On Thursday, June 25th, 2026, Aya Basil Salim, a student in the Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Development (MDD) program at the College of Pharmacy, successfully defended her Master’s thesis titled “Phytochemical and biological investigations of Conocarpus species collected from UAE.” The thesis was supervised by Dr. Ahmed Elbanna (Main Supervisor), Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, and co-supervised by Dr. Naglaa Saad, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy, Dubai Medical University, UAE.
Aya’s research focused on exploring the therapeutic potential of local flora, specifically analyzing the chemical composition and biological profiles of Conocarpus species collected within the United Arab Emirates. By isolating and characterizing key phytochemical components, her study evaluated their biological activities to identify potential novel lead compounds for drug development. This research highlights the significant value of local biodiversity in finding sustainable, plant-derived solutions for modern therapeutic challenges.
The thesis examination committee included Dr. Marieka Gryzenhout (External Examiner), Associate Professor of Genetics in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa, and Dr. Nazeerullah Rahamathullah (Internal Examiner), Associate Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University.
During the public oral defense examination held in Lecture Hall 1, Aya was able to effectively present her research findings and defend her conclusions, demonstrating a deep understanding of phytochemistry and her area of study. The examination committee commended her on the thoroughness and significance of her work, concluding that she had successfully completed her thesis.
This achievement is a significant milestone for Aya Basil Salim. We congratulate her on her hard work and dedication to her studies and wish her continued success in her future endeavors in the field of drug discovery and development.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 15: Life on Land; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
