By: Muscat Daily
Muscat – Abdullah al Lawati, a medical student at Sultan Qaboos University, was awarded for the best poster at the 9th Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) Congress held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from November 8 to 10.
Lawati’s winning research on surgical and radiological anatomy was presented to a distinguished panel that included Nobel laureates.
Lawati has an impressive list of accolades besides his recent achievement. He won for best poster also at a conference in Alberta, Canada in June 2024 and secured first place at the 72nd International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations General Assembly in India in August 2023. With 20 published research papers, he continues to build a strong academic and research portfolio.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Lawati informed that the USERN Congress had approximately 60 posters and 200 participants from around the world, including countries like Iran, Italy, the UK and Poland. He received his award from USERN President Prof Tommaso Dorigo of Italy and USERN Founder Prof Nima Rezai of Iran, both recognised among the top 2% scientists globally.
His poster explored the prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes among Omani individuals. This condition, typically asymptomatic, can cause vascular and neurological symptoms when the pathological ribs compress key structures, leading to issues like arm weakness, numbness and pain.
Reflecting on the global experience, Lawati said the award signifies more than individual recognition; it represents a collective commitment to advancing medical knowledge and patient care. He highlighted the benefits of such conferences, which facilitate research exchange and discussions with leading experts.
Expressing gratitude for Sultan Qaboos University’s support, Lawati encouraged Omani youth to pursue excellence, take the first steps towards their goals and seek mentorship along the way. He emphasised the fact that Omani youth are the nation’s future and urged them to strive high and bring pride to the sultanate.
Founded in 2016, USERN aims to bridge scientific gaps and promote global collaboration. With 26,000 members, including Nobel and Abel laureates, USERN has published over 3,000 research papers.
Lawati serves as Oman’s ambassador to USERN, one among 62 ambassadors from various countries.