Hosam Zowawi is a clinical microbiologist specialising in antibiotic-resistant
bacterial diseases — so-called “superbugs”. He is part-way through his PhD
studies at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research in
Brisbane, analysing bacteria sourced from the GCC to identify the predominate
genotype spread in GCC hospitals, and promote the importance of ongoing
surveillance of multidrug-resistant organisms across the Gulf.
Although he now lives in Australia, the 31-year-old was born
in Saudi Arabia, and his PhD is funded by several Gulf organisations including
Kuwait University, the King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Science
and Oman’s Royal Hospital.
As part of his studies, Zowawi developed a fast diagnostic
tool called “Rapid Superbug” that identifies an infection more quickly.
In 2014 he won the Young Laureate, Science & Health
award in the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, and told Arabian Business last year
his main motivation for pursuing his line of research is “the sense of
responsibility” he feels to prevent humans from future infections caused by
antibiotic-resistant bacteria. “On a daily basis, I am witnessing pathogens
with frightening survival capability. Preventing those odds to spread in our
communities is a real responsibility I have to carry.”
He describes himself on his Twitter profile as “a superbug
fighter and polo player”, and adds that he is “the son of noble parents,
husband of the most supportive and intelligent queen, and father of a clever
princess”.
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