ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A medical research summit in Erbil on Friday provided a platform for students to present their ideas and work on a range of topics from diagnosis to treatment.
“Together we can make research more accessible, more engaging, and equip students with necessary supplies,” said Sanaa Kawes Faris, president of the Kurdistan branch of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA).
"Today, I invite you all, students, faculty members from all over Kurdistan and from all medical universities, and partners to join us hand in hand with this mission,” she added, noting that research can change lives when it is taken out of scientific journals and into real world applications.
IFMSA-Kurdistan has formed a standing committee, called SCORE, to standardize medical research across the Kurdistan Region, according to Faris.
This was the second annual IFMSA-Kurdistan National Research Summit, a partnership between Hawler Medical University and IFMSA. Rudaw Media Network is a sponsor. The top three projects will receive awards and support for academic publication.
“We believe that learning is not confined to a classroom. It's a lifelong pursuit fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas. Our presence here today reflects that belief,” said Noor Yousef, from the Classical School of the Medes.
One researcher presenting his work was Ibrahim Mohamed with a meta-analysis comparing cardiac MRI (CMR) and positron emission tomography (PET) for diagnosing cardiac inflammation.
An accurate diagnosis “is not only essential but could potentially be life-saving,” he said, noting that the gold standard, an endomyocardial biopsy, is invasive.
“In the case of patchy disease, where cardiac MRI might not detect it, PET can be more valuable,” Mohamed said. He recommended using CMR as a first-line tool for suspected myocarditis, with PET as a follow-up, and urged future studies to control variables for more accurate comparisons.
Jodi Ramadan presented what he called “the backbone of this summit” - the first student-conducted study in Kurdistan on research development among undergraduates.
“Pushing students to do research helps their creative and critical thinking, which is the only way to win the race against AI if you don’t want to die,” Ramadan said.
In a survey of students from seven medical colleges, Ramadan found a lack of knowledge about research. “In a nutshell, we saw low knowledge, low practice, many barriers, but a positive attitude,” he said, recommending making research a mandatory subject in all medical colleges.
Rose Hatam presented a study on breastfeeding practices in Erbil. She found that while 76% of mothers had good knowledge about breastfeeding, only 29% exclusively breastfed for six
months. The study also found that the majority of mothers trusted healthcare professionals, yet only 20% relied on them as a primary source of information.
She said her research was “an opportunity for healthcare providers to step in and dismantle these beliefs once and for all.”
Abdulrahman Osama presented a systematic review comparing two treatments of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia - dexamethasone and prednisolone.
He noted that “more than 23,000 cases” of the disease are fatal each year. His review of 15 studies found that dexamethasone improved survival rates and cut central nervous system relapse rates by nearly half, but it also carried higher risks of infections and other side effects.
He recommended individualized protocols and called for more local, adult-focused research to improve outcomes for children.
