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Clinical trials under pressure
Recruitment, patient access, site performance, real-world constraints, and research as a care option.
MENASA Group Second Annual Summit
From Representationto Research Excellence
Bridging global research equity through innovation, inclusion, and intelligence.
A two-day summit bringing together clinical research, healthcare, policy, technology, public health, and community leaders to advance inclusive research and create practical global partnerships.
Registration and ticket selection are securely managed through Luma.
September 1-2Tuesday and Wednesday · Central Time
Join your wayOn-site in Sugar Land or through global virtual attendance.
“Empowering the voice of MENASA communities in clinical research, policies, governance, and beyond.”
The summit advances participation and visibility for Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian communities while connecting researchers, healthcare leaders, policymakers, site networks, technology innovators, and community partners.
Why this summit matters
A working forum for the questions shaping clinical research now
The program moves from policy and trial operations to trustworthy AI, public-health workforce development, global site collaboration, and business innovation for MENASA populations.
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AI and responsible innovation
Transparent decision support, advanced analytics, digital health, and the human-technology divide.
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Workforce and education
Public-health leadership, medical education, observerships, fellowships, and research-readiness pathways.
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Global collaboration and impact
Site networks, cross-border partnerships, community engagement, mental health, and inclusive growth.
Full program
Two focused days from policy to implementation
All times are Central Time. Virtual sessions are identified in the agenda. Program details may be refined by the organizers.
Day 1: Leadership, Policy & Governance
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Clinical trials · AI · Innovation
8:00-9:00 AM
Registration and welcome
9:00-9:10 AM
Opening Ceremony
9:10-9:25 AM
Keynote Address
9:25-9:50 AM
MENASA Group: Global Movement Journey
9:55-10:10 AM
Harmonizing Clinical Trial Frameworks for All: Regulatory Innovation and Patient Access
10:20-10:35 AM
Strategic Keynote: The Great Human-Technology Divide
10:40-10:55 AM
Strengthening the MENA Foundation in Healthcare in the Face of Change Virtual
11:05-11:20 AM
To Be or Not to Be: Clinical Research as a Care Option
11:25-11:40 AM
Secrets to Success with MENASA Population Recruitment in U.S. Clinical Trials
11:45 AM-12:00 PM
Panel: Clinical Operations Under Pressure
12:05-12:55 PM
International Food Fair
12:55-1:20 PM
Cultural Performance
1:30-2:00 PM
Panel: Transforming Health Data into Clinical Action
2:10-2:25 PM
Smarter Trials, Fairer Outcomes: AI as a Tool for Inclusive Research
2:35-2:55 PM
Burden to Clinical Focus: How AI Is Redefining Care Delivery
3:05-3:25 PM
Driving Trial Performance Using Real-World Insights and Advanced Analytics
3:35-3:50 PM
Next-Level Personalized Healthcare: Mental Health 2.0, Root-Cause Medicine & AI
4:00-4:20 PM
Bridging the Gap: Clinical Research Across Academia and Industry
4:30-5:00 PM
American Heart Association Innovation in Health
7:00-9:00 PM
MENASA Group Gala Dinner
Day 2: MENASA Group in Action
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Public health & medical education · Workforce development · Business development & innovation
8:00-8:30 AM
Registration and Community Welcome
8:30-8:45 AM
Keynote Address
8:55-9:10 AM
Setting the Stage for Medical Observership and Fellowship Opportunities
9:15-9:30 AM
Building the Future Public Health Workforce
9:35-9:40 AM
Cultural Engagement & Needs Assessment: Thinking Outside the Box Virtual international perspective
9:40-9:45 AM
Update on the Status of Clinical Trials in Qatar Virtual international perspective
9:45-9:50 AM
MENASA and South Asia Impact Collaboration in India Virtual international perspective
9:55-10:10 AM
Thinking Outside the Box: From Local to Global Allied Health Education
10:15-10:30 AM
Reimagine Public Health in the 21st Century
10:30-11:45 AM
Global Pathways in Healthcare Education
- 10:30-10:45 AM: Trials Without Borders — Reaching Every Patient, Everywhere · Mohammed Quadri, MD · VP Strategy for Academics, Research and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health
