Syrian researcher Dima Suleiman from Al-Baath University wins a L’Oréal-UNESCO scholarship 2020

Dr. Abdul Basit Al-Khatib, President of Al-Baath University, stressed the importance of Dr. Dima Suleiman winning among six distinguished women in the field of sciences from the Arab Mashreq countries, to be the only Syrian researcher at the level of the Arab Mashreq. Pointing to the great support for Syrian researchers and honoring them for their achievements that we are proud of and appreciate their efforts and scientific credibility and consider them the cornerstone of development and scientific progress to raise the level of universities in addition to developing the scientific research system in line with the vision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, noting that the university provides full support for scientific research and researchers The Syrians who have proven their ability to achieve achievements despite the war conditions that our beloved country, Syria, has suffered. Referring to the excellence of Syrian researchers in various aspects of life despite all the circumstances and temptations presented by the West, and their insistence on returning to their homeland and serving their country through the sciences they obtained abroad.

Dr. Rushdi Medawar, Dean of the College of Science, pointed out the importance of research in protecting the environment from toxic elements, especially heavy metals that harm living organisms by recycling them, noting that Al-Baath University will provide the necessary equipment to conduct laboratory analyzes for research in the laboratories of the College of Science.

The researcher indicated that her passion for protecting the environment and living things from the danger caused by environmental pollution imposed by various human activities began since childhood, and with the passage of time she began to think of finding appropriate solutions to obtain a clean environment.

The researcher confirmed that the main objective of the research is to study the impact of metal pollution on organisms and to understand the mechanism of resistance and the collection of minerals that some living organisms follow, perhaps it would be a good solution in ridding the environment of these dangerous pollutants that affect us humans in the first place. Where the problem of metal pollution is growing day by day all over the world, especially with the increasing use of weapons and ammunition and the release of products of military activities into the environment, This is the case in Syria, where the war that has erupted since 2011, has led to significant changes in the main elements of the environment (water, air, soil) and contributed to the introduction of many pollutants, including metals, especially metals that living organisms do not need such as cadmium and lead And mercury …., and this is the latest modifications in natural habitats in one way or another, which may generate genetic, morphological and behavioral differences between the natural groups of the same species, and despite the danger of this type of pollution, some living species tolerate the presence of minerals in their environment and are Able to survive, grow and reproduce in both polluted and unpolluted environments, And some other species can accumulate minerals in their living tissues. Thus, it is interesting and useful to understand the mechanism by which these organisms are able to resist metal contamination in addition to describing the changes that may affect the genetic and morphological diversity associated with this resistance in groups of some plant and animal species (ringworms, for example). Especially since these species with these qualities are very important in cleaning the environment from metal contamination through a process called bioremediation.

It is noteworthy that the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” – Arab Regional Levant Program for Emerging Women Researchers aims to enhance the participation of young women in science from Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. This program selects and rewards outstanding young women scientists in the field of life sciences (such as biology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, physiology, neurosciences, biotechnologies, ecology, behavioral sciences), In addition to the physical sciences (such as physics, chemistry, petroleum engineering, mathematics, engineering sciences, information sciences, earth and universe sciences), The program annually honors six distinguished young Arab women researchers for the quality of their research work and encourages them to pursue a valuable career in science in the Levant countries.

The honoring was attended by Dr. Adnan Sheikh Hammoud, a member of the leadership of the party branch at the university, and Dr. Refaat Wahbi, a member of the teachers’ union at the university.