Alexander Woodman is a professor of clinical preventive medicine and public health who has been widely recognized for his research work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. His primary research focuses on advancing global reproductive health, medical education, clinical research methodologies, and health diplomacy.
Alexander Woodman | |
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Alma mater | Harvard University University of Salford University of Southern California, USC Cal State Fullerton Cal State Los Angeles University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA |
Awards | Fulbright Research Fellow DHS Biosecurity Research Fellow UCLA Chancellor Award California Predoctoral Fellow Wasserman Fellow |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Preventive medicine Clinical research Public health practice Reproductive health Medical education Health diplomacy |
Doctoral advisor | Dr. Margaret Coffey Dr. Anna Mary Cooper-Ryan |
Other academic advisors | Dr. Aaron Hagedorn Dr. Walter Zelman |
Education
editAn alumnus of Los Angeles High School, Woodman commenced his academic journey at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California earning an Associate of Science degree with honors. His education continued at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was awarded both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degrees, graduating cum laude. He received the Chancellor Gene Block's award, ranking in the top three percent of UCLA's 2011 graduating class.[1][2] His role in the UCLA Honors program was pivotal, documenting the harrowing narratives of Holocaust and Genocide survivors – a testament to his societal engagement. He interviewed survivors who shared their personal stories of survival with the Plato Society of UCLA and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. While at UCLA, Alexander volunteered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and gained a better understanding of community service and civil participation. As part of his undergraduate research award and community service, Woodman received the highly competitive Wasserman Fellowship.
Woodman's academic journey proceeded at the University of Southern California (USC), where his scholarly contributions were marked by a Master of Science degree with distinction and a role as a research assistant.[3][4][5] His scholarly pursuits led him to California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), where he was awarded a California Predoctoral fellowship and earned a Master of Public Health degree.[6] Woodman earned his doctoral degree from the University of Salford in Manchester, United Kingdom.[7] This achievement was further enhanced by his postdoctoral research conducted at both Harvard Medical School[8][9] and Yale University. Later, Woodman was invited as a summer faculty at Yale University.[10][11]
His contributions and expertise in preventive medicine and clinical research[12] earned him the Fulbright Research Fellowship. This distinguished fellowship supported his research at the School of Medicine at Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain.
Career
editWoodman started his professional career at UCLA, Cal State LA, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health, serving as a research associate. Under the tutelage of Dr. Walter Zelman, Chair of the Public Health Department, and Dr. Howard Xu of the Department of Biological Sciences, at California State University, Los Angeles, Woodman honed his expertise in developing advanced techniques for the rapid detection of bacterial pathogens. Woodman embarked on a mission to Southeast Asia, aiming to dissect and address the multifaceted barriers to infectious disease testing. In collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, his research at Chiang Mai University Medical Center[13] and the Chiang Mai Provincial Health Office was instrumental in assessing the healthcare needs of the Burmese/Myanmar refugees and illegal migrants in Thailand's Saraphi district, Chiang Mai province.
Transitioning from his foundational research and academic achievements in the United States, Woodman was invited to expand his professional horizons in the Middle East. At a prominent university in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, he delved into clinical research and medical education. His collaborative initiatives with Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and Sadara petrochemical companies were pivotal in enhancing preventative healthcare in the workplace.[14]
Saudi Ministry of Defense medical division
editWoodman was recruited as the Head of the Scientific Research Department at the King Fahad Military Medical Complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Under his leadership, the research team garnered grants and accolades from institutions including the Al Jawhara Medical Centre for Molecular Medicine and Inherited Diseases, the King Fahad Specialist Hospital, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and Harvard University. Furthermore, Woodman's expertise was instrumental in his role as an investigative health researcher for the Medical Services Division of the Armed Forces Hospitals under the Saudi Ministry of Defense.
