The 17th season of Qatar Foundation’s premier edutainment initiative, Stars of Science, has revealed its seven finalists who are developing innovative solutions to address pressing regional issues. Hosted at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), the show continues its mission of nurturing Arab talent, with this year’s contestants presenting groundbreaking inventions in surgery, health, sustainability, and environmental protection.
Advancing Surgical Precision
Two innovators are focused on enhancing surgical outcomes. Mohamed Kahna from Tunisia is developing a real-time surgical guidance system that acts as a GPS for laparoscopic procedures, providing visual and auditory instructions to improve precision. From Jordan, Khaldoun Megdady has created a 3D coronary artery simulation platform. This allows surgeons to rehearse complex bypass surgeries on AI-generated anatomical models, offering a new level of pre-operative planning and risk reduction.
Innovations In Sustainability And Environment
Addressing the green transition, Mohammad AlShaikh Saleh from Jordan has developed an AI-powered system that uses physics-based modeling to predict battery failures in electric vehicles, a crucial tool as the GCC’s EV market expands. Meanwhile, Mohammed Al Mur Al Salmi from Oman is tackling marine pollution with an enzyme-based spray that prevents bacterial buildup on underwater surfaces. His invention offers an eco-friendly alternative to the toxic coatings currently used, protecting vital marine ecosystems.
A Focus On Health And Wellbeing
The remaining finalists are pioneering new approaches to health and wellness. Laid Dardabou from Algeria has invented a smartwatch-integrated tracker that monitors vitamin D and other biomarkers to help users manage their mental wellbeing, a significant innovation for a region with high rates of vitamin D deficiency. Saudi Arabia’s Razan Bahabri is transforming stroke rehabilitation with a gamified therapy system that makes recovery exercises engaging while allowing for remote clinical monitoring. Finally, Ryad Hadj Habib from Algeria has developed a system using a natural property of scorpion venom to protect cancer treatments from the immune system, thereby improving their precision and effectiveness.
About Stars of Science
Stars of Science is an edutainment TV initiative by the Qatar Foundation that has been empowering Arab innovators for 17 years. The show provides a platform for young Arab entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into tangible solutions that address regional needs. Over a 12-week process, contestants develop and test their projects with mentorship from experienced engineers and product developers. An expert jury assesses the projects in multiple rounds, with a combination of jury deliberation and public online voting determining the winners of the Grand Prize.
Source: Zawya
