Master’s Degree Awarded to Mr. Abdulaziz Awad Khalaqi in Medical Biochemistry

Mr. Abdulaziz Awad Alawi Khalaqi‎ was awarded a Master’s Degree in Medical Biochemistry with distinction for his thesis titled: Serum Levels of Ghrelin and Gastrin among Yemeni Qat Chewers, which was submitted to the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences– Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Saturday, 11 Ramadan 1447 Hijri, corresponding to February 28, 2026.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
# Committee Members Designation Position
1 Associate Prof. Abdulqawi Ali Al-Shamakh ‎ External Examiner Chair
2 Prof. Walid Ahmed Al-Duba’i ‎ ‎ Main Supervisor Member
3 Dr. Nawal Ahmed Al-Hanhanah ‎ Internal Examiner Member

The thesis aimed to:
 Measure serum levels of the hormones ghrelin and gastrin among Yemeni Qat chewers.
 Compare serum levels of ghrelin, gastrin, triglycerides, and cholesterol among Yemeni Qat chewers and non-chewers.
The study yielded several key findings summarized as follows:
 A significant increase in serum gastrin levels among Qat chewers.‎
 A decrease in triglyceride levels.‎
 A positive correlation between ghrelin levels and both age and cholesterol levels.‎
 Qat chewers were more likely to exhibit elevated serum gastrin levels and lower ‎triglyceride levels.‎
In light of these findings, the researcher recommended the following:‎
 Conducting further studies involving larger samples of adult Yemeni males and ‎females.‎
 Carrying out future research to investigate other gastrointestinal hormones.‎
The defense session was attended by a number of academics, researchers, students, colleagues, and the researcher’s family.