Professor Fahd Al-Mulla

Professor Fahd Al-Mulla

Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)

Dasman Diabetes Institute

Professor Fahd Al-Mulla is the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) and heads the department of Translational Research. He has made profound contributions in the fields of diabetes research and genomic medicine. With an impressive portfolio of 10 patents and over 345 publications in esteemed journals such as Cell, Nature Genetics, Science, and Nature, he stands among the top 2% of the most cited scientists worldwide (h-index:61, i10-index:215).

Prof. Al-Mulla’s pioneering work in cancer metastasis has been foundational, revealing critical insights into genetic heterogeneity within and between primary tumors and their metastases. He identified and characterized key metastasis suppressor genes, including Carbonyl Reductase and Raf Kinase Inhibitory Protein, substantially advancing our understanding of cancer biology.

Transitioning his focus to metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, and diabetes, Prof. Al-Mulla aims to tackle the pressing issue of central obesity in Kuwait, which affects approximately 74% of the population, as per the Ministry of Health. His groundbreaking studies have elucidated the polygenic and heterogeneous nature of metabolic disorders, identifying genetic predispositions within our population. He has been instrumental in developing CODeR, a comprehensive diabetes registry system at DDI, which monitors diabetes in children and adolescents across Kuwait.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. Al-Mulla demonstrated exceptional leadership by sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 virus for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region, contributing to 51 high-impact manuscripts that have significantly informed the global scientific community.

Prof. Fahd Al-Mulla’s work in diabetes-related wound healing has identified critical signaling pathways, enhancing our understanding and treatment of this challenging condition. His integration of multi-omics approaches (genomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and pharmacogenomics) has been pivotal in advancing personalized medicine, particularly through his web-based application, PharmaKU, which enhances the therapeutic utility of pharmacogenomics. His interest in translational research and precision medicine is reflected in his commitment to bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications at DDI. He aims to translate scientific findings into real-world health solutions, improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare.

A distinguished alumnus of Glasgow University, holding both a Medical Doctorate and a Ph.D., Prof. Al-Mulla is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. His contributions extend beyond research; he actively mentors emerging scientists and engages with the public to promote scientific awareness. Prof. Al-Mulla also chairs the Evidence Group in the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative (G2MC) and has served as chair of the Human Variome Project’s Advisory Council. His involvement in prominent research consortia, including ClinGen, Genomic Medicine Alliance, Genome Arabia, and the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium, underscores his international stature.