Dr. Tawfeg Ben-Omran
Dr. Ben-Omran received his speciality training in clinical and metabolic genetics at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada. He is a fellow of both Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPS) and Canadian College of Medical Genetics (FCCMG). He is also fellow of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (FACMG). Currently, he is a senior consultant and Head of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics at Hamad Medical Corporation. He is an Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar and New York-USA. He is also a Distinguished Visiting Scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital-USA.
He contributes to the body of published knowledge in clinical and metabolic genetics, with over 60 published articles in peer reviewed journals, book chapters and abstracts. He is reviewer for many clinical genetics journals.
He is an active clinical researcher, collaborating on projects with local, regional and international communities. He is a lead primary investigator in many high profile research projects and clinical trials to evaluate the long-term effects of enzyme replacement therapy in patients with different lysosomal storage disorders. His main scientific interests in phenotypic and molecular delineation of consanguineous population include genetics of brain malformation and microcephaly, white matter disorders and novel therapies for Qatar patients with Homocystinuria. In addition, Dr. Ben-Omran is an external advisor and expert for E-HOD (European registry and network for homocystinurias and methylation defects.
He is recognized as an expert in genetic disorders of the Arab population. His national and international presence is clear. In 2013, he received the "Princess Aljawhara Center Award for The Best Research in Basic Genetics", the most competitive and prestigious awards. He received a Research Award from MRC-HMC for the Homocystinuria project and a Stars of Excellence Award 2011 for both Pioneering Newborn Screening and specialized care of Genetic Diseases in the Middle East. Recently, he was awarded the Stars of Excellence in Research 2014: Cutting Edge of Research in Medical Genetics.
He has memberships in many societies including: American Society of Human Genetics, European Society of Human Genetics, Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Middle East Metabolic Genetic Group, the Middle East & North Africa Newborn Screening Initiative, Middle Eastern Lysosomal Storage Diseases Expert Council Advisory Board, Child Health Research Advisory Committee, International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis, Chairman of Middle East Metabolic Dieticians Group & Founder Member & Regional Representative of SSIEM Adult Metabolic Physicians Group.
