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H.E. Dr Maryam Matar

Founder & Chairperson
UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAEGDA)

Dr Matar needs little introduction.

Here are some of her amazing achievements:

Dr. Maryam Matar honored by HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance on the occasion of International Women’s Day Award; scientist and doctor of the most influential and tenders in the community for its substantial role in the health sciences field between the two fifths of the women characters of all nationalities in the UAE.

  • Dr. Maryam Matar has been selected as The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) World of Difference 100 Award recipient 2015 under the Public Service/Government Category for her contribution to the economic & science empowerment of women.
  • In 2015 Dr. Maryam Matar received an Achievers Award as one of the most powerful women in Middle East and first woman in genetic research field & CSR by UNASCO- UAE.
  • World Leadership Congress and Awards has awarded Dr. Maryam Matar as “Young Achiever” Award in 2015.
  • The U.S. Department of State honored Dr. Maryam as an outstanding woman in science throughout the Middle East North Africa region 2015 for her scientific achievements professional accomplishments and ability to motivate and inspire young women to pursue scientific careers.
  • Dr. Maryam Matar selected among the 100 most powerful Arab under 40, has been ranked 33 of the list of “100 most powerful Arab under 40” in Science launched by the magazine “Arabian Business” in April 2015.
  • The International Alternative Investment Review (IAIR) magazine has awarded Dr. Mariam Matar the prestigious title of the “IAIR AWARDS(R) – Woman of the Year 2014” – with support from the European Commission.
  • In addtion Dr Matar was voted ”Woman of the Year 2014” Humanitarian award by Emirates Woman Magazine.
  • Dr. Maryam Matar presented as “The Most Inspirational Speaker” with her participation in SME BEYOND BORDERS – Global Models for Success on 30th December 2014 by CPI Media Group.
  • In 2014 Dr. Maryam Matar selected among the Muslim-Science.Com’s List of Twenty Most Influential Women in Science in the World.
  • In addition Dr Matar has been ranked number 41 in CEO Middle East magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Arab Women.
  • In addition Dr Matar has been ranked number 41 in CEO Middle East magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Arab Women.
  • Chosen by Gulf Medical University to be the “Heroes of Healthcare International” in 2013.
  • 2013: Dr Maryam Matar Received the Women Awards- Middle East 2013 MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE the 3rd PetrochemGR8! The awards recognize the contribution of Indian women and is an initiative by Indian Television Academy & GR8! Magazine. Dr Matar ranked 60 among the 100 most powerful Arab women in Since Sector and she was placed number 10 among the 11 Most Powerful Emirati Women in 2013.
  • Received the L’Officiel Arab Woman Awards 2012 Dubai in Medical November 2012.
  • Her abilities also honoured her to be the First Women to be a Board Member of Global Strategic Initiative on Advanced Radiation Medical Science Vienna/Austria (NGO GSI-ARMS).
  • Dr Maryam was selected by the Arab League’s Scientific and Humanitarian Development Program of the Arab Women Organization (AWO) 2012-2013 as an Ambassador of Goodwill for Women and Children in the Arab world.
  • Furthermore Dr Matar currently holds many distinguished positions including Deputy Chairperson of Dubai Cares the Founder & Chairperson of the UAE Genetic Diseases Association which has achieved under her leadership outstanding successes, such as scanning more than 13000 students for early detection of genetic blood diseases and creating a database of 11380 Emiratis for the UAE’s most prevalent genetic blood disorders. The UAEGDA has also succeeded in launching a free clinic in Jumeirah & manufacturing of MANAL Medicine and the Chairperson of Youth in Action also receiving international accreditation from the University of Yamaguchi in Japan and NEQAS in English and the Emirates Authority for Standardization as well as the membership of HUGO and TIFF.
  • In addition Dr Maryam holds several posts including the Board Member of Damas International Dubai Women Establishment and Board Member of the Marriage Fund for 4 years.
  • In 2008 first Emirati Woman to be entrusted as Director General within the Government of Dubai. Dr Maryam Matar held the post of Director General of the Community Development Authority (CDA) which undertakes the responsibilities of formulating and delivering social policies and services that are in line and contribute to the achievement of the social development objectives of Dubai’s Strategic Plan 2007 – 2015 as launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. During that time Dr Matar was the team leader of the executive team that set up social development strategies for Dubai Strategic Plan.
  • Dr Maryam Matar is also the first Emirati woman to bear the title Undersecretary to the Minister of Health in 2006 during which she worked on designing blueprints for Primary and Public Health care sector and implementing it. Moreover, she launched a number of initiatives to deliver Primary Health Care services in the Northern Emirates and increase the number of PHC centres from 52 to 79 in less than one year and to get the smoking ban low with major modifications of the fitness screening low.
  • During her career Dr Maryam Matar was assigned to different high profile positions including Head of Community Studies and Programs Section 2002 Primary Health Care within the Department of Health and Medical services and Medical Advisor for the Treatment Abroad Advisory Committee 2005 (Customs and Free Zone Corporation).
  • She is also the Founder and Director of Wellness Centres at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai and Dubai Ladies Club2002-2005 as well as launching a number of community outreach programs and awareness campaigns such as the “UAE Free of Thalassemia 2012” in 2007 “UAE Down’s Syndrome Association” in 2005 and “The UAE Genetic Diseases Association” in 2006 which provides care and services to families all around the UAE from more than 17 nationalities.
  • Throughout her career Dr Maryam Matar received many awards annually from 1999 to 2012 for example: H.H Sheikh Rashid “Academic Excellence” Award in 1999 and the award for Best Health Care Project among UAE’s Higher Colleges of Technology in 2002 in addition to the “Distinguished Employee” award from Dubai’s Government Excellence Program in the Department of Health and Medical Services in 2003. She was also awarded “Best community project” in 2004 in Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development and the award for Emirates Business Women Award in 2005 2007 & 2008.
  • Dr Maryam Matar honoured by His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman the spectrum within the program selected to be the Heroes of Healthcare in Gulf Medical University Ajman on March 13 2013.
  • She is currently finishing her PHD Research in Common Blood Genetics disease in UAE from Yamaguchi University in Japan with 11380 samples from UAE nationals and hopes to achieve even more success in collecting evidence based data & statistics about prevalence genetic diseases throughout the UAE.