Preventive medicine and clinical research
editWoodman has contributed to both preventive medicine and clinical research through his collaborations with international institutions and researchers. His work focuses on the genetic, behavioral, and attitudinal determinants that influence the health and well-being of diverse populations. His contribution to clinical research includes genetic analysis of the TMPRSS6 gene in women with iron deficiency anemia; determining antigen levels in plasma and the genotypes of PAI-2 in pregnancy associated with homozygous sickle cell anemia; investigating genetic variants in the leptin gene linked to obesity; studying the effects of post-diagnosis exercise on depression symptoms, physical functioning, and mortality in breast cancer survivors; and addressing bioethical challenges in modern medicine. In the realm of preventive medicine, Woodman developed an award-winning project for the "Healthcare Transformation and Research" entitled "Keep Me Well" Health Model. This project was designed to transform the workplace into an area for self-care and well-being. It aimed to educate, motivate, and empower employers and employees of Saudi companies to implement comprehensive programs that allow employees to exercise, adopt specific nutrition and weight management habits, improve mental health, and receive an extensive medical education.
Research
editWoodman's research extends across global reproductive health, medical education, clinical practice, and health diplomacy. In a pioneering doctoral thesis, he was the first to scrutinize the interplay between nutritional behaviors, attitudes, and the knowledge of the Food Dome dietary guidelines among students in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.[15][16] This research unveiled insights that challenged existing paradigms, prompting Woodman to further his postdoctoral inquiries at Harvard Medical School. There, he delved into the correlation between the leptin gene mutations and various health indicators in obese individuals in Saudi Arabia, thereby laying the groundwork for subsequent research across the Gulf states.
His collaborations with the president of the Arab Board for Family and Community Medicine Zohair Sebai[17][18] and Islamic bioethicist Mohammed Ali Albar, who later mentored him, have been instrumental. Woodman emerged as a researcher to systematically dissect and articulate ethical considerations in Saudi bioethics.[19]
Publications
editWoodman has authored several book chapters, delving into communicable and non-communicable diseases across various Middle Eastern study contexts.[20][21][22][23] His scholarly reach extends to bioethics, addressing critical issues such as end-of-life care, and the ethics of organ donation and transplantation. In public health and clinical research, Woodman's contributions have been published by publishing houses, including Cambridge University Press, Elsevier, Oxford University Press, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, and Wiley.[24]
In addition to his contributions as an author, Woodman has served as an editorial board member for journals such as the Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the Saudi Critical Care Journal. His commitment to fostering academic excellence was evident during his tenure at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he served on the editorial board of Aleph, the university's premier journal dedicated to undergraduate research.
Book
editIn his book, The Land of 'Adat, published in 2020, Woodman offers an insightful exploration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, weaving a narrative that captures the essence of its rich history and enduring traditions through a modern lens.[25] This journey is not only a visual feast, illustrating the vibrant daily life in bustling marketplaces, homes ranging from the modest to the palatial, and the dynamic streets of its cities, but it also delves into the architectural splendor and the historical and religious enigmas of the land.[26][27] A highlight of Woodman's exploration includes the rock at Rephidim in the Jabal Al-Lawz mountain range, a site of profound biblical significance tied to Moses and the miraculous events described in Exodus 17:6. Central to Woodman's narrative is the intricate tapestry of Saudi identity. He navigates the depths of the Saudi spirit and manners, portraying a people whose lives are profoundly shaped by reverence and respect for divine providence, familial bonds, and deeply ingrained moral values.[28] The Land of 'Adat not only showcases the physical beauty of Saudi Arabia but also eloquently articulates the profound cultural ethos and traditions that are the bedrock of the nation. The Land of 'Adat has earned its place in the collections of the British Library and Harvard University's Hollis Library.[29][30]
Public appearances
editWoodman was invited by media outlets in the Gulf – including Middle East Health, Forbes Middle East, Diplomatic Quarter Publication,[31][32] Arab News, Leaders, and Foreign Policy News, DC – to initiate a series of thought-provoking discussions. Engaging with heads of states, titular leaders, politicians and diplomats, he analyzed healthcare strategies as a means to enhance the global quality of life.[33][34] In 2020, Woodman was invited to cover G20 Riyadh summit and Global Health conferences.[35][36]
His discussions featured interactions with Polish President Lech Wałęsa (1990–1995), Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Prof. Leszek Balcerowicz (1989–1991, 1997–2001), senior British Diplomat Sir Michael Arthur KCMG, formerly her late Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis CMG, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's advisor Luca Ferrari, Pakistani Senator Rehman Malik.[37][38][39][40] Published interviews by Woodman also feature discussions with the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, General Raheel Sharif, the father of former Ambassador of the United States, Arturo Sarukhan, renowned biologist Jose Sarukhan Kermez in Mexico City, French Judge Elisabeth Baccara and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan.
