Dr Randa Ribhi Hamadeh, Consultant in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), has been awarded the King Hussein Cancer Research Award in the Lifetime Achievement category for the Regional Track for the year 2024.

The award was presented yesterday by Prince Talal bin Mohammed on behalf of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, during a ceremony honouring 13 Arab scientists and researchers residing around the world, who were recognised for their contributions to cancer research in the years 2023 and 2024. These researchers emerged from a competitive field of 472 applicants from over 20 countries.

On the occasion, His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of AGU, expressed his delight at this significant scientific achievement by Dr Hamadeh in the field of cancer research. He extended his best wishes for her continued success and further scientific accomplishments.

“Dr Hamadeh’s receipt of this award is an esteemed achievement, adding to the series of accomplishments of the academic staff in medical education at the Arabian Gulf University,” Dr Al Fuhaid said while he also expressed pride and appreciation for Dr Hamadeh’s ongoing research contributions to enhance and sustain the health sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf region.

The presentation of awards in the King Hussein Cancer Research Award aims to initiate Arab scientific initiatives that will serve as the foundation for scientific advancement in the Arab world. The award was established to honour Arab scientists and researchers who have distinguished themselves in cancer research, recognising their perseverance, creativity and innovation.

It is noteworthy that the recognition of Dr Hamadeh comes in appreciation of her significant contributions to cancer prevention. She holds a PhD in Community Medicine from the University of Oxford, a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, and a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from the American University of Beirut.

Since 1991, she has served as a professor of Community Medicine and consultant at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at AGU. Dr Hamadeh has played a pivotal role in incorporating public health issues into the college’s curriculum and in developing and implementing graduate programmes in health. She is also a founding member of the Anti-Smoking Society in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 

Furthermore, Dr Hamadeh’s extensive research output includes 195 studies, with over 106,561 citations to date, resulting in an h-index of 57. She has worked as an expert, consultant and coordination officer with various organisations, including the World Health Organisation and the Bahraini Ministry of Health, as well as several academic institutions. 

Notably, Stanford University ranked her among the top 2 percent of scientists globally in 2024, 2021, and 2022, and she also received the title of Best Scientist at the Arabian Gulf University in 2021, along with recognition as the top female scientist in Bahrain for that same year, according to the Alper-Doger Scientific Index.