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Alfaisal University Researcher Speaks at KACST Natural Resources & Environmental Research Institute on Renal Function in Normal Pregnancy

Dr. Ali Khraibi, a Professor of Physiology in the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University, spoke to a packed room at the KACST Natural Resources & Environmental Research Institute (NRERI) about “Renal Function in Normal Pregnancy”, on Tuesday 29 December 2009, as part of the KACST-NRERI/Alfaisal University Seminar Series. There were numerous questions from the audience which consisted of NRERI staff, Alfaisal faculty members and students. One of the attendees, Dr. Paul Ganguly, a Professor in the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University, said that “this type of research is very important for enhancing our understanding of the physiological changes that occur in the body during pregnancy and will thus help to improve maternal as well as fetal results.”

As an expert in the field of Physiology, Dr. Khraibi has also recently been awarded a Science & Technology Research Grant as part of a national competition (NCPSC) administered by KACST. The research projects awards competition is held twice a year and addresses areas of strategic interest to the Kingdom. In his project, Dr. Ali Khraibi (PI), and his co-investigators Dr. Wesam Kurdi (KFSHRC), and Dr. Bernhard Juurlink (College of Medicine, Alfaisal University), will characterize the renal and cardiovascular (i.e. blood pressure, heart rate) adaptations to pregnancy in Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. The renal and cardiovascular characterization of hypertensive pregnancy which appears to be uncomplicated despite the spontaneous and severe hypertension in the SHR, may allow the simulation of these renal and cardiovascular adaptations in complicated pregnancies, such as diabetic pregnancy, in order to improve both maternal and fetal outcome.

Dr. Khraibi obtained his PhD in 1984 from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi. His area of specialization was in Physiology and Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Khraibi also holds masters and bachelors degrees in Civil Engineering. Prior to joining Alfaisal University, he was a Professor at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk Virginia USA from 2002 to 2008. Dr. Khraibi also worked at the world renowned Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester Minnesota from 1987 to 1996.