Emerging technologies such as genomics, AI, and data-driven medicine are rapidly transforming health care systems and patient outcomes across the globe. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, in collaboration with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), hosted a recent workshop on precision medicine. Held in Washington, D.C., the workshop is part of a series that aims to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration between the U.S. and Kuwait on recent advancements in the field.

“This collaboration between the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is a model of how science diplomacy can serve humanity,” said Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the United States, during her opening remarks.

Attendees heard from expert panels, met for breakout sessions, and participated in roundtable discussions to explore new frontiers in translational precision medicine. Researchers also made time for networking between sessions, and during an evening reception, Victor Dzau, president of the National Academy of Medicine, addressed attendees and celebrated the continued collaboration and network building between the U.S. and the Gulf region.

“Such workshops can lead all who participate to have actionable insights about how to move forward and spark new collaborations in the process,” said Joshua Sharfstein of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

This most recent workshop built on the momentum of the inaugural workshop in February 2025, hosted by KFAS in Kuwait City. That first meeting brought together researchers from Kuwait, the United States, and across the region to explore cutting-edge advances in point-of-care technologies, increasing impact of AI on precision medicine, and emerging insights into chronic metabolic diseases. Participants also discussed ways to strengthen collaboration between the two nations and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

“This workshop proved that science has no borders,” said Dari Alhuwail of Kuwait University. “It did more than just share knowledge — it constructed vital bridges between scientific communities, fostering a shared understanding that is essential for addressing complex global challenges.”

This workshop series is part of an ongoing, broader partnership between the National Academies and KFAS to explore topics in science, engineering, and medicine that are important to both countries. Previously, the two institutions collaborated on a workshop series on improving the inclusion of women in science, engineering, and medicine. KFAS also sponsored two Arab-American Frontiers symposia in 2011 and 2018.

Related Resources

• Watch a National Academies video highlighting scientific collaborations between researchers in the U.S. and Kuwait.