I still remember the feeling—sitting in the lecture hall during my first year of medical school (2012-2013), eager to engage in deep, thought-provoking discussions about medicine. But something felt missing. The system was structured around memorization, leaving little room for problem-solving and analytical thinking. I wanted more. I envisioned a different way of learning—one where knowledge was accumulated, applied, questioned, and explored.
Driven by this vision, I approached my professors with a proposal to introduce case-based and problem-solving methods into the curriculum. While some enthusiastically supported this idea, the reality of bureaucratic constraints made meaningful change difficult. But instead of feeling discouraged, I found a new path—one that would change the trajectory of my career and impact thousands of others along the way.
A New Path: The Discovery of Medical Research
In May 2013, I first heard about the USMLE exams and clinical research. It was like uncovering a hidden world of knowledge that demanded rigorous thought, curiosity, and the ability to question existing medical paradigms. Though challenging, this new frontier excited me. I began collecting books, taking online courses from prestigious institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and immersing myself in the language of science.
It was not easy. Some research papers felt impenetrable, filled with terminology I had never encountered. I would read the same sentence multiple times, searching for clarity, using Google, dictionaries, and YouTube videos to make sense of a paragraph. But with each struggle, I gained something invaluable—learning independently, a skill that would later define my journey.
By August 2014, my efforts bore fruit. I had published two conference abstracts and a cross-sectional study in an international journal indexed in PubMed. More importantly, I developed a passion—not just for research but for teaching research to others.
The Birth of a Vision: Preparing Future Scientists in the Middle-east and North African countries
That summer, during my break after my second year of medical school, I took a bold step. I organized my first-ever research training course in my hometown, Zagazig, Egypt. To my amazement, students and doctors traveled from cities like Tanta, Cairo, Monufia, and Alexandria to attend. I still recall the energy in the room—the curiosity, the hunger for knowledge, the excitement of learning something new.
They told me, “You make research easy to understand.” My goal was to take something that once felt intimidating and make it accessible, practical, and engaging. Encouraged by their feedback, I continued refining my methods, developing a structured, step-by-step approach to learning research.
What started as a single workshop soon became a movement. I founded the Medical Research Group of Egypt, which later evolved into Negida Academy, a U.S.-registered research organization in Massachusetts. Since then, I have conducted over 50 research training workshops across various Egyptian universities and beyond. In 2016, my course became a recognized asset for postgraduate students enrolling in master’s and PhD programs. By 2019, we transitioned fully online, allowing thousands to benefit from structured research education.
The Impact: A Global Research Community
Today, our research training system has reached over 30,000 students, doctors, and scientists worldwide. Each year, we:
- Host two online cohorts of our research training course
- Conduct two in-person workshops (primarily in Egypt and Jordan)
- Offer research internship programs to guide participants through real projects
Through these initiatives, thousands of aspiring researchers have learned how to design studies, analyze data, and publish their work in international journals. Many have secured research positions, prestigious scholarships, and academic fellowships.
Staying True to the Mission
Because this journey was never just about me, it was about every medical student who, like me, once struggled to navigate the research world. It was about the doctors who longed to contribute to medical science but lacked the proper guidance. It was about breaking barriers and proving that, with the right mindset, anyone can become a researcher, regardless of their starting point.
Why Should You Join This Journey?
- A Transformative Learning Experience: Our courses are not just theoretical—they are hands-on, practical, and designed for real-world application.
- A Supportive Research Community: You won’t be learning alone. You’ll be part of a global network of aspiring researchers, mentors, and peers.
- Proven Success Stories: Many of our trainees have been published in high-impact journals, received fellowships, and built successful academic careers.
- Access to Exclusive Research Opportunities: Graduates gain access to ongoing research projects, collaborations, and mentorship.
- A Lifelong Impact: This is more than a course—it’s an investment in your future as a scientist and medical professional.
Join the Movement
What began as a personal challenge has become a mission to redefine research education. I invite you to join me on this journey.
Together, let’s reshape the future of medical research. The world needs more scientists, and the world needs you.