Sanaa Eddiry embodies excellence and innovation in medical research. With over 15 years of experience, this pioneering scientist combines academic rigor and clinical expertise to advance the understanding of rare diseases. As a specialist in pathophysiology and genomics, she stands out as a key figure in her field, pushing the boundaries of knowledge to offer new hope to patients. «Sometimes, a passion is born from a single moment, a spark that ignites an unquenchable fire within us», summarizes Dr. Sanaa Eddiry when describing the origin of her interest in science and medicine. As a child in Casablanca, her late father took her and her sister to a lecture by Professor René Frydman at the French Cultural Center in the early 1990s. That day, she discovered with wonder the secret of in vitro fertilization, a scientific feat that defied the limits of the possible. In an interview with Yabiladi, she confided, «I was still young, but I clearly remember the fascination that overwhelmed me. How can science give life, challenge the unknown, and push the boundaries of our imagination?» At that time, Sanae, born in the 1980s in Casablanca, realized that this world would be hers. After beginning her studies at Hassan II University in Casablanca, she went to Imperial College London, where she earned a degree in parasitology. She then moved to the south of France, where the climate was milder than in England, to pursue a master's degree in pathophysiology. But she didn't stop there, aspiring to deepen her scientific research through doctoral studies. She earned her doctorate in pathophysiology and genetics at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse in 2013, dedicating her career to studying the complex mechanisms of rare diseases, particularly Prader-Willi syndrome. Her research highlighted the crucial role of certain small nucleolar RNA molecules (snoRNA) in hormonal response, opening up new therapeutic perspectives. During her postdoctoral phase, she developed a revolutionary system to transform skin cells (fibroblasts) into dopaminergic neurons, a major advancement in understanding genetic diseases with neurological impacts. Today, Dr. Sanaa Eddiry heads the Reference Center for Rare Diseases in the Department of Endocrinology, Genetics, and Bone Diseases at the Children's Hospital, University Hospital Center of Toulouse. Dr. Sanaa Eddiry has devoted more than 15 years to biomedical research, conducting her studies with passion and accompanying her patients with humanity, tirelessly pursuing new horizons of knowledge and discovery. She has published numerous scientific articles in prestigious journals and has received several notable scientific awards, including from the French Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and the Scientific Committee of Toulouse Métropole. Alongside her research work, she is committed to disseminating knowledge and academic training, having taught at Paul Sabatier University and participated in international conferences in cities like San Francisco, Milan, Paris, and San Diego. Today, Sanaa Eddiry is back at her alma mater in Casablanca, where she teaches a genomics unit as part of the international master's program at Hassan II University. «There, I found my former professors who have become my colleagues, making this return to the roots a source of pride and responsibility, and a way to give back to the homeland.» In addition to her academic activities, she is keen to raise awareness of rare diseases by organizing seminars and workshops to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of patients. «Morocco has about 3 million people affected by these diseases, making the need for awareness and therapeutic care more urgent. In this context, I have prepared an awareness booklet to support efforts to highlight these health issues.» In parallel with her academic and scientific career, Dr. Sanaa Eddiry writes articles on the ODJ platform, where she addresses various scientific and social issues. She is also a co-founder of the Academy of Moroccan Women of the World, a platform aimed at strengthening the role of Moroccan women at the national and international level. She also sits on the executive board of the Ibn Rushd Forum, which strives to bring together skills, executives, and entrepreneurs, unite Moroccan-origin elected officials, defend Morocco's territorial integrity, and guide students and Moroccans working abroad. Although science has taken her beyond borders, her heart has never stopped beating for Morocco, «the country where I grew up, steeped in deep values and traditions that provide strength and belonging. Every time I return to my homeland, I witness a continuous transformation of the country, where medical and scientific infrastructure is developing, and where women hold increasingly important positions. Their roles are no longer limited to traditional roles; today, women are teachers, researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs, shaping the future of the country with determination and courage.» Mother to a six-year-old daughter, she defines herself as a «Moroccan woman and citizen of the world who chose expatriation not to flee, but to return better, to contribute more, and to build bridges between cultures.» She asserts that her attachment to Morocco remains «unwavering, and every scientific advancement I achieve is also a tribute to this country that shaped my character. The Morocco we dream of tomorrow is built together, thanks to those who dare to dream and push the boundaries of the possible.» She concluded her interview by emphasizing, «I am infinitely grateful to my parents who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to leave my country at a young age to continue seeking knowledge. My father, may he rest in peace, fought tirelessly to offer my sisters, my brother, and me the best educational opportunities. As for my mother, may God protect her, she never stopped supporting us with love and dedication. Words will never be enough to express how grateful I am to them.»
