Gender: Woman
Nationality: Palestinian
Academy Affiliation: Palestine Academy for Science and Technology
Academy Country: Palestine
Field: Public health in emergencies and conflict settings; youth leadership and intergenerational equity in health; global health diplomacy; gender equity in health systems; sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); participatory research and advocacy

NOMINATED FOR: Policy Advice Committee;
TERM: First-time candidate

DESCRIPTION OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE ACADEMY'S ACTIVITIES OR IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:

Dr. Duha Shellah has been an integral contributor to the international engagement and visibility of our academy. As Coordinator of the Medical & Health Sciences Division at PALAST, she has advanced our strategic goals by strengthening youth participation in science, initiating collaborative research dialogues, and representing the academy at regional and global levels. She has contributed to designing policy-relevant programming that connects national health priorities with international networks, particularly in areas of public health in emergencies, gender equity, and youth leadership.

Duha has represented Palestine and the academy in multiple high-level forums, including the WHO Youth Council, the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), and the InterAcademy Partnership’s Young Physician Leaders Program. Her engagement brings both technical and diplomatic value, as she consistently champions equity, scientific integrity, and intergenerational leadership in global health. She also supports capacity-building efforts for early-career scientists and serves as a bridge between youth-led initiatives and institutional scientific bodies. Her role has helped shape PALAST’s profile as a collaborative and globally engaged academy, rooted in national expertise but active on the international stage.

EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES IN AN IAP, NATIONAL ACADEMY OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY:

Dr. Duha serve as Coordinator of the Medical & Health Sciences Division at the Palestine Academy for Science and Technology (PALAST), contributing to national science engagement and youth integration. She is the Vice Chair of the World Health Organization EMRO Youth Council, advising on mental health, NCDs, and emergencies. At the WFPHA, she chairs the Working Group on Public Health in Emergencies and serve as Research Lead and EMR Delegate at the Young Council. Sr. Duha chairs the Women in Global Health - Palestine Chapter and founded The Researchist Organization, a youth-led platform advancing research culture in the Arab region. She also served on the Steering Committee of the Young Physician Leaders Program, supporting the next generation of physician leaders.