International Ambassadors


Many Strathclyde Science graduates hold senior positions at prestigious instutitions and organisations across the world, and working with our Ambassadors to help build Strathclyde's international profile is a key element of our overseas engagement strategy.

Our International Ambasadors are listed below. They would be more than happy for you to contact them, so feel free to get in touch if you're looking for information about what it's like to be a student at Strathclyde or how they found their experience of living and studying in Glasgow, one of Europe's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.

Let them tell you how the Strathclyde experience has helped them along the way to a successful and fulfilling career in Science.

Dr Qosay Al-Balas is currently Associate Professor at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). He graduated with a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry with a specialism in Drug Design from the University of Strathclyde in 2008. His undergraduate degree was in pharmacy, which he obtained from JUST in 2000. He has held many different positions during his career, including Assistant Dean, Head of Department and Director of the Pharmaceutical Research Center and Director at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH).

His current research is directed towards designing novel inhibitors of Zinc metalloenzymes for cancer treatment, namely Glyoxalase-I enzyme.

Email: qabalas@just.edu.jo

Dr. Naser Al-Tannak is a graduate of the Universities of Kuwait (B.Pharm Hons) and Strathclyde (MSc, PhD in Pharmaceutical Analysis) and is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Kuwait University. He was a post-doctoral researcher and teaching fellow at Strathclyde. 

His research focuses on separation techniques, pharmaceutical dosage form analysis, natural product analysis and drug stability studies. Recent publications include: Antimycobacterial Activities of N-SubstitutedGlycinyl 1H1,2,3-Triazolyl Oxazolidinones and Analytical Method Development and Validation for a Representative Compound (2017) and UHPLC-UV Analysis of Morin and Structurally Related Flavonoids with Potential Anticancer Activity (2017).

Email: dr_altannak@HSC.EDU.KW

Dr. Majed is an Assistant Professor in Pharmaceuticals in Taif University. His research focuses on gene delivery for the treatment of cancer. He obtained his Master degree and PhD from the University of Strathclyde (2009-2013). During his studies at Strathclyde he won the Distinguished Saudi Student Award from the Saudi Cultural Bureau in London. Currently, he is Dean of the College of Pharmacy at Taif University, Saudi Arabia. 

Email: majed.alrobaian@hotmail.co.uk

Email: ssbawazeer@uqu.edu.sa

Dr Moustafa holds a Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences “Medicinal Chemistry” (1991) awarded jointly by the University of Alexandria, Egypt and the University of Strathclyde. 

His research interests are in the synthesis of novel Dopaminergic compounds either agonists or antagonists. Since 2008 he has been Dean of the Oman Pharmacy Institute in Muscat.

Email: mmsakreem59@hotmail.com

Dr. Alazwari is an assistant professor at Taif University. She obtained her PhD degree in Computer and Information Sciences in June 2016 from the University of Strathclyde. She also completed her Master degree in Computer and Internet Technologies at Strathclyde in 2010. 

Her research focuses on minimising the number of updates (deltas) necessary for updating Semantic Web data which has led to the introduction of new updating method that produce sound and small deltas, which are both important properties. She won the best paper Award in SEMANTiCS15 in Vienna and the best paper Award in the 8th Saudi Conference in London. During her PhD studies she won a number of prizes for the Best Student Award from the Saudi Cultural Bureau in London. Before that, in 2006, she was awarded the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for the Gifted Award.

Email: alazwari.s@hotmail.co.uk

Dr. Zhen Yang is currently a professor at the College of Life Sciences and Oceanography of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. She obtained her B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from Zhongshan University, China, in 1985 and Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, in 1992. This was followed by postdoctoral research in the University of Pittsburgh, USA. Since 1995 she had been working as a Research Scientist in industries until joining Shenzhen University, China, as an Associate Professor in July 2004. She was promoted to Full Professor in December 2008.

Her research interests are focused on the use of enzymes in unusual reaction systems (e.g., in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents): their catalytic performance, biophysical chemistry, and applications.

Email: zyang@szu.edu.cn

Dr Yazariah joined the School of Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia in November 2010 after completing her PhD study in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde.

Her research interests are in the area of fluid dynamics and mathematical modelling. Her work involves unsteady similarity solutions for rivulets and dry patches in the thin film of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.

Email: yazariahmy@usm.my