Doha – May 2, 2023: A Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) alumnus has been awarded a grant by a leading pharmaceutical company for a research project to investigate the impact of an anti-COVID drug on recipients of organ transplants. 

Dr. Ayman Al Jurdi, who graduated from WCM-Q in 2015, is currently a transplant nephrology fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), one of the most highly ranked healthcare institutions in the US. His principal clinical and research interests are prevention of infections in immunocompromised kidney transplant patients, treatment of antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplant patients, and treatment of antibody-mediated diseases of the glomeruli, clusters of tiny blood vessels within the kidneys where blood is filtered to extract waste for excretion.

Dr. Al Jurdi received the award from the multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for his grant proposal for a study of the efficacy of Evusheld - a medication used to prevent COVID-19 in adults and adolescents who are immunocompromised due to medical conditions or immunosuppressive medications – for patients who have had an organ transplant. 

After graduation from WCM-Q, Dr. Al Jurdi completed a three-year residency in internal medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, where he also spent a year as chief resident. He then completed a three-year nephrology fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and MGH, before taking up his current position. The study for which the grant was awarded is titled ‘Impact of Evusheld on SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 Variant Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.’

Dr. Al Jurdi said: “To me, this award represents recognition of the impactful research I have performed to prevent infections and improve the lives of people with organ transplants. This award will support moving this research project a step further so we can learn more about using monoclonal antibodies for pre-exposure prophylaxis in people who have organ transplants. My training at WCM-Q helped prepare me for my career as a physician-scientist in two main ways, firstly by always encouraging scientific curiosity by asking questions and exploring the science behind current practices, and secondly, by providing training in biostatistics and research methods to help develop a foundation of understanding of the basics of clinical research.”

Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, professor of clinical medicine and vice dean for academic and curricular affairs at WCM-Q, said: “We are so proud of Ayman’s work and very pleased that his great dedication to his patients and his research has been justly rewarded with this prestigious grant. WCM-Q strives to produce physician-scientists who work to improve patient outcomes through scientific research, and Dr. Al Jurdi exemplifies this approach perfectly.”