WSVRD-2024

Abrar Alasmari is a public health doctor and infectious disease epidemiologist currently serving at the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. She is also a visiting researcher at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where her work focuses on vaccination, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the use of innovative approaches and cutting-edge technology in research. Abrar also holds a role as a member of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) ethics committee. In her academic endeavors, Abrar supervises PhD and DrPH students and serves as an MSc Distance Learning Tutor at LSHTM, where she imparts her extensive knowledge and expertise to the next generation of public health professionals. Since 2021, she has been a research fellow at the Vaccine Confidence Project, where her efforts are dedicated to building trust and confidence in vaccination among healthcare professionals and the general population. Abrar's educational background includes earning her medical degree from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, followed by a Master’s degree in Health Policy from City, University of London, and a PhD from LSHTM. Prior to pursuing her MSc, Abrar gained valuable experience working as a medical doctor in Saudi Arabia and Romania. Her primary interests lie in vaccinology, infectious diseases, and climate change, with a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Abrar specialises in utilising artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques in clinical and epidemiological research, contributing to the advancement of these fields through innovative approaches and cutting-edge technology. She is particularly interested in mass gatherings, such as Hajj and Umrah, and the challenges of managing vaccinations in these settings.