Libyan doctor Khairiya Ohaida has been awarded the title "Scientist of the Year 2020" in the "Medical and Health Sciences/ Clinical Medicine/ Oncology" category from the US International Achievement Research Center (IARC) for her scientific research on breast cancer medicine.
Dr.Khairiya, a Ph.D. in Tumor biology breast cancer and a faculty member at The Sirte University, told The Libya Observer that her research has been ranked as one of the world's top 20 scientific papers in oncology.
Dr.Ohaida explained that her project was about discovering a primary breast cancer gene scientifically called galectin-7 in Ductal Carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) and its role in preventing cancer from spreading.
On the basis of her findings, Dr. Ohaida proposed a multi-step hypothesis for the progression of DCIS to invasive breast cancer, which could be used in the clinic to predict how likely an individual’s DCIS is to progress.
Her findings were considered a "very exciting and entirely novel finding" as it has the potential to stratify patients for a more tailored management of their disease, according to the (IARC).
"Research can make important contributions to scientists' efforts in controlling oncologic diseases and finding new treatments, Dr. Ohaida said.
She expressed her desire to continue her scientific work, but this would require the interest of the authorities, and in this context, she called on stakeholders to support her in developing her research.
"There is a need to establish research centers throughout Libya, and my hope is to see such a facility in my hometown, Dr. Ohaida added.
It may be important to note that Dr. Khairiya Ohaida Ahmed is a medical graduate from the Department of Human Medicine of Sirte University. She obtained her master's and doctorate degrees from the Queen Mary University of London in 2015.
Dr. Ohaida had also received an award from the Breast Cancer Conference held in Belgium in 2012, as her project was ranked among the world's top 20 scientific papers on breast cancer.