He had an interview with the third oil minister of Saudi Arabia and Saudi Ambassador to Egypt from 2005 to 2011 Hisham Nazer's son chairperson of Bupa Arabia Loay Hisham Nazer;[41] Saudi Minister of Finance (1960–1961) HRH Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's[42] youngest son HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Talal, Muhamed Hamdi Jusufspahic the president of the supreme council of the Islamic community of Serbia, and deputy of Grand Mufti of the Islamic Community of Serbia, former President of the Republic of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov, Afghan presidential candidate Syed Jalal Karim, and Greek regional governor and President of the Athens Medical Association, George Patoulis.[43]
In his discussions, apart from studying the history and development of diplomacy, Woodman explored health from a new perspective: health diplomacy.[44][45] At this time, his discussions were with leading diplomats and ambassadors serving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He explores diplomacy aimed at protecting the health and well-being of populations beyond national borders.[46][47][48][49] Woodman outlined the history and precise development of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy, public diplomacy with foreign countries, dialogue-based diplomacy, changing perspectives, and how science and health have become the main pillars of modern diplomacy.[50][51][52][53]
Woodman has also been invited to advise leading international diplomats and heads of mission on health projects and initiatives, members of royal family in the Gulf, as well as major philanthropy organizations.[54][55] He has consistently intertwined his research with the history of medicine, such as the Holocaust, genocides and other human atrocities. His notable interviews include discussions with Agnieszka Holland[56] the former Presidentof the European Film Academy, Sharon Zaga and Mily Cohen of the Museo Memoria y Tolerancia in Mexico[57] and Leslaw Piszewski,[58] a prominent figure in Warsaw's Jewish community.
Awards and recognition
edit- Harvard Medical School Research Commendation Award
- UCLA College & Departmental Honors Award
- UCLA Recognition Award for Editorial Work
- UCLA Recognition of High Achievements and Outstanding Promise
- University of Southern California Graduate Award
- California State University & UCLA Leadership Academy Award
- California State University Graduate Equity Award
- The U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award
- Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital Recognition for Research
- Saudi Aramco Recognition for Research
- His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Recognition for Research
- King Fahad Specialist Hospital Award for Research Work as part of Vision 2030
- Arabian Gulf University for Research in Mapping the Obesity in the Gulf
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology for Research "Guidelines on Risk Assessment for Health Care Professionals at King Fahad Military Medical Complex"
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Novo Genomics for "Genetic Sequencing of Premature Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in Saudi Arabia"
References
edit- ^ "Alexander Woodman '11 Passionate Educator and Advocate for Clinical Research Benefitting Global Health".
- ^ "UCLA Global Alexander Woodman".
- ^ "USC Leonard Davis Commencement 2015: Alexander Woodman". 12 May 2015.
- ^ "USC Leonard Davis MSG Student, Alexander Woodman, receives Academic Support Peer Achievement Award". 17 April 2014.
- ^ Newcomb, Beth (2024-04-29). "Master of Science in Gerontology Readies Student for Career in Global Public Health and Research". USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
- ^ "News Release Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars Cal State L.A."
- ^ "Salford PhD candidate explores food habits amongst Saudi youths as part of public health research".
