Head of Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University;

Member of the Scientific Committee for Preclinical and Clinical Studies, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA); and Member of the Standing Committee for Promotion (Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy), The Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities

Prof. Ebtehal El-Demerdash has over 100 peer-reviewed articles in the field of medical sciences (pharmacology and toxicology) published in international ISI-ranked journals since 2000. Her research focuses on exploring new drugs and investigating the mechanisms underlying their effects. Prof. El-Demerdash has won a number of scientific awards and certificates of merit. Most importantly, in 2010 she won the Encouragement State Prize in Medicine from the Egyptian Academy of Science and Technology Research. In 2011, she was honored as Northern Region winner of the prestigious award; African Union Kwame Nkrumah Science Prize. In 2013, two of her publications won the Misr El-Khair Prize for International Publishing. In 2018, she won a grant from Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) to establish the first Center of Excellency for Preclinical and Translational Research in Egypt at Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University. In 2019, she won the Ain Shams University Appreciation Award in Medical field. In 2020 so far, she is nominated in Stanford University List of the World’s Top 2% Scientists.

Title:  COVID-19 and Science Diplomacy: Lessons for the Future Global Pandemic Challenges

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the public health, economical, educational, societal, and geopolitical spheres. The community of the entire world was eagerly hoping that a group of scientists despite their country or background can find a solution for COVID-19. To address global emergencies, all countries must cooperate to design, implement, and review countermeasures to avoid adverse consequences and fatalities. Unfortunately, despite WHO's efforts, some countries have fought the COVID-19 pandemic independently without cooperation. Thus, COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of international collaboration, potentially using “Science Diplomacy”. So, along with public health authorities, politicians, and officials, scientist-diplomats or diplomat-scientists are essential to guide and facilitate decision-making during the pandemic. This lecture will focus on the use of Science Diplomacy as an effective tool to combat future global pandemic challenges.