Professor Rabah Mohamed Shawky, 1943–2021

With great sadness, we regretfully announce that Prof. Rabah Shawky, professor of pediatrics and genetics and the editor of chief of the Egyptian Journal of Medical Clinical Genetics, has passed away peacefully at the dawn of July 1, 2021, at age of 78. She suffered from a short illness and passed unexpectedly.

Prof. Rabah was born on February 6, 1943. She graduated with honors from Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, in 1965 and achieved a diploma in both pediatrics and medicines in 1968. She then obtained the doctorate degree in pediatrics in 1973. She has worked as an assistant lecturer in pediatrics and genetics in Pediatrics Department, Ain Shams University, then a lecturer, an assistant professor, and a