Nourah is passionate about research and teaching and recently joined the group as a PhD student. She has a background in anaesthesia and completed her MSc in Critical Care at the University of Glasgow.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I graduated in 2018 in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care from the School of Applied Medical Science in Saudi Arabia. In fact, my journey into research and academia began during my undergraduate studies, where I published my first paper on the prenatal factors that influence the risk of autism spectrum disorders.
Following graduation, I completed a one-year internship as an anaesthesia specialist, gaining hands-on experience in clinical practice. Four years ago, I started working as a demonstrator, delivering theoretical lectures and practical labs to undergraduate students. During that time, I also worked as a clinical training coordinator, organising training for over two hundred students in several hospitals, primarily training them in operating rooms and remote areas.
In 2022 I decided to move to the UK to pursue my MSc in Critical Care at University of Glasgow, during which I completed six different modules and a dissertation that evaluated the impact of sedation interruption on mechanical ventilation duration in critically ill patients, graduating in December 2023.
What will you be investigating while you are in Aberdeen?
My PhD project involves a mixed method study focused on personalising the perioperative care pathway, where I will identify patients who deviate from the existing pathways by an observational study. I believe the study has great significance as it aims to generate new insights into the perioperative care pathways for adult patients. These insights will highlight the main barriers and challenges in implementing the pathways and play a vital role in designing a new perioperative pathway for patients who do not benefit from the current pathways.
Why did you choose Aberdeen?
I chose Aberdeen because of my positive previous experience living in Scotland during my masters. The welcoming culture and friendly people made it feel like home!
I was also inspired by a lecture on pain and opioids given by my supervisor Prof. Patrice Forget during a conference I attended in Glasgow; this raised my awareness that the University of Aberdeen has exceptional faculty members who are experts in their relevant fields of medical research. I believe that joining the Epidemiology Group in particular is a huge opportunity as I am surrounded by a diverse range expertise and perspectives.
Are you involved in any other research?
Currently, I am not participating in any other research projects. However, I am open to be part of new opportunities in the field and look forward to working with the wider Epidemiology team.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy walking, watching sunsets, exploring coffee spots, learning about different cultures, spending time with family and friends, being around kids and making different food recipes.