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Hayat Sindi

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Hayat Al Sindi (Arabic: حياة سندي; born 6 November 1967) is a Saudi Arabian biotechnologist and medical scientist who is one of the first female members of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia.[1] She is famous for making major contributions to point-of-care medical testing and biotechnology.[2][3] She was ranked by Arabian Business as the 19th most influential Arab in the world and the ninth most influential Arab woman.[4][5] In 2018, she was listed as one of BBC's 100 Women.[6]

Hayat Sindi
Sindi in 2012
Born
Hayat al-Sindi

(1967-11-06) 6 November 1967 (age 56)
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
CitizenshipSaudi Arabia Saudi Arabian
Alma materKing's College London (BSc)
Newnham College, Cambridge (PhD)
Scientific career
FieldsMedical research
Thesis Studies on a Novel Electromagnetic-Acoustic Sensor

Early life and education

Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Sindi remained in Saudi Arabia and did not learn English until she decided to relocate with the intention of attending a university.[7] In 1991, she persuaded her family to allow her to pursue higher studies in England,[8] where after a year spent learning English and studying for her A-levels, she was accepted to King's College London,[9] where she graduated with a degree in pharmacology in 1995. While at King's College, she was a recipient of Princess Anne's Award for her undergraduate work on allergy. In 2001, Sindi became the first Saudi woman to obtain a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of Cambridge and then furthered her studies at MIT and Harvard.[10]

Sindi, who wears the traditional Muslim headscarf, was pressured to abandon her religious and cultural beliefs while at university; she persisted, holding the view that a person's religion, color, or gender has no bearing on scientific contributions.[11] Sindi went on to get a Ph.D. in biotechnology from Newnham College, Cambridge in 2001; she was the first Saudi woman to be accepted at Cambridge University in the field of biotechnology,[12][13] and the first woman from any of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf to complete a doctoral degree in the field.[3][9]

Career

Hayat Sindi is a visiting scholar at Harvard University;[14][15] as such, she travels often between Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts.[3] Sindi's laboratory work at Harvard earned her a spot with four other scientists in a documentary film supported by the Executive Office of the President of the United States in order to promote science education among young people.[16] Along with her scientific activities, Sindi participated in numerous events aimed at raising the awareness of science among women and girls, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World in general. She is also interested in the problem of brain drain,[9] and was an invited speaker at the Jeddah Economic Forum 2005.

 
Sindi With Rafael Grossi.

Hayat Sindi was a major influence in starting three companies, either as cofounder or founder: Diagnostics for All (DFA),[17][18] which aims to create low-cost devices that can be used in developing countries to diagnose diseases; Sonoptix; and i2 (the Institute for Imagination and Ingenuity),[19] which promotes science education and innovation among younger generations. Her entrepreneurial philosophy is simple: “A true scientist should focus on affordable simple solutions to reach everyone in the world.”[20]

In 2010, Sindi was the winner of the Mekkah Al Mukaramah prize for scientific innovation, given by HRH Prince Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud. She was also named a 2011 Emerging Explorer by the National Geographic Society.[13]

On October 1, 2012, Sindi was appointed by UNESCO head Irina Bokova as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for her efforts in promoting science education in the Middle East, especially for girls.[2][9][21][22][23][24] She was also on Newsweek's list of 150 women who shook the world for that year.[12]

In January 2013, Sindi again broke new ground by becoming part of the first group of women to serve in Saudi Arabia's Consultative Council.[15][25][26]

In 2013, she became the first Saudi and female scientist to be appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, fostering the integration of science and social impact.[27] Additionally, she has presented her work in the House of Commons.

In the annual meeting of Clinton Global Initiative held on September 21–24, 2014, Sindi was awarded the Leadership in Civil Society prize.

In 2018, Sindi launched the IsDB's Transform Fund, which is worth $500 million.[13] The fund supports innovators in finding solutions to development challenges through the power of innovation.[28] It is the first digital hub of its kind for the developing world.

