Emphasis is placed on students as adult learners, the development of skills of critical analysis and problem-solving, collaborative work in groups and an early introduction to patient care.

Two broad research themes have been identified:
a. Genetic & Molecular Medicine research program
b. Women & Children's Health research program.

Four research modules are proposed that span these two themes.

1. Genetic Medicine: The major goal of this proposal is to develop laboratory, clinical research and human infrastructure at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar to carry out independent, high-quality genetic medicine studies in Doha. The focus will be exclusively on lung and breast cancer.
2. Stem Cell Research: This project will establish independent stem cell research laboratories in Doha, with the aim of facilitating the use of stem cells to treat common ailments in Qatar like diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses.
3. Neurogenetic Disorders of the newborns: Genetic disorders affecting the central nervous system are among the most devastating and costly ailments. The goal of this project will be to establish accurate rates of neurogenetic disorders as well as to delineate the genetic basis of these maladies. This should lead to improved prenatal diagnosis and optimized prevention strategies including folic acid and other supplements in at-risk pregnant women.
4. Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Development: The goals of this project will be:
   • to establish an acute respiratory infections laboratory in Qatar
   • to develop vaccines for use against a wide variety of pathogens
   • to increase the flexibility of responses to new organisms and thereby the ability to respond quickly to an urgent need for vaccines against a growing number of emerging pathogens.

The process has been initiated of developing core capabilities in research laboratories, including the shared-use core facilities and early-phase research administration positions. These capabilities, which form the basis of any modern research program, will include genomics and proteomics, computational biology and biostatistics, a vivarium, microscopy, and a basic laboratory support core.

These capabilities will be available for collaborative research with faculty from branch campuses within Education City and other educational and health care institutions in Qatar.