Doctor Reem Al-Sulaiman celebrated for transformational impact on the lives of women living with cancer in Qatar.
The work of Doctor Reem Al-Sulaiman from Regent’s University London has today been named as one of the UK’s 100 best breakthroughs for its significant impact on people’s everyday lives.
Doctor Al-Sulaiman, a PhD graduate in Counselling and Psychotherapy is honoured in the UK’s Best Breakthroughs list of the last century for her pioneering work as a board certified cancer genetic counsellor, working at the National Centre of Cancer Care and Research at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar.
Doctor Al-Sulaiman’s research focused on breast cancer patients by exploring women’s experience with breast cancer and the benefit of crisis counselling and psycho-education for women with early stage breast cancer.
At the National Centre of Cancer Care, Doctor Al-Sulaiman provides risk assessment of hereditary predisposition based on personal and family histories, counselling patients on genetics and hereditary syndromes in addition to ordering appropriate genetic testing and interpreting genetic test results.
Identifying a genetic diseases and more precisely hereditary cancer syndromes can significantly impact the psychological wellbeing of patients and their families. Through her practice, Doctor Al-Sulaiman offers patients and their families psychological support and teaches them several methods to cope with their diagnoses and/or carrier status, as well as making necessary referrals through a multidisciplinary approach.
Professor Lisa Doodson, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences said: “It is a truly fantastic achievement for Reem and subsequently the University to be featured in the UK’s Best Breakthrough list. We’re extremely proud of the work of our students and academics, and in this case, Doctor Al-Sulaiman in particular, and the difference they are making to people, lives and communities.
“The MadeAtUni campaign is an incredibly important initiative for Regent’s as it allows students, alumni, the local community and the wider population to understand the work that our students and academics do and the impact it has.”
The list of breakthroughs demonstrates how UK universities are at the forefront of some of the world’s most important discoveries, innovations and social initiatives, including the discovery of penicillin, work tackling plastic pollution, ultrasound scans to check the health of unborn babies and the establishment of the Living Wage.
The list also highlights the less celebrated but vital breakthroughs that transform lives, including a specially-designed bra to help women undergoing radiotherapy; a toilet that flushes human waste without the need for water; the development of a new scrum technique to make rugby safer; a sports initiative that aims to use football to resolve conflict in divided communities; - and even work to protect the quality of the chocolate we eat.
The list was compiled by Universities UK, the umbrella group for UK universities, as part of the MadeAtUni campaign to change public perceptions of universities and bring to life the difference they make to people, lives and communities across the UK.
It follows independent research undertaken by Britain Thinks which found that the public has little understanding of the benefits of universities beyond undergraduate teaching. The findings show that research is one of the key triggers to change opinion about universities but for many people, it is an abstract concept.
Professor Dame Janet Beer, President of Universities UK, said: “Universities really do transform lives. The technology we use every day, the medicines that save lives, the teachers who inspire – all come from UK universities and the important work being done by academics.
“The UK’s Best Breakthroughs list is a testament to the difference that universities make to people’s lives and we want everyone to join us in celebrating the work they do.”
The UK’s Best Breakthroughs list: 100+ Ways Universities Have Improved Everyday Life was put together in partnership with universities across the UK. As part of the MadeAtUni campaign, every university in the country was invited to nominate the one thing from their institution which they believe has had the biggest impact on people, lives and communities. Over 100 universities submitted a nomination. The entries cover health, technology, environment, family, community and culture and sport.
You can find out more about the UK’s Best Breakthroughs and the MadeAtUni campaign here www.madeatuni.org.uk.