RIYADH: Almost 40 research grants have been awarded under a funding initiative by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in support of global and local efforts to counter the coronavirus pandemic.
The initiative aims to invest in the university’s research capabilities in finding scientific solutions that mitigate the economic, social and psychological repercussions of the virus.
A total of 171 researchers have passed the first phase of the initiative, 149 of which are from PNU and King Abdullah University Hospital, and 22 researchers were affiliated with local and international scientific and health research agencies and centers.
The university’s initiative will contribute to scientific research to confront the pandemic and help finance innovative projects that highlight the efforts of the Kingdom in facing the pandemic.
Dr. Kholoud bint Saad Al-Muqrin, dean of scientific research at the university, said that results of the projects are expected to be published in scientific journals.
The initiative’s themes include public health policies, virus interaction, diagnostic tests, clinical experiences of therapeutic interventions, prototype manufacturing in biomedical engineering, as well as developing methods to eradicate unsafe waste, and assess the economic, social and psychological impact of disease on society.
