Ola Al-Ghazawy

Ola Al-Ghazawy is a seasoned science journalist and editor based in Cairo, Egypt, with a distinguished career that began in 2008. Specializing in health sciences, medical research, and the impact of environmental technology, she has made significant contributions to international media outlets. Al-Ghazawy's bilingual reporting in English and Arabic covers a wide range of topics, including medicine, the environment, and other science-based subjects for prestigious publications such as Nature Middle East, the Arabic version of Scientific American, and SciDev.net's global and MENA portals.

Her journalistic work is notable for its depth and breadth, addressing complex issues such as the development of new water desalination techniques in Australia, the rise of HIV infections in the Middle East and North Africa, and the intricacies of HIV research and healthcare in these regions. Al-Ghazawy has also provided insightful coverage on the advancements in the human genome database project (gnomAD), the societal and psychological effects of cannabis use, and the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, with a particular focus on disparities faced by Arab countries and North Africa. Her reporting has shone a light on the achievements of regional scientists like pharmacogeneticist Nathalie Khoueiry-Zgheib in Lebanon, who has been recognized for her contributions to medical and health sciences amidst the country's crises.

Beyond her reporting, Al-Ghazawy is deeply committed to the development of the next generation of science journalists. She is the founder of the Planet X initiative, which is dedicated to training young Arab individuals aspiring to enter the field of science journalism. Through her initiative, Al-Ghazawy is fostering a new wave of journalists who can effectively communicate complex scientific topics to the public, ensuring that critical information is accessible and engaging for audiences in the Arab world and beyond.