Appointment of Dr. Ahmad Qatsha as Chair of the SAAS Board of Directors
The Syrian American Academic Society (SAAS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ahmad Qatsha as Chair of the Board of Directors. We extend our sincere congratulations and wish him every success as he leads the Society into its next chapter.
Dr. Ahmad Qatsha: An Inspiring Academic Journey from Damascus to the Global Stage
Dr. Ahmad Qatsha is a university professor and distinguished researcher with more than 20 years of experience spanning leading universities and research institutions in Japan and the United States. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to the fields of biology, respiratory diseases, cancer research, and higher education.
Dr. Qatsha began his academic journey at the University of Damascus in 2001. He later received the prestigious Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship to pursue his graduate studies at Tohoku University, where he conducted pioneering research on the therapeutic potential of adult stem cells for the treatment of emphysema.
In 2009, he was awarded the European Respiratory Society Young Investigator Award in recognition of his outstanding research achievements. He subsequently served as a postdoctoral researcher at the Center of Excellence at Tohoku University.
After moving to the United States, Dr. Qatsha joined Vanderbilt University, where he conducted advanced cancer research. In 2014, he received the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Merit Award in recognition of his exceptional scientific contributions.
Dr. Qatsha has also played an important role in advancing Arabic-language higher education. He contributed to the development of biology courses for non-science majors at the University of the People and helped create comprehensive educational programs in Arabic to expand access to quality learning.
He currently serves at Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey, where he focuses on enhancing higher education through innovative teaching practices and the integration of artificial intelligence to improve the student learning experience. He also founded and chairs the College's Institutional Review Board (IRB), promoting the highest standards of research ethics.Dr. Qatsha has authored and co-authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications in internationally recognized journals. His career exemplifies the integration of scientific excellence, educational leadership, and community service.
We wish Dr. Ahmad Qatsha every success in his new role and look forward to continued growth and excellence for the Syrian American Academic Society (SAAS).