A 20-year-old Emirati has been recognised as one of the Global 200 Powerful Women Leaders for 2024 by the White Page International Conclave. Her groundbreaking achievements in scientific research and public health have garnered her this prestigious international accolade at such a young age.
The journey of Jameela Almasoud been marked significant challenges, including early scepticism from a prominent scientist who doubted her future potential. “You will not succeed for the rest of your life. This is just a fleeting period of time,” he told her.
Undeterred, Jameela resolved to prove him wrong, declaring, “Give me just one year, and I will be back with something that will shock you,” she said.
True to her word, she returned less than a year later with a published paper in the esteemed journal Microbiology Resource Announcements, a rare achievement for an undergraduate student before the age of 20.
Turning rejections into successes
Jameela’s resilience was further tested when she faced rejection from a prestigious lab before starting her PhD. The lab head dismissed her application due to her age and perceived inexperience, which initially threatened her confidence and ambitions.
However, within a month, she was offered PhD positions at two top universities worldwide, ultimately choosing to join University College London (UCL).
Reflecting on the experience, she quoted Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi: “The challenges we face are what shape us into who we are meant to be.”
Currently, Jameela serves as the University College Dublin (UCD) ambassador in the Middle East and was recently elected to the Global Youth Council in the UK, making significant strides in her field.
Her academic background is equally impressive, with three majors in Genetics, Cancer Biology, and Neuroscience. She also has additional credentials from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
