Alexander Woodman

Alexander Woodman, a professor of clinical preventive medicine and public health, has been widely recognized for his research work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. His primary research focuses on advancing global reproductive health, medical education, clinical research methodologies, and health diplomacy.

Education
A distinguished alumnus of Los Angeles High School, Alexander Woodman commenced his academic journey at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California earning an Associate of Science degree with honors. His pursuit of excellence continued at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was awarded both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degrees, graduating cum laude. He received the Chancellor Gene Block's award, ranking in the top three percent of UCLA's 2011 graduating class. His role in the UCLA Honors program was pivotal, documenting the harrowing narratives of Holocaust and Genocide survivors – a testament to his societal engagement. He interviewed survivors who shared their personal stories of survival with the Plato Society of UCLA and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. While at UCLA, Alexander volunteered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and gained a better understanding of community service and civil participation. As part of his undergraduate research award and community service, Woodman received the highly competitive Wasserman Fellowship.

Woodman's academic ascent proceeded at the University of Southern California (USC), where his scholarly contributions were marked by a Master of Science degree with distinction and a role as a research assistant. His scholarly pursuits led him to California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), where he was awarded a California Predoctoral fellowship and earned a Master of Public Health degree. The pinnacle of Woodman's academic endeavors was achieving his doctoral degree from the University of Salford in Manchester, United Kingdom. This achievement was further enhanced by his postdoctoral research conducted at both Harvard Medical School and Yale University. Later, Alexander was invited as a summer faculty at Yale University.

His contributions and expertise in preventive medicine and clinical research earned him the Fulbright Research Fellowship. This distinguished fellowship supported his research at the School of Medicine at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) in Bahrain.

Career
Alexander Woodman started his professional journey at UCLA, Cal State LA, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), serving as a research associate. Under the tutelage of Dr. Walter Zelman, Chair of the Public Health Department, and Dr. Howard Xu of the Department of Biological Sciences, at Cal State LA, Woodman honed his expertise in developing advanced techniques for the rapid detection of bacterial pathogens. Woodman embarked on a mission to Southeast Asia, aiming to dissect and address the multifaceted barriers to infectious disease testing. In collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), his research at Chiang Mai University Medical Center and the Chiang Mai Provincial Health Office was instrumental in assessing the healthcare needs of the Burmese/Myanmar refugees and illegal migrants in Thailand's Saraphi district, Chiang Mai province.

Transitioning from his foundational research and academic achievements in the United States, Woodman was invited to expand his professional horizons in the Middle East. At a prominent university in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, he delved into clinical research and medical education. His collaborative initiatives with industry giants like Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and Sadara petrochemical companies were pivotal in enhancing preventative healthcare in the workplace.

Preventive medicine and clinical research
Alexander Woodman has significantly contributed to both preventive medicine and clinical research through his collaborations with international institutions and researchers. His work focuses on the genetic, behavioral, and attitudinal determinants that influence the health and well-being of diverse populations. His notable clinical research includes genetic analysis of the TMPRSS6 gene in women with iron deficiency anemia; determining antigen levels in plasma and the genotypes of PAI-2 in pregnancy associated with homozygous sickle cell anemia; investigating genetic variants in the leptin gene linked to obesity; studying the effects of post-diagnosis exercise on depression symptoms, physical functioning, and mortality in breast cancer survivors; and addressing bioethical challenges in modern medicine. In the realm of preventive medicine, Alexander developed an award-winning project for the "Healthcare Transformation and Research" titled "Keep Me Well" Health Model. This innovative project was designed to transform the workplace into an area for self-care and well-being. It aimed to educate, motivate, and empower employers and employees of Saudi companies to implement comprehensive programs that allow employees to exercise, adopt specific nutrition and weight management habits, improve mental health, and receive an extensive medical education efficiently. Through these endeavors, Alexander Woodman underscores the equal importance of advancing clinical research and promoting preventive health measures, each reinforcing the other in improving health outcomes across communities.

Research
Woodman's research extends across global reproductive health, medical education, clinical practice, and health diplomacy. In a pioneering doctoral thesis, he was the first to scrutinize the interplay between nutritional behaviors, attitudes, and the knowledge of the Food Dome dietary guidelines among students in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. This research unveiled insights that challenged existing paradigms, prompting Woodman to further his postdoctoral inquiries at Harvard Medical School. There, he delved into the correlation between the leptin gene mutations and various health indicators in obese individuals in Saudi Arabia, thereby laying the groundwork for subsequent research across the Gulf states.

His collaborations with the president of the Arab Board for Family and Community Medicine Zohair Sebai and Islamic bioethicist Mohammed Ali Albar, who later mentored him, have been instrumental. Woodman emerged as the foremost researcher to systematically dissect and articulate ethical considerations in Saudi Arabia's bioethics realm.

Publications
Woodman has authored several book chapters, delving into communicable and non-communicable diseases across various Middle Eastern study contexts. His scholarly reach extends to the realm of contemporary bioethics, addressing critical issues such as end-of-life care, and the ethics of organ donation and transplantation. In the of public health and clinical research, Woodman's contributions are substantial, having authored and co-authored over fifty peer-reviewed articles published by publishing houses, including Cambridge University Press, Elsevier, Oxford University Press, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, and Wiley. His comprehensive publication record is meticulously cataloged on his ORCID page.

In addition to his contributions as an author, Woodman has played a significant role in shaping scientific discourse as an editorial board member for journals such as the Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the Saudi Critical Care Journal. His commitment to fostering academic excellence was evident during his tenure at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he served on the editorial board of Aleph, the university's premier journal dedicated to undergraduate research.

Book
In his book, The Land of 'Adat, published in 2020, Alexander Woodman offers an insightful exploration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, weaving a narrative that captures the essence of its rich history and enduring traditions through a modern lens. This journey is not only a visual feast, illustrating the vibrant daily life in bustling marketplaces, homes ranging from the modest to the palatial, and the dynamic streets of its cities, but it also delves into the architectural splendor and the historical and religious enigmas of the land. A highlight of Woodman's exploration includes the rock at Rephidim in the Jabal Al-Lawz mountain range, a site of profound biblical significance tied to Moses and the miraculous events described in Exodus 17:6. Central to Woodman's narrative is the intricate tapestry of Saudi identity. He navigates the depths of the Saudi spirit, portraying a people whose lives are profoundly shaped by reverence and respect for divine providence, familial bonds, and deeply ingrained moral values. The Land of 'Adat not only showcases the physical beauty of Saudi Arabia but also eloquently articulates the profound cultural ethos and traditions that are the bedrock of the nation. The Land of 'Adat has earned its place in the collections of the British Library and Harvard University's Hollis Library.

Saudi Ministry of Defense medical division
Alexander Woodman was recruited as the Head of the Scientific Research Department at the King Fahad Military Medical Complex (KFMMC/PSMCHS), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant chapter in his career. Under his astute leadership, the KFMMC research team garnered grants and accolades from esteemed institutions, including the Al Jawhara Medical Centre for Molecular Medicine and Inherited Diseases, the King Fahad Specialist Hospital, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and Harvard University. Furthermore, Woodman's expertise was instrumental in his role as an investigative health researcher for the Medical Services Division of the Armed Forces Hospitals under the Saudi Ministry of Defense, where his contributions significantly advanced the domain of health research.

Public appearances
Alexander Woodman was invited by prominent media outlets in the Gulf – including Middle East Health, Forbes Middle East, Diplomatic Quarter Publication, Arab News, Leaders, and Foreign Policy News, DC – to initiate a series of thought-provoking discussions. Engaging with heads of states, titular leaders, politicians and diplomats, he analyzed healthcare strategies as a means to enhance the global quality of life. In 2020, Woodman was invited to cover G20 Riyadh summit and Global Health conferences by Diplomatic Quarter publication for the readers of DQ community in Riyadh. His discussions featured interactions with Polish President Lech Wałęsa (1990–1995), Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Prof. Leszek Balcerowicz (1989–1991, 1997–2001), senior British Diplomat Sir Michael Arthur KCMG, formerly her late Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis CMG, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's advisor Luca Ferrari, Pakistani Senator Rehman Malik. Published interviews by Woodman also feature discussions with the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, General Raheel Sharif, the father of former Ambassador of the United States, Arturo Sarukhan, renowned biologist Jose Sarukhan Kermez in Mexico City, French Judge Elisabeth Baccara, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan. He had an interview with the third oil minister of Saudi Arabia and Saudi Ambassador to Egypt from 2005 to 2011 Hisham Nazer's son chairperson of Bupa Arabia Loay Hisham Nazer; Saudi Minister of Finance (1960–1961) HRH Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's youngest son HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Talal, Muhamed Hamdi Jusufspahic the president of the supreme council of the Islamic community of Serbia, and Serbian mufti and deputy of Grand Mufti of the Islamic Community of Serbia, former President of the Republic of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov, Afghan presidential candidate Syed Jalal Karim, and Greek regional governor and President of the Athens Medical Association, George Patoulis. In his discussions, apart from studying the history and development of diplomacy from different perspectives, Woodman explored health from a new perspective: health diplomacy. At this time, his discussions were with leading diplomats and ambassadors serving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, exploring diplomacy aimed at protecting the health and well-being of populations beyond national borders. Woodman outlined the history and precise development of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy, public diplomacy with foreign countries, dialogue-based diplomacy, changing perspectives, and how science and health have become the main pillars of modern diplomacy, including Saudi diplomacy and its allies.

Woodman has also been invited to advise leading international diplomats and heads of mission on health projects and initiatives, members of royal family in the Gulf, as well as major philanthropy organizations. Woodman has consistently intertwined his research with the history of medicine, such as the Holocaust, genocides and other human atrocities. His notable interviews include discussions with Agnieszka Holland of the European Film Academy, Sharon Zaga and Mily Cohen of the Museo Memoria y Tolerancia in Mexico and Leslaw Piszewski, a prominent figure in Warsaw's Jewish community. These interactions underscore his commitment to addressing complex global issues through the lens of public health and diplomacy.

Awards and recognition

 * Harvard Medical School Research Commendation Award
 * UCLA College & Departmental Honors Award
 * UCLA Recognition Award for Editorial Work
 * UCLA Recognition of High Achievements and Outstanding Promise
 * University of Southern California Graduate Award
 * California State University & UCLA Leadership Academy Award
 * California State University Graduate Equity Award
 * The U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award
 * Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital Recognition for Research
 * Saudi Aramco Recognition for Research
 * His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Recognition for Research
 * King Fahad Specialist Hospital Award for Research Work as part of Vision 2030
 * Arabian Gulf University for Research in Mapping the Obesity in the Gulf
 * King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology for Research "Guidelines on Risk Assessment for Health Care Professionals at King Fahad Military Medical Complex"
 * Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Novo Genomics for "Genetic Sequencing of Premature Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in Saudi Arabia"