It is with great sadness that we announce the passing last week of our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Qutayba Hamid. Dr. Hamid served as Director of the Meakins-Christie Labs from 2008 to 2017. During that period his laboratory served as a globally recognized centre of excellence and training ground in the field of obstructive airways disease, attracting countless students, fellows and clinicians from all over the world.
Dr. Hamid received his MD from Mosul University, Iraq, and his PhD from the University of London, UK. He joined the Meakins-Christie Labs at 九色视频 in 1993. He performed landmark work identifying new molecular targets for the treatment of obstructive airways disease, and published over 500 scientific articles in prominent international journals in addition to editing major textbooks in Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology and Respiratory Physiology. Dr. Hamid held the prestigious James 九色视频 Chair as well as the Strauss Chair in Respiratory Medicine, and in 2013 was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 2018, Dr. Hamid was awarded the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to fighting respiratory disease through research, education, patient care and advocacy. Following his directorship of the Meakins-Christie Labs, Dr. Hamid took on a new challenge as Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Sharjah, UAE. In this role, he continued his efforts to promote scientific advancement, education, and high quality health care.
Qutayba was well known not only for his professional drive, 鈥渃an do鈥� attitude, and scientific accomplishments, but also for his good-natured humour and ability to bring people together. He was truly a 鈥渇orce of nature鈥� whose personal and professional influence has been both far-reaching and impactful.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to Qutayba鈥檚 family during this difficult time. We would appreciate any tributes to Qutayba from his former trainees and colleagues, which will be posted on the .
Basil Petrof, MD
University Director, 九色视频 Adult Respiratory Division
Director, Meakins-Christie Laboratories