Dr Majdoleen Hussein
Role: Postgraduate student in Surgical innovation MSc
Department: Department of cancer and surgery, the faculty of Medicine
Nationality: Palestinian
I am a Palestinian doctor who came to the UK seeking further training in surgery. I did a master’s degree in surgical innovation at Imperial College London, before that I studied medicine in Palestine and worked there for two years. In Palestine, not all medical specialities are available. Many patients lose their lives as the needed expertise in surgery are not available, particularly in the field of vascular surgery and organ transplant. This was the main reason why I wanted to seek training in the UK.
Education
GCSE and A-level (or equivalent): Tawjihi exam, Palestine
Degrees:
• MBBS in Medicine, Al Quds University, Palestine
• Msc Surgical Innovation, Imperial College London
Details about Hussein
My research
There are many wasted human organs currently that can give a new life and hope to lots of patients. They are discarded because they are not in the best shape to be transplanted, therefore, once we master modifying them with stem cells or genetic modifications to become better, we will open the door to using many new organs. In turn, this will make the shortage of organs a more manageable issue. It will save the lives of many patients on the waiting lists for transplants.
My inspiration
In general, I am interested in organ transplant because it is a field which is almost nonexistent in my home country. Many patients in my country are losing their lives because they can’t get the organs they need for transplant in time. This is why I wanted to understand this field better. When I investigated further, I found the medical profession is trying to solve the world's organ shortage. This lead me to research how to solve this shortage by modifying the suboptimal organs to optimal organs so they can be transplanted.
Who is your STEM hero?
I don’t have one hero, my heroes are all women in STEM. We are living in a world where women can now easily have STEM careers, but there was a time when it was difficult and uncommon for women to do so. I can only imagine how much bravery and strength it took all those early pioneering women to still go on, do it and participate in making this world a better place for all of us.
Most significant discovery/invention?
Electricity. Being in the UK, we are enjoying this blessing without even thinking about it. Coming from a country where electricity is not always there, you understand why it is the most important invention ever. You don’t agree? Just imagine your whole day without any electricity.
Career options after study
Becoming an academic surgeon - my aim in doing this degree and all my previous work is to become a surgeon. I want to be a surgeon who deeply understands their field but also can research and improve on patients’ needs. I also love teaching others and sharing the knowledge I learnt through my studies so I think a career in teaching as an academic surgeon seems brilliant. I can enjoy two things I appreciate the most: being with patients in theatres and being with others sharing science.
My hobbies
I love crafts, planting, table tennis, badminton, I love cooking for others and recently I found archery very interesting and I think will become the new big thing in my free time.