School Visits

In May 2024, we welcomed 40 students from Reach British School. The students embarked on a scientific journey through the Center's laboratories, engaging in hands-on activities under the guidance of our researchers. They dissected Drosophila, streaked soil bacteria onto agar plates, and explored the growth stages of the infamous red palm weevil. CGSB members who participated in this event included Khaled Ben El Kadhi, Asif Bakshi, Dhylva Paola De la Garza, Ligia Cota Vieira, Adilla Razali, Julie Connolley, and Suma Gopinadhan.

In May 2024, the CGSB partnered with Hemaya Schools, affiliated with the General Directorate of Dubai Police, to engage 300 female students in the "Genome Pioneers" journey. Researchers visited Hemaya Girls' School, where students from grades 6 to 8 participated in a variety of scientific exploration activities. CGSB members who participated in this event include Khaled Ben El Kadhi, Asif Bakshi, Dhylva Paola De la Garza, Ligia Cota Vieira, Zaynoun Attieh, Adilla Razali, Suma Gopinadhan, Yasmine Moussa, Alyaa Hessin, and Enas Qudeimat.

In April 2024, our researchers participated in a two-day visit to the KG2 classes at the American Community School. As part of the science curriculum topic "How do living things impact/interact with each other?", the team brought microscopes along with various insects, including Drosophila and weevils, for the students to observe. CGSB members who participated in this event include Khaled Ben El Kadhi, Asif Bakshi, Dhylva Paola De la Garza, Ligia Cota Vieira, Adilla Razali, and Valentin Fonvielle.

In October 2023, 20 students from Abu Dhabi International School visited the Center, where they embarked on a scientific journey through the CGSB's laboratories, engaging in interactive activities. The students explored the diverse applications of molecular biology techniques across various research fields and gained practical experience with electrophoresis. Additionally, they were introduced to the CGSB and its research areas. CGSB members who participated in this event include Zaynoun Attieh, Mehar Sultana and Enas Qudeimat.

In March 2023, researchers from Claude Desplan's group visited Ibn Sina School. The researchers provided 100 students from grade 1 to 12 with hands-on activities to learn about the brain and how it works using fruit flies and Weevils. CGSB members who participated in this event include Ligia Vieira, Asif Ahmad Bakshi and Adilla Razali.

In February 2023, researchers from Claude Desplan’s lab visited the kindergarten students at the American Community School (ACS). In this interactive visit, the students gained knowledge about the life cycle of flies and weevils, how to cultivate bacteria in Petri dishes, and how to operate a microscope. CGSB members who participated in this event include Khaled Ben El-Kadhi, Ligia Vieira, Paola de La Garza, and Adilla Razali. 

In January 2023, the CGSB hosted 30 students from Al Najah Private School. The researchers led the students on a scientific expedition through the Center's laboratories, where they engaged in various activities. These included dissecting Drosophila, streaking soil bacteria on agar plates, learning about the growth stages of the notorious red palm weevil, and exploring the circadian clock in our brains. The students also had the opportunity to study electrophoresis and other molecular biology methods. Additionally, they were introduced to the CGSB and its research areas. CGSB members who participated in this event include Rana El Danaf, Ligia Cota Vieira, Julie Connelly, Suma Gopinadhan, Tanvi Toprani, Mehar Sultana, Alyaa Hessin, and Enas Qudeimat.

In November 2022, eight students from the Applied Technology High School toured the CGSB. During their visit, they discovered the diverse applications of molecular biology techniques across various research fields and engaged in a practical electrophoresis session. The students were also introduced to the different research areas within the CGSB. CGSB members who participated in this event include Alyaa Hessin, Mehar Sultana, and Enas Qudeimat.

In October 2022, researchers from the CGSB hosted 60 students from various Abu Dhabi schools, leading them on an educational tour through the Center's laboratories. During their visit, the students engaged in activities such as Drosophila dissection, learned about the developmental stages of the notorious red palm weevil and the circadian clock in our brains, and practiced streaking soil bacteria on agar plates. The students also received a detailed introduction to the CGSB and its research focus areas. CGSB members who participated in this event include Dipesh Chaudhury, Priyam Narain, Ashutosh RastogiRana El Danaf, Ligia Cota Vieira, Julie Connelly, Dhinoth Kumar Bangarusamy, and Enas Qudeimat.

In February 2020, the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology Researchers participated in the Repton Foundation School STEAM week. They presented activities to students in the foundation years and introduced them to organisms used in research, such as the fruit fly and Algae. Researchers also showed them different bacteria found in the Arabian Gulf and raised their awareness about living sustainably and protecting the planet. CGSB Researchers who participated in Repton Foundation School STEAM week were Alexandra Mystikou, Rana El Danaf, David Nelson, Stephan Kremb, and Julie Connelly.

In 2016, Basel Khraiwesh, Senior Research Scientist, spoke at The German International School Career Day about his career path as a research scientist and his passion for molecular biology.

In 2016 the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology hosted high school students from Al Nahda High School. The A- and AS-level biology students had the opportunity to work at the CGSB fly room under the supervision of Justin Blau. Students were able to set up a circadian behavioral experiment and analyze their data. They also participated in an Experimental Research Building tour and were enthused about science and NYUAD.