment, she said.

Al Naqbi’s research career reflects this intersection of advanced science and future applications. She has published work in international scientific journals and, in 2025, received a research award from META AI for a project utilizing AI to prioritize genetic variants and identify disease-causing mutations.

Additionally, she received an award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary research grant through a collaboration between Khalifa University and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

Khalifa University

However, Al Naqbi’s story is not just about her research; it is also about the path that led her to her current position.

“Khalifa University has been central to every stage of my professional development—from student to faculty member, encompassing laboratory work, my PhD, and postdoctoral research,” she said.

“This journey enabled me to experience the academic and research ecosystem from various vantage points—as a student, technical specialist, researcher, professor, and project leader—with responsibilities gradually expanding from laboratory work to supervising graduate students, developing academic programmes and leading scientific initiatives,” she added.

Al Naqbi believes that the multidisciplinary research environment at Khalifa University, combined with its alignment with the nation’s strategic priorities, has enabled her to work at the intersection of engineering, biotechnology, medicine, AI and data science and to forge local and international research partnerships that have helped expand the scope of her research.

For Al Naqbi, the evolution of Emirati women’s presence in science is reflected not only in the number of women enrolling in scientific disciplines but also in the roles they have come to assume within the scientific and research ecosystem.

“Women’s participation is no longer limited to enrolling in scientific disciplines; they now lead laboratories, secure competitive research funding, found companies, contribute to national programmes and represent the UAE in international forums,” she said.

Here, the transition from participation to leadership and impact becomes a more ambitious benchmark for progress; supporting Emirati women in science is measured not merely by the number of female students or researchers, but by their ability to lead research programmes, secure funding, build teams and laboratories and participate in decision-making and the shaping of research and innovation orientations.

“Khalifa University plays a pivotal role in preparing Emirati talent—not merely to participate in scientific fields, but to lead them and shape their future orientations,” she said.

Her journey embodies what can be achieved when scientific opportunities are coupled with confidence, responsibility and the drive to progress.

When Al Naqbi looks at the next generation of Emirati women, her message goes beyond merely choosing a scientific specialization; she urges aspiring female researchers to prepare for the sciences of the future and to work at the intersection of multiple disciplines.

“They must build a solid scientific foundation in their chosen field while simultaneously developing the ability to work at the intersection of AI, data science, engineering, entrepreneurship and public policy—for the most significant future discoveries and innovative solutions will emerge at the convergence of these fields,” she said.

“Most importantly, they see themselves as capable of forging a new path—rather than merely following an existing one—and turning their own progress into an opportunity to empower others to advance alongside them,” she added.

Al Naqbi’s success story is not merely an individual narrative; rather, it exemplifies the broader trajectory of Emirati women in science—moving from education to research, from research to leadership and from leadership to creating meaningful impact.

It is a journey in which the researcher’s ambitions align with the university environment and the vision of a nation that invests in people, science and innovation—ensuring that Emirati women are not only present in the future of science but are active partners in shaping it.