Ahmed Samir Alfaar: Bridging the Islands of Science

Ahmed Samir Alfaar (a.k.a. Ahmad Samir) is a visionary scientist devoted to uniting seemingly isolated disciplines through collaboration, innovation, and education. With a passion for building bridges across the fragmented landscapes of modern science, Ahmed empowers researchers from diverse fields to connect, communicate, and collaborate.

Born in Damietta, Egypt, in 1982, Ahmed’s journey began in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, where he spent his early years. His formative education continued in Damietta, where his innate curiosity and love for biology, mathematics, computers, and medicine flourished. In 1999, Ahmed moved to Cairo to pursue a medical degree at Cairo University’s renowned Kasr Al-Ainy Medical School.

A Trailblazer in Digital Innovation

Just two years into his medical studies, Ahmed proposed and developed the first website for Kasr Al-Ainy, laying the foundation for its Web Development Unit. From 2001 to 2009, he served as the website manager while excelling as a medical student, intern, and resident. During this period, he established a dynamic team of medical students in 2003, pioneering eLearning initiatives, including immersive virtual reality programs, which gained prominence by 2008. Ahmed’s contributions to the establishment of the Learning Resource Center (LRC) at Kasr Al-Ainy between 2005 and 2008 reflect his commitment to fostering accessible medical education.

A Multifaceted Career in Medicine and Informatics

Ahmed trained as an ophthalmologist at Kasr Al-Ainy’s Ophthalmology Department, complementing his clinical expertise with a passion for research. In 2008, he co-founded the Research Department at the Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357 in Egypt, focusing on pediatric ocular and renal tumors. By 2009, Ahmed and his colleagues launched Moriat, a pioneering company dedicated to advancing medical eLearning solutions and supporting the digital transformation of medical institutions across Egypt and the Arab world.

In parallel with his professional endeavors, Ahmed pursued an interdisciplinary academic journey. He completed studies in Medical and Biomedical Informatics at Helwan University, a Master’s in Ophthalmology at Cairo University, and a Certificate in Clinical Research at Harvard University. His vision for bridging sciences extended to his work at the Children’s Cancer Hospital, where he designed research education programs to inspire the next generation of medical professionals.

Global Pursuits in Research and Education

In 2014, Ahmed relocated to Germany finishing a Master of Science in Advanced Oncology with a thesis focusing on Computational Biology at Ulm University, supported by prestigious scholarships from Misr Elkhir Foundation, the European Association of Cancer Research, the Ruth-und-Adolf-Merckle Foundation, and the DAAD. His academic excellence earned extended DAAD support for his doctoral studies at Charité Medical University Berlin, where he refined his expertise in computational biology and ocular oncology.

Ahmed completed his first doctorate (Dr. med.) in 2018, focusing on ocular oncology, and embarked on a Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2017 to explore calcium ion channels in genetic eye diseases. By 2018, he had authored 24 full-text publications and delivered over 35 conference presentations, solidifying his reputation as a prolific researcher.

A Visionary Leader

Ahmed believes in empowering others to realize their potential and achieve their dreams. Whether through his groundbreaking work in ocular oncology, his contributions to medical eLearning, or his commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, Ahmed remains steadfast in his mission: to build bridges that connect science, technology, and humanity.