Dr. Laila Damiati: Bridging Science, Strategy and Academic Leadership in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Laila Damiati represents a modern model of academic leadership in Saudi Arabia scientifically grounded, strategically minded, and deeply committed to institutional and societal development. With a career spanning higher education, research, national policy support, and quality advocacy, she stands at the intersection of science, leadership, and sustainable impact.

𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗮𝗵
At the University of Jeddah, Dr. Damiati serves as Vice Dean for Scholarships and Training Affairs alongside her role as Associate Professor in the College of Science. In this dual capacity, she contributes to shaping scholarship strategies, training pathways, and talent development initiatives that prepare students and faculty to engage competitively in a global academic landscape. Her work focuses on building sustainable capacity, expanding access to high-quality training, and embedding a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across the institution.

As an educator, she brings her expertise in biomaterials, cell engineering, microbiology, and immunology into the classroom and laboratory, mentoring students and young researchers in rigorous scientific methods and critical thinking. Through teaching, supervision, and collaborative projects, she helps cultivate a new generation of scientists aligned with both local priorities and international standards.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆
Dr. Damiati’s journey began in the laboratory as a Lab Supervisor at the Stem Cell Unit in King Fahd Medical Research Center, where she oversaw experimental work and research operations in advanced biomedical settings. This hands-on scientific grounding evolved further during her PhD at the University of Glasgow in Biomaterials and Cell Engineering, where she also served as a Demonstrator, gaining experience in teaching and academic support within a leading global research environment.

Her research work has focused on areas such as tissue engineering, bone regeneration, and biomaterials, contributing to publications and scientific discourse on advanced therapeutic strategies and cellular microenvironments. This combination of laboratory depth and academic exposure underpins her ability to promote evidence-based decision-making and research-led teaching in her leadership roles.

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆
Beyond her university responsibilities, Dr. Damiati has contributed at the national level as a Consultant to the Ministry of Education, supporting initiatives linked to higher education development and policy. Her engagement reflects a strong commitment to aligning institutional practice with national strategies for education, innovation, and human capital development.

She also serves as a Quality Ambassador with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), where she helps advance quality culture and standards awareness, reinforcing the importance of structured quality management in organizations. Additionally, her participation in the Arab SDGs “Who’s Who” network under the United Nations Agenda 2030 places her within a regional community of professionals committed to sustainable development and impact-focused initiatives.

𝗔 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Dr. Damiati’s academic profile reflects a rare integration of science and management. She holds a PhD in Biomaterials and Cell Engineering from the University of Glasgow, an MBA from the University of Business & Technology, and earlier degrees in Biology, Microbiology, and Immunology from King Abdulaziz University. This blend equips her with both technical expertise and strategic acumen, enabling her to navigate complex institutional challenges, design effective programs, and communicate across scientific and administrative domains.

She has further strengthened her leadership capabilities through executive education from Harvard Business School Online, including programs in Leadership Principles, Power and Influence for Positive Impact, and Strategy Execution. These credentials reinforce her ability to lead change, influence stakeholders, and translate strategic vision into actionable initiatives.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Alongside her institutional roles, Dr. Damiati remains actively engaged in the wider research and medical community. She has contributed as a research coordinator for clinical trials with pharmaceutical companies, supporting studies that directly impact patient care and therapeutic approaches. Her long-standing involvement in organizing conferences with bodies such as the Saudi Society of Hematology reflects a commitment to scientific exchange, professional networking, and community education within the health and biomedical sectors.

Through publications, conference participation, and editorial or topic roles in international research forums, she helps shape contemporary discussions around tissue engineering, biomaterials, and cellular cross-talk in disease and regeneration. Her work illustrates how focused scientific inquiry can feed into broader systems of healthcare, education, and innovation.

𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
What distinguishes Dr. Laila Damiati is not only the breadth of her roles, but the coherence of her vision: advancing higher education and research excellence while building sustainable institutional capacity and contributing meaningfully to society. She consistently seeks to expand her impact, diversify her expertise, and align her efforts with national and international development agendas.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 proudly highlight her as a rising academic and institutional leader whose integration of research excellence, strategic vision, and service mindset is helping shape the future of higher education and scientific innovation in the Kingdom.