Sindi is a member of Saudi Arabia's Shura Council and the UN Scientific Advisory Board, and a senior advisor to the Islamic Development Bank's President of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Saudi Arabia.[7] In an interview with UNESCO, Sindi said, "If anything, I would like to think that I have inspired girls to pursue a career in science if that is what interests them."[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Irfan Muhammad and Afshan Aziz, Hayat Sindi to women: Opt for a career in science. Arab News, Thursday, January 17, 2013.
  2. ^ a b UNESCO Media Services, Saudi Arabian woman researcher Hayat Sindi to be appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. UNESCOPRESS, October 1st, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Laura Bashraheel, Hayat Sindi – The Saudi global icon Archived 2013-04-18 at archive.today. Saudi Gazette, Monday, December 24, 2012.
  4. ^ Arabian Business, 19: Hayat Sindi Archived 2012-06-17 at the Wayback Machine. The World's Most Influential Arabs, 2012.
  5. ^ Arabian Business, 9: Hayat Sindi, Revealed: 100 Most Powerful Arab Women 2012.
  6. ^ "BBC 100 Women 2018: Who is on the list?". BBC News. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b c National Geographic Society. (n.d.). "Explorer Profile: Hayat Sindi, Biotechnologist". National Geographic.
  8. ^ Women in the world: Saudi innovator Hayat Sindi's science breakthrough at The Daily Beast.
  9. ^ a b c d UNESCO, Inspiring youth: Hayat Sindi.
  10. ^ LIYSF. (n.d.). "Professor Hayat Sindi".
  11. ^ Elizabeth Broomhall, Hayat Sindi interview: A passion for science. Arabian Business, Sunday, April 15, 2012.
  12. ^ a b Hayat Sindi to women: Opt for a career in science Archived 2013-02-10 at the Wayback Machine. Coastaldigest.com, Thursday, January 17th, 2013.
  13. ^ a b c Hayat Sindi at National Geographic.
  14. ^ Alaa Al-Twaireb, Hayat Sindi to narrate her experiences today Archived 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine. Saudi Gazette, Wednesday, June 16, 2010.
  15. ^ a b Hamida Ghafour, Saudi women join king’s advisory council for first time. Toronto Star, Friday, January 11th, 2013.
  16. ^ Ahmad Al-Kinani, White House chooses Hayat Sindi for ‘Million Minds’ Archived 2013-04-18 at archive.today. Saudi Gazette, Wednesday, March 24, 2010.
  17. ^ "DFA". DFA. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  18. ^ Sindi, Dr. H. (2022, November 18). "Building a bridge between possibility and hope through social innovation". TED.
  19. ^ "Hayat Sindi". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Leading Biotechnologist Shares Path, Advice with IND Students". Institute of Notre Dame. 30 October 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  21. ^ United Nations official site, Saudi Arabian female researcher Hayat Sindi to be appointed UNESCO advocate. October 1st, 2012.
  22. ^ Editor's Choice, Here's to you, Mrs. Sindi! Saudi researcher is UN 'Goodwill Ambassador', albawaba.com. October 3rd, 2012.
  23. ^ UNESCO's official site, Dr. Hayat Sindi, Saudi medical researcher, to be named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
  24. ^ Saudi woman researcher chosen UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Arab News, Wednesday, October 3, 2012.
  25. ^ David Ignatius, Newfound status for Saudi women. The Washington Post, January 18, 2013.
  26. ^ David Ignatius, Reforms may be too slow to save Saudi king from revolt. The Australian, January 23, 2013.
  27. ^ University of Cambridge. (2023, November 7). "‘Challenge yourselves’ urges Honorary Fellow Dr Hayat Sindi". Newnham College: University of Cambridge.
  28. ^ IsDM. (n.d.). "THE TRANSFORM FUND". Islamic Development Bank.

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