The Annual Research Forum 2026

Theme: “Innovating Healthcare: Bridging Research and Practice”
27–28 January 2026 | Sidra Medicine Main Auditorium, Doha, Qatar

Overview

The Annual Research Forum (ARF) 2026 brought together researchers, clinicians, trainees, and industry leaders under the theme “Innovating Healthcare: Bridging Research and Practice.” Hosted at Sidra Medicine, the two-day forum provided a dynamic platform for showcasing scientific discovery, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing the translation of research into clinical impact.

ARF 2026 highlighted Sidra Medicine’s commitment to research excellence and regional leadership in translational medicine. The forum featured keynote lectures from international experts, oral abstract presentations, panel discussions, and an interactive workshop focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

By connecting research innovation with patient-centered care, ARF 2026 reinforced Sidra Medicine’s mission to integrate cutting-edge science into everyday clinical practice and improve health outcomes across Qatar and the region.

Conference Objectives

Showcase research conducted by Sidra Medicine staff and trainees
Strengthen national and international research collaborations
Highlight Qatar’s research infrastructure and translational capabilities
Promote the integration of research findings into clinical care
Explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare

Day 1: Sidra Trainees Annual Research Symposium

Day 1 focused on empowering trainees through research presentation and academic engagement. Selected trainees delivered oral presentations across diverse clinical and translational disciplines, receiving feedback from expert judges.

The afternoon thematic workshop explored Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, featuring interactive sessions on:

AI-assisted scientific writing and peer review
Responsible innovation and ethical considerations in AI
Practical applications of AI tools in clinical research

The day concluded with awards recognizing excellence in trainee research.

Day 2: Main Forum

The second day centered on regional and international collaboration in translational research.

Highlights included:

Keynote presentations on global research partnerships and clinical innovation
Updates on research operations and translational programs at Sidra Medicine
Competitive oral abstract presentations spanning clinical research, genomics, oncology, metabolic disease, pediatrics, and precision medicine
A multidisciplinary panel discussion on advancing research collaboration in the GCC and MENA region
Research excellence awards and closing remarks

The forum demonstrated the breadth of research at Sidra Medicine, from biobank-driven genomic discovery to AI-enabled healthcare innovation.

Call for Abstracts (Closed)

ARF 2026 invited submissions aligned with the conference theme, including:

Clinical and translational research
Artificial Intelligence applications in healthcare
Medical education innovation
Patient outcomes and healthcare delivery

Abstracts were limited to 300 words and structured by Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.

Impact

ARF 2026 strengthened Sidra Medicine’s research ecosystem by fostering dialogue between clinicians, scientists, and industry partners. By emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and implementation, the forum contributed to advancing precision medicine and evidence-based healthcare practice in Qatar and beyond.