HRH Princess Dr. Nisreen Bint Prince El-Sharif Mohammed Bin King Faisal (I) Bin El-Sharif Hussein El-Hashemite’s origins combine history, religion, politics and education, since she is from the Hashemite Family the holiest family among the Arab World and a direct descendent of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed (S).
Princess Nisreen is the granddaughter of King Faisal (I) Bin El-Sharif Hussein, the first King of Iraq and founder of the Modern State of Iraq, where the Iraqi Nation with all of its diversified ethnic origins and religions for the first time, in its history became united under the King’s leadership and his commitment to democratic values, implemented through education, tolerance, mutual respect, and upholding good relations between neighboring and other international countries.
“I want to be a doctor so I will be able to draw a smile on people’s faces”.
Following in the steps of her ancestors and vowing to preserve the traditions of her family Princess Dr. Nisreen not only dedicated herself to serving mankind, but also is the first Royal Princess qualified in science and medicine, with a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Master of Science, Medical Doctorate (MD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Genetics.
As a Royal Princess, Dr. Nisreen broke the traditional mold and became a highly visible doctor and scientist. Princess Dr. Nisreen is the recipient of multiple awards and Honorary Doctorates in the fields of science, arts, literature, and humanitarian affairs. She has published several scientific papers and is the author of several books and social studies.
“I always wanted to establish my own legacy: a Legacy that is a bit far from my title, my family history and politics, a Legacy that is based on my achievements and serving humanity”.
Her career started in 1995 at University of London Hospitals and Institutes where she developed a preventive technique known as Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis that is now in use as a preventive procedure worldwide. She also helped raise public awareness of genetic disorders, their causes and prevention programs, particularly in developing countries through Mass Media and public events she organized in collaboration with Ministries of Health and Hospitals. She continued her career at Brigham and Women’s Hospital - Harvard Medical School, where she conducted research on sex (biological) differences in tuberous sclerosis related cancers, which will lead to new immunotherapies and early detection of major types of cancer through accurate blood tests.
In 2007, Princess Nisreen left her scientific career at Harvard Medical School, to which she was very committed, to devote herself to serving socio-economic sustainable development in the world, throughout the programs of Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) as its Executive Director.
Princess Nisreen’s experience in Science and Innovation, vision and leadership led to a great development in RAST’s work, partners and affiliates into an international platform for catered socio-economic sustainable development programs that would answer the specialized needs of countries and regions.
"I always believe that Humanitarian work is not only that kind of giving tangible items in emergencies, but giving knowledge, transfer of technology, developing education and health systems, creating equal opportunities for all regardless of ethnicity, religion or background… Real Humanitarian work is to give unconditionally."
Dr. Nisreen’s humanitarian journey began at the age of 14, when her mother asked for her help and support with underprivileged children. Since then, she has worked to support elderly and disabled people, widows and orphanages, and refugees. She served in disaster areas and war zones to provide humanitarian and medical aid for civilians.
As the Founder President of Jeans 4 Genes International, she seeks to improve women’s maternal and reproductive health in several developing countries. El-Hashemite has also worked closely with the United Nations and its entities on achieving the Millennium Development Goals, with special focus on reproductive health, education, and infectious diseases. She established the World Women’s Health and Development Forum as a Center of Excellence and is played a key role in endorsing science and culture as the core for sustainable development. She is a world known as the Science Princess advocate for United Nations 2030 Development Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Princess El-Hashemite is the Founder President of the Women in Science International League, after experiencing the Gender Pay Gap with a previous colleague. In 2015, she led the change with the UN General Assembly Resolution 70/212 to proclaim February 11th the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
In 2016, Princess Dr El-Hashemite founded an international campaign for “Science in Diplomacy”, followed by a movement of “Women in Science in Diplomacy”, which has led to the appointment of more women in science in diplomatic and senior governmental positions. Princess El-Hashemite also co-founded the Culture for Peace Program, which aims to create peace and tolerance between nations, societies and communities through art, music, and lectures. She is the first artist to use Arabic / Turkish coffee for paintings, donating the proceeds from her "Wonders of Coffee"collection to support education and health programs for children and whoever is in need.
She is founder of the Science Café Program as well as the Children's Science Café. Dr. Nisreen also founded two main global programs: MUTE International, and Science in Braille to promote, empower and ensure equal human rights for deaf and blind people as agent for change.
In 1998, Princess El-Hashemite organized and chaired the RASIT-UNESCO Conference: The First International Congress of University Students, which led to the UN GA Resolution A/RES/54/120 proclaiming 12 August the International Youth Day. Since 2009, she has created, established, and supported several programs including: the Generations in Dialogue Program in Arab Countries: ENWAN Arab Youth Empowerment Programs, campaigns to renounce sectarianism and radicalization, to create synchronization, harmony and reconciliation in societies and communities, Think Science.. Think Peace, among others.
In 2018, Dr. Nisreen co-founded “Cansu Global” program dedicated to providing science-and green technology -based solutions and help achieving SDG6 (Water) and its nexus. She is a co-founder of Cansu Science, Innovation, Technology, and Education (S.I.T.E.), an international platform for water experts.
Through RASIT’s Science and Society for Socio-Economic Sustainable Development Program, Princess Dr. Nisreen works further focuses on Bringing Everyone Forward specially experts who are non-English speakers.
Her fingerprints on shaping the future of sustainable economic growth through mobilizing science, technology and innovation is quite visible and recognized worldwide.
Dr. El-Hashemite devotes time to mentoring youth and girls in science. She also visits schools and uses her titles as a Princess and a doctor to attract the attention of children and encourage them, mainly girls, to understand science and choose it as a career.