- 10:50-11:05 AM: From Medical Student to Evidence-Based Clinician: Linking Clinical Research, Medical Education and Professional Practice · Firas Harb, MD · CEO, Meridian Medical Group
- 11:10-11:25 AM: BlueCloudX & MENASA Global Site Network · Al Pacino II, BS · President, HealthCare Point/BlueCloudX · Ryan Clemens, PharmD · CEO, MindMe
11:50 AM-12:05 PM
The Latin Diaspora, Caribbean & Iberia: A Global Bridge for AI, Healthcare and Innovation
12:10-1:00 PM
International Food Fair
1:00-1:25 PM
Cultural Performance
1:35-1:50 PM
Keynote Address
2:00-2:20 PM
The MENASA Group Proactive Approach
2:25-2:45 PM
Bringing the Patient to the Trial and the Trial to the Patient
2:50-3:05 PM
Clinical Intelligence Before Visits Begin
3:10-3:25 PM
Transforming Healthcare Through Precision, Innovation and Compassionate Care
3:30-3:50 PM
Structural Blind Spots in Mental Health Frameworks for MENASA Communities and the Urgent Need to Bridge the Gap
3:55-4:15 PM
MENASA RIME Institute
4:25-4:40 PM
MENASA Bio
4:45-5:00 PM
Words of Wisdom and Action Items
1:00-5:00 PM
MENASA Group Deal Room
Day 2 has been updated from the latest organizer-provided schedule images. The web agenda is the current version for this page; final timing remains subject to organizer confirmation.
Speakers and leadership
Government, regulatory, clinical, academic, and community voices
The summit brings together contributors from the U.S. FDA, city and state leadership, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, clinical research networks, technology companies, and global partners.
Featured voices across the two-day program
Session leadership includes keynote speakers, regulators, investigators, clinical-operations leaders, public-health experts, technology innovators, and international collaborators.
Prof. Hadi DanawiSarah Ibrahim, PhDCarol K. McCutcheonAli Elhaj, PhDSherif Zaafran, MDSuleman Lalani, MDRadwa Aly, PhDNagham Al-Zubidi, MDAshish Joshi, PhDAyesha Hameed, MBBS, MPHMazhar Jaffry, MBBS, MBA, MHANawar Shara, PhDRoseanne OnyiaKhaled Fakhro, PhDMohammed Quadri, MDVana Blamker
Leadership guiding the summit
The updated leadership visuals are now integrated directly into the page to give the committee sections a cleaner, more professional presence consistent with the MENASA design system.
- The Scientific Committee supports academic quality, multidimensional expertise, and content integrity.
- The Steering Committee leads planning, partnerships, operations, and community coordination.
- Together they anchor the summit across research, leadership, education, and underrepresented-population advocacy.
Beyond the sessions
Culture, connection, recognition, and opportunity
The summit experience extends beyond presentations with cultural programming, community hospitality, networking, recognition, and targeted partnership opportunities.
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Cultural performances
Celebrate the richness of MENASA communities through curated performances showcased across the summit experience.
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Community hospitality
Experience a welcoming environment with food, conversation, and meaningful connection among attendees, leaders, and partners.
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Recognition and fundraising
Honor distinguished leaders during the gala program and support MENASA’s mission through the live auction experience.
MENASA Gala Dinner
Tuesday, September 1, 7:00-9:00 PM. The updated gala artwork highlights featured honorees including Ziad A. Haider, MD, Sherif Zaafran, MD, and Nasruddin Rupani.
Separate registration · $250
Gala Live Auction
Featured items include a Renoir/Valtat lithograph and an Erté Apollo bronze bowl, presented as select pieces during the gala evening.
During the gala program
Cultural Performances
Day 1 and Day 2 feature cultural programming reflecting South Asian, Arab, North African, and Middle Eastern artistic traditions.
Included in summit programmingMENASA community
Built around meaningful professional connection
The community section now uses the newly prepared composite banner to present previous MENASA moments in a cleaner and more unified visual language.
Summit sponsors
Support inclusive research—and reach the people shaping it
Sponsorship connects organizations with clinical-trial sponsors, CROs, investigators, healthcare professionals, academic researchers, community leaders, and global MENASA networks.
