Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has achieved a major international recognition after being formally designated as a ZEISS labs@location Reference Customer through its Advanced Imaging Core. The designation places the Doha-based healthcare and research institution within a select global network of leading hospitals, academic medical centers, and scientific core facilities recognized for excellence in advanced microscopy and biomedical imaging.

The recognition marks an important milestone for Qatar’s growing research and innovation landscape, reinforcing Sidra Medicine’s role as a regional hub for precision medicine, translational research, and advanced clinical innovation.

The ZEISS labs@location Program was created to deepen collaboration between ZEISS and leading laboratories around the world. It supports the development of advanced imaging applications, scientific training, expert demonstrations, knowledge exchange, and the use of next-generation microscopy technologies in research and clinical environments.

For Sidra Medicine, the designation reflects the strength of its Advanced Imaging Core, which has built a strong reputation for supporting complex imaging applications, high-quality scientific research, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Abbirami Sathappan, Lead of the Advanced Imaging Core at Sidra Medicine, said the recognition reflected the expertise and infrastructure developed within the facility.

“Being recognized as a ZEISS labs@location Reference Customer reflects the strength of the expertise, infrastructure, and collaborative environment we have built within the Advanced Imaging Core,” she said. “The designation strengthens our ability to support researchers and clinicians with advanced imaging workflows that accelerate discovery and contribute to clinically relevant research.”

The designation followed a detailed evaluation of Sidra Medicine’s Advanced Imaging Core, which demonstrated advanced imaging capabilities, strong operational standards, technical expertise, and the ability to provide high-level training and knowledge transfer. The center was also recognized for supporting publication-grade research, complex imaging workflows, and collaborative scientific initiatives.

This achievement places Sidra Medicine alongside globally recognized leaders in imaging science and biomedical research. More importantly, it highlights Qatar’s growing investment in world-class research infrastructure and its ambition to build strong local capabilities in healthcare innovation.

Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, said the recognition aligned with Sidra Medicine’s long-term commitment to investing in advanced research platforms with direct relevance to patient care.

“We are very proud today of this exceptional recognition of our Advanced Imaging Core,” he said. “At Sidra Medicine, our philosophy has always been to invest in developing state-of-the-art core research platforms, led by visionary staff building testing capabilities with direct relevance for patient care.”

He added that the ZEISS designation supported Sidra Medicine’s mission to improve the understanding of rare and complex diseases, strengthen diagnostics, and help deliver more precise treatments for patients.

The recognition also strengthens Sidra Medicine’s position in international research partnerships. According to Dr. Sara Tomei, Director of Integrated Genomic Services at Sidra Medicine, the designation enhances the institution’s competitiveness for peer-reviewed grants and global collaborations by demonstrating advanced technology leadership, scientific capability, and training excellence.

She added that the recognition would also support the development of local expertise through structured training opportunities for clinicians, fellows, researchers, and technologists.

For Qatar’s healthcare and research sector, the announcement carries broader significance. As the country continues to invest in precision medicine, genomics, advanced diagnostics, and translational research, institutions such as Sidra Medicine are playing a central role in connecting scientific discovery with clinical impact.

The ZEISS labs@location designation further supports Sidra Medicine’s mission to integrate advanced technologies into research and clinical innovation, improving outcomes for patients and families in Qatar and beyond.

By joining this elite international network, Sidra Medicine has reinforced its position as one of the region’s leading centers for biomedical research, advanced imaging, and precision medicine — while strengthening Qatar’s place on the global map of healthcare innovation.