Dr. Lama M. Alhawas is a distinguished Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Riyadh. With a strong foundation in biochemistry, Dr. Alhawas holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa, Canada, complemented by a minor in Psychology.

Her academic pursuits continued at Georgetown University in the United States, where she earned both a Master's and a Doctoral degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. During her doctoral studies, she conducted groundbreaking research on the role of T-Lak cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK) in prostate cancer stemness and androgen independence.

Recognized for her exceptional academic achievements, Dr. Alhawas has received several honors, including the Master’s Honor Student Award from Georgetown University and the Bachelor Honor Student Award from the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.

In her administrative role, Dr. Alhawas serves as the Chairperson of the Quality Assurance and Academic Accreditation Unit within the College of Applied Medical Sciences. In this capacity, she is instrumental in steering, supporting, and overseeing all academic programs to ensure adherence to rigorous quality assurance standards, playing a key role in the accreditation process for the college’s programs.

Dr. Alhawas’s commitment to academic excellence is further demonstrated through her active participation in curriculum development, academic review committees, and her contributions to scientific research, with several publications to her name. Her work not only advances the field of biochemistry and molecular biology but also enhances the quality and standards of education at KSAU-HS.