19 Mar 2026

Dalal Hammoudi

As catalysts for change and equity, women in science have the power to reshape narratives, not only by their achievements, but also by sharing stories rooted in passion, resilience, and advocacy. These stories illuminate pathways for others, especially in spaces where equity is still being built.

In the fields of pharmacy and pharmaceutical research, the journey is rarely walked alone. It is shaped through mentorship, collaboration, and shared goals. Educated as a pharmacist, my early curiosity in microbiology evolved into a deep commitment to health education, fueled by questions about how we can improve health outcomes through inclusive, evidence-based education that leaves no one behind.

As I entered academia, it became clear that success was not just about personal advancement and promotion across various roles and responsibilities. Success is about challenging existing norms, amplifying diverse voices, and creating environments where others could thrive. Women navigating the intersecting responsibilities of research, leadership, and caregiving need community, opportunity, and systems designed with equity in mind, so that we can effectively show up for our career and for each other. 

In my academic roles, and beyond teaching and research, supporting women students and colleagues who face uncertainties became vital to my development. My aim has been to co-create environments where curiosity is celebrated, confidence is cultivated, and leadership is nurtured.

With unprecedented challenges in my beloved home country, Lebanon, I had to pass through a transition from Lebanon to Qatar, paralleled with a shift from almost two decades of pharmacy education to a broader path of health education, academic quality, and accreditation/assessment roles at Qatar University Health Sector. I am still excited to explore what this milestone of my career will bring, and I’m ready for learning and growth. One defining chapter in this journey was the Qatar University–Harvard Graduate School of Education Fellowship, which sharpened my awareness of tools to pursue educational reform rooted in empathy, innovation, and collaboration.

My academic profile features a Google Scholar H-index of 21 and Scopus H-index of 17, with over 2000 citations, reflecting sustained contribution to health, education, and pharmacy research. While these metrics offer one lens of measurement, I still believe that the true value of research lies in the positive impact it makes on communities and the lives it touches.

Currently, my research explores attitudes toward artificial intelligence in health education, a rapidly evolving area that raises essential questions about access, ethics, and gender equity in tech-driven science. Among my scholarly contributions, I’m especially proud of my research into mental health in academia. Although my 2023 review article on faculty mental health has been cited over 200 times (and still counting), and was featured by a leading journal, I believe that its true impact lies in bringing visibility to the emotional labour and mental toll disproportionately affecting educators. It reinforces the importance of wellness, recognition, and work-life balance as non-negotiables in academic equity. I am deeply thankful to all colleagues who read, cited, or discussed this issue to keep the conversation about educators' well-being active and ongoing. In an effort to better connect with academic colleagues and with people, my next landmark will be completing a life coaching certification, to combine my passion for teaching with tools to support personal growth, so I can partner with others not just in what they learn, but also in who they become.

Through every role I’ve held—researcher, mentor, mother, and educator—I’ve come to believe that equity in science should be intentional. It must be embedded in how we design policy, shape curricula, mentor others, and redefine leadership. Empowerment of women in science should not be confined to events and celebrations, but should be a long-lived practice.

As I contribute to the FIP Women in Science platform, I do so with deep appreciation for the women whose efforts paved the way, and with a sense of responsibility to those rising up. Science doesn’t just need more women; it needs structures that recognise, support, and celebrate them.

Common Year Coordinator, Office of Assessment and Accreditation, QU Health, Qatar University