After a challenging competition, Jordan's Sadeem Qdaisat won the eighth season of Qatar Foundation's "Stars of Science," and was named the top innovator in the Arab world.
Qdaisat was announced as the winner when the edutainment reality TV program's finale aired on Saturday night. He beat out the other finalists in the combined public and jury vote to take home the $300,000 seed funding prize.
His winning innovation, GenomiQ, aims to eliminate human error and significantly cut down on the time needed to test genetic samples through an automated process. Qdaisat specifically sees his invention addressing the needs of cancer patients.
“This means we’re ready to help cancer patients; to ease their pain and to provide them with better results,” he said, according to a press release.
"I’m dedicating this win to all the lives that have been lost to cancer, and I promise to continue to fight for everyone still in treatment and with diagnoses."
With a medical degree from the University of Texas and as a PhD candidate, Qdaisat's research experience at several different hospital was the impetus for his invention. He noticed reoccurring problems in genetic testing labs due to time restraints and reliance on manual labor.
GenomiQ automates the process of genetic testing, aiming to eliminate human error and cross contamination. In addition, the automation process results in drastically lower costs, increased time efficiency, and improved outcomes while reducing false negative results.
Qdaisat's invention is impressive and his perseverance is as well. He previously applied to Stars of Science for the show's sixth season, however, he was denied a spot. But that didn't stop him from trying again. For him, quitting wasn't an option.
“In innovation, you have to look at the long-term outcome,” he said.
“It is not that you have failed – actually, you discovered a way that doesn’t work. Going forward, think of a new approach.”
Qdaisat wants other young people to be inspired by his win as well as by the other innovators on the show.
“You are the future of our region and our world. Have confidence in your abilities, don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled, believe in the power of education and seize any opportunity you have to make your dream a reality," he said.
Abderrahim Bourouis from Algeria was the second place finalist, with his invention of a Smart Autism Shirt.
The shirt is a low-cost solution that aims to detect, monitor and calm children with autism spectrum disorder, who suffer from extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Lebanon's Sevag Babikian came in third with his Efficient Desktop 3D Printer.
Launched in 2009, Stars of Science is dedicated to scientific innovation, aiming to shine a spotlight on the next generation of Arab innovators. The program is part of the Qatar Foundation's vision of unlocking human potential by creating an environment that facilitates learning and knowledge.