NMoQ to host first Cafe Scientifique, connecting young adults with STEAM professionals

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) will host its inaugural Cafe Scientifique on September 28, offering young adults the opportunity to engage directly with professionals from Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) disciplines. The event, scheduled for 5pm to 6.30pm at Nomad Cafe, adjacent to the NMoQ Library, adopts an informal café setting to facilitate career discussions.

These conversations will enable young individuals to interact with professionals operating in Qatar, enabling them to inquire about their respective fields and career trajectories. Nadya al-Saleh, director of the ExxonMobil STEAM Festival and acting deputy director of Learning and Outreach at the NMoQ, stated in a Gulf Times interview, "This inaugural Cafe Scientifique at the NMoQ provides young people the chance to learn directly from professionals about their careers in STEAM, the decisions that influenced their professional paths, and their current work."

She further elaborated, "At the museum, our goal is to connect students with inspiring professionals in the realm of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics over a cup of coffee, allowing them to envision the future paths their interests might lead." For the inaugural session, NMoQ will feature Nayla al-Naema, Environmental and Biodiversity lead at ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ), who will present on her research focusing on the diversity of species in ecosystems using environmental DNA (eDNA).

Al-Naema has spearheaded research on Qatar’s marine environment, spearheading a major coral research initiative where she established a specialized laboratory to examine the physiology of native coral species under environmental stressors using sophisticated technologies. Her presentation will introduce attendees to the field of environmental and biodiversity research, sharing insights into her career and the scientific endeavors underway in Qatar.

The session will commence promptly at 5pm, with the talk scheduled from 5.10pm to 5.30pm. Following the presentation, from 5.30pm to 6.15pm, a question-and-answer segment will provide the audience with the chance to pose questions regarding her research, career, and experiences in the field. Cafe Scientifique is an integral component of the ongoing ExxonMobil STEAM Festival at the NMoQ, which extends until November 28 and encompasses various programs tailored for schools, families, and young participants.

All sessions are conducted in English, and registration is mandatory. Interested individuals can register via https://nmoq.org.qa/en/calendar/cafe-scientifique/.