Prof. Dr. Zuhair Mohammed Ali Jaddoa, Vice President for Scientific Affairs at Al-Zahraa University for Women, participated as a member of the Master’s thesis examination committee for postgraduate student Hala Mahmoud Mahdi Mousa. Her thesis, entitled “Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Postmenopausal Iraqi Women”, was examined on Sunday, 18 December 2022, in Al-Huda Hall at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Karbala.

The examination committee was chaired by Prof. Dr. Wala' Ismail Jasim, with Prof. Dr. Zuhair Mohammed Ali Jaddoa, Asst. Prof. Dr. Suzan Jubair Abbas, and Prof. Dr. Fadhel Jawad Al-Ta’ma, who also served as the thesis supervisor, as members.

The research investigated osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder characterised by reduced bone mass, deterioration of the bone tissue microarchitecture, and an increased risk of fragility fractures. The study aimed to examine the genetic polymorphism of the VDR (rs731236) gene in postmenopausal Iraqi women diagnosed with osteoporosis and to explore its role in the pathophysiology of the disease. It also examined the association between vitamin D, oestrogen, parathyroid hormone, total alkaline phosphatase activity, and bone mineral density among postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The findings revealed that the prevalence of osteoporosis and T-score values were significantly higher among postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus than among those without the disease.

Following the successful defence of the thesis, the examination committee approved the award of the Master’s degree to Hala Mahmoud Mahdi Mousa with the classification of Excellent.

It is noteworthy that many academic staff members of Al-Zahraa University for Women are regularly selected to serve as supervisors, chairs, and members of postgraduate thesis and dissertation examination committees at Iraqi Universities in recognition of their distinguished academic expertise.

Translated by Zahra’ Ala’