Become a sponsor
Advance medical science with MENASA
Position your organization as a visible partner in health equity, representative clinical research, workforce development, and global collaboration.
Showcase products and servicesPresent solutions to a targeted audience engaged in clinical research, healthcare, technology, and community participation.
Champion health equityAlign your organization with initiatives advancing representative participation and better outcomes for underrepresented populations.
Reach influential stakeholdersBuild visibility with sponsors, CROs, site networks, investigators, academic leaders, and MENASA community organizations.
Strengthen industry networksConnect directly with thought leaders, innovators, and partners shaping research access, readiness, and inclusive growth.
Demonstrate inclusive-research leadershipHighlight your commitment to comprehensive clinical-trial participation and industry best practices.
Build trust and long-term partnershipsPosition your organization as a credible ally to community-based organizations, researchers, and diverse professional networks.
Choose tiered visibilityPackages may include exhibit space, speaking opportunities, summit branding, and access to networking sessions.
Extend your reach through MENASA mediaOpportunities may include MENASA Magazine and initiatives such as the Junior Clinical Research Academy and Research Referral Club.
Connect with wider professional communitiesMENASA initiatives have relationships with professionals associated with ALMA, NAAMA, APPNA, and other networks.
Support global research readinessHelp physicians and sites become research-ready and better connected to clinical-trial opportunities and international platforms.
MENASA describes its nonprofit initiative as federally tax-exempt. Sponsors should confirm contribution treatment and deductibility directly with MENASA and their own tax adviser.
Current sponsor logos are reproduced from summit materials supplied by MENASA Group.
Hampton Inn & Suites Houston Sugar Land218 Promenade Way · Sugar Land, TX 77479
Venue and access
Meet in Sugar Land or participate from anywhere
The summit is designed for both on-site engagement and global virtual attendance, making the program accessible to MENASA leaders and collaborators worldwide.
In-person attendanceExperience the room, build connections, and join the cultural and networking program.
Global virtual attendanceJoin live sessions remotely and remain connected to the summit program from anywhere.
Convenient Sugar Land locationComplimentary on-site parking, free hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center are listed by Hilton.
Official summit lodging
Stay at the summit hotel
$99per night + tax
The MENASA Group rate is offered for stays between August 31 and September 3, 2026, subject to room-block availability and Hilton confirmation.
Select arrival and departure dates between August 31 and September 3.
Open Special Rates, then enter MSG in the Group Code field.
Confirm the $99 MENASA Group rate and complete the reservation through Hilton.
Check-in 3 PMCheck-out 11 AMFree hot breakfastFree Wi-FiFree parking
Rates and room inventory are dynamic. The Hilton booking page controls the final price, taxes, availability, cancellation terms, and room selection.
Frequently asked questions
Plan your participation
When and where is the summit?
The summit takes place Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Hampton Inn by Hilton, 218 Promenade Way, Sugar Land, Texas 77479.
Can I attend virtually?
Yes. The program is open to both in-person and global virtual attendance. Select the appropriate participation option through the official Luma registration page.
How do I reserve the summit hotel rate?
Select dates between August 31 and September 3, 2026 on Hilton. Open Special Rates and enter group code MSG. The advertised MENASA rate is $99 per night plus tax, subject to availability and final confirmation by Hilton.
How can my organization become a sponsor?
Review the sponsorship benefits and use the “View sponsorship opportunities” button in the sponsor section. Questions can also be sent to menasasummit@gmail.com.
Who should attend?
Clinical research professionals, investigators, research-site teams, healthcare leaders, public-health professionals, policymakers, academic leaders, technology innovators, patient-engagement specialists, community organizations, sponsors, and professionals supporting underrepresented populations.
Are the Gala Dinner and Deal Room included?
No. The agenda lists the Gala Dinner and MENASA Group Deal Room as separate-registration experiences priced at $250 each.
Where can I see the complete agenda?
The full two-day agenda is available on this page and as a downloadable PDF. Final program changes should be confirmed through organizer communications and the official registration page.
How do I register?
Use any “Register” button on this page. You will be directed to the official Luma event page at luma.com/uyxfi4k8 to select your ticket and complete registration.
You are not alone. Join the movement.
Connect, collaborate, innovate, and create measurable impact for clinical research and MENASA communities.