- ^ "Salford graduate to continue 'first-of-its-kind' research at Harvard Medical School".
- ^ "Building Clinical Research Skills to Advance Health in Saudi Arabia - Alexander Woodman, Global Clinical Scholars Research Training, Training to Teach in Medicine". 15 September 2023.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander; Waheed, Khawaja Bilal; Rasheed, Mohammad; Ahmad, Shakil (2022-08-13). "Current state of ethical challenges reported in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review & bibliometric analysis from 2010 to 2021". BMC Medical Ethics. 23 (1): 82. doi:10.1186/s12910-022-00816-6. ISSN 1472-6939. PMC 9375198. PMID 35964019.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (May 2024). "Intersex people or khunthā in the Middle East – How they are perceived, accepted, & treated: qualitative evidence synthesis & framework analysis". Psychology & Sexuality: 1–15. doi:10.1080/19419899.2024.2347963. ISSN 1941-9899.
- ^ "Riyadh Daily". alriyadhdaily.com. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
- ^ https://www.med.cmu.ac.th/en/
- ^ Woodman, Alexander; Jaoua, Nizar; Al Zahrani, Eidan M.; Alfahad, Othman A.; Quiambao, Jenifer V.; Withers, Mellissa (1 June 2023). "Factors of Overweight and Obesity Among Employees of Petrochemical Manufacturing Companies". Journal of Community Health. 48 (3): 381–389. doi:10.1007/s10900-022-01177-2. PMID 36508062.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (30 June 2023). "An Investigative Study on University Students' Knowledge and Attitudes towards the Food Dome in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".
- ^ Woodman, Alexander; Coffey, Margaret; Cooper-Ryan, Anna-Mary; Jaoua, Nizar (2024-08-21). "The relationship between lifestyle habits and obesity among students in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia: using the Arab Teens Lifestyle (ATLS) questionnaire". BMC Public Health. 24 (1): 2267. doi:10.1186/s12889-024-19353-5. ISSN 1471-2458. PMC 11337773. PMID 39169283.
- ^ "Dr. Zohair Sebai and Alexander Woodman are discussing the history and current development of Saudi population health status".
- ^ "A holistic approach to health is what we should adopt in practicing medicine".
- ^ Woodman, Alexander; Waheed, Khawaja Bilal; Rasheed, Mohammad; Ahmad, Shakil (13 August 2022). "Current state of ethical challenges reported in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review & bibliometric analysis from 2010 to 2021". BMC Medical Ethics. 23 (1): 82. doi:10.1186/s12910-022-00816-6. PMC 9375198. PMID 35964019.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2023). "Challenges Associated with End-of-Life Care in Saudi Arabia". Palliative Care - Current Practice and Future Perspectives. Palliative Care - Current Practice and Future Perspectives. doi:10.5772/intechopen.110283. ISBN 978-0-85466-050-6.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (8 December 2022). Advances in Health and Disease, "Chapter 6. The Prevalence of Overweightness and Obesity among Adolescents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" "Chapter 7. Prevalence and Key Determinants of Overweightness and Obesity among Bahraini Adolescents". Nova Science Publishers, Inc. ISBN 979-8-88697-443-0.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (3 December 2021). Fields, Felipe (ed.). A Closer Look at Children's Health. "Chapter 5. Risk Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Emirati Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates". Nova Science Publishers, Inc. doi:10.52305/AIIY2750. ISBN 978-1-68507-407-4.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (January 2020). Childhood Obesity: Prevention, Risk Factors and Management. "Chapter 2. Childhood Obesity, Its Prevalence and Health Impact on Children and Adolescents in Orange County, California, US". Nova Science Publishers, Inc. ISBN 978-1-53617-361-1.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander. "ORCID". orcid.org.
- ^ University of Salford. "Salford PhD student captures the sacred traditions and untold stories of Saudi Arabia in book and documentary duo | University of Salford". www.salford.ac.uk.
- ^ DQ Living (14 February 2020). "A Journey to "The Land of Adat" - Dq Living Magazine".
- ^ Arab News (26 August 2020). "A westerner's journey through Saudi Arabia".
- ^ Alchemiya Media. "The Land of Adat, Saudi Arabia".
- ^ Woodman, Alexander. "The Land of 'Adat". Harvard Hollis Library.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander. "The Land of 'Adat". British Library.
- ^ "DQ Living Magazine". 2017-11-21. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Japan-Saudi Ties: An Interview With the Japanese Ambassador". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia and Japan — ancient nations looking to the future". Arab News Japan. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Interview: The first Japanese female professor in Saudi Arabia". Arab News Japan. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2020-12-14). "The G20 Riyadh Summit 2020 - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2021-10-20). "Riyadh Global Medical BioTechnology Summit 2021 - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Former Polish President Lech Wałęsa – Nobel Prize winning labor activist who changed the European history in an exclusive interview with Alexander Woodman". Foreign Policy News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2021-10-20). "KSCDR & Boeing Launch Prince Sultan bin Salman Individuals with Disabilities Education and Awareness Program - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexanderr (2019-06-17). "Incredible Italy - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Conversation with former Director-General of the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan Senator Rehman Malik". Foreign Policy News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Interview with Loay Hisham Nazer of Bupa Arabia Health Insurance". Foreign Policy News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2022-02-14). "Memorial Exhibition Honoring HRH Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2021-04-15). "Comisión Nacional Para El Conocimiento Y Uso De La Biodiversidad an Exclusive Discussion With National Coordinator of Conabio Dr. José Sarukhán Kermez". Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology: 6003–6009.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2021-06-30). "World Happiness Report 2021: KSA, Denmark Prioritize Citizens' Quality of Life - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2021-10-20). "Interview with the Ambassador: Georg Pöstinger - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Ambassador Uemura: Education key to strengthening Saudi-Japan ties". Arab News Japan. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia and South Korea on the path to revitalization". Foreign Policy News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2022-08-09). "Obesity in Saudi Arabia - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2020-06-30). "A Union's Purpose - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Dr. Aaron Hagedorn, worldwide admired leader in the field of gerontology". Foreign Policy News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "The Italian deputy and the President of Saudi-Italian Parliamentary Committee shares recent developments about women in the Kingdom". Foreign Policy News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "UN Women Regional Director for the Arab States and Asia-Pacific regions Mr. Mohammad Naciri discusses the role of women in development of Saudi society". Foreign Policy News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "LEADERS- FEBRUARY 2020". Leaders. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Alwaleed Philanthropies - We strive for a world of equal opportunities". Alwaleed Philanthropies. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2019-12-14). "On A Mission: Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majed Saud Al Saud - Dq Living Magazine". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2023-09-02). "Discussion with the President of the European Film Academy, Agnieszka Holland". Studies in European Cinema. 20 (3): 254–262. doi:10.1080/17411548.2021.2004010. ISSN 1741-1548.
- ^ Woodman, Alexander (2023-10-02). "Promoting tolerance through historical memory A discussion with the founders of the Museo Memoria y Tolerancia, Mexico". Journal of Modern Jewish Studies. 22 (4): 400–411. doi:10.1080/14725886.2022.2058381. ISSN 1472-5886.
- ^ "Education works to keep Jewish identity and heritage a core value for all". Foreign Policy News. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
External links
edit- https://www.med.cmu.ac.th/en/
- https://www.museumoftolerance.com/
- https://www.sadara.com/
- https://www.kfmmc.med.sa/
- https://www.cilecenter.org/about-us/our-team/dr-mohammad-ali-al-bar
- https://www.instagram.com/thelandofadat/?hl=en
- https://middleeasthealth.com/topics/middle-east-health/
- https://www.leaders-mena.com/
- https://foreignpolicynews.org/
- https://www.arabnews.jp/en/features/article_7254/
- https://alumni.ucla.edu/stories/alexander-woodman-11/
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