Board of Directors

Dr. Sameeh M. Salama, President

  • Dr. Salama has more than 25 years of drug discovery experience across several disciplines including the discovery and development of new antibacterial and antifungal agents. In addition to being the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Fedora Pharmaceuticals Inc., he is also the CSO of Brass Dome Ventures Ltd.; member of the Advisory Group on AMR to the Canadian Public Health Agency (PHAC), former member of the Multi-sectoral Federal, Provincial and Territorial Task Group on Antimicrobial Resistance for the Government of Canada; Chairman of the Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC); GARDP REVIVE Endorsing Expert, Executive Board Member, Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub (CP2H), Member of the Oversight Committee, Li Ka Shin Applied Virology Institute (LKSAVI), Co-Chair on the Board of Directors of BioAlberta, Chairman of the Board of Al Rashid Education Foundation (AREF), and involved in a number of not-for-profit organizations. He also held several senior positions in both the drug discovery and contract research sectors, including several vice-president roles.

    In his scientific capacity, Dr. Salama played a senior role in the discovery and development of several antibiotics including beta-lactams, beta-lactamase inhibitors, fluoroquinolones, azoles, polyenes, as well as several natural products.

    Additionally, Dr. Salama is business development professional with nearly 20-year experience in strategic planning, evaluation of new business and scientific opportunities, partnership establishment and management, contract negotiations, as well as in-licensing and out-licensing of assets. He was actively involved in dozens of licensing and partnership agreements, including the licensing of Fedora’s Beta-lactamase inhibitors to F. Hoffman La Roche in a US$750 million license deal. 

    Dr. Salama received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Salford, UK, in partnership with the UK Public Health Laboratory Services (Preston, Lancs.), and published over 50 original research articles and presentations at international congresses. He is also an inventor on several original patents in the anti-infective and anti-inflammatory disease areas.

  • Bio coming soon.

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  • Majidah is a university graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Business Administration degree. She has a passion for education and looks forward to giving her time to further the education of others. Having personally experienced the opportunity scholarships provided, Majidah believes it is paramount to encourage today's students to strive for that goal. Her previous roles were in the financial and accounting sector. She is raising three young kids.

  • Ahmed is Co-Founder and CEO of Kepler Academy Early Learning and Childcare Inc. – an innovative new childcare company that is rethinking daycare and early childhood development. Ahmed also holds the title of Vice President for Next Equities, which is a growth capital private equity firm based out of Edmonton Alberta. His main focuses include business development, evaluation of business opportunities, negotiation, due diligence and operational oversight of multiple portfolio companies.

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  • Yasmeen Abdallah holds a Bachelors of Neuroscience and PharmD. She is the recipient of the AREF Entrance Award in 2014 and the Iyshie Kazeil Memorial Scholarship in 2018. She currently sits on the Board of Trustees of AREF, co-managing the marketing portfolio.

  • Sara graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Alberta. She has grown up with one hand in science and one hand in art, leading to a minor in Fine Arts as well. Her hobbies include painting, reading, and learning more about the human body as she hopes to continue her studies in the medical field. Her goal is to continue to work closely with youth in schools to aid them in pursuing their passions in whatever field inspires them. She wishes to see the impact and growth of Muslim students on our city and on the world, as they find success in doing what they love.

  • Zeinab is a marketing and design enthusiast, working on finding human-centred solutions in a variety of fields. She has completed her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, where she majored in marketing and minored in political science.

  • Bio coming soon.

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  • Bio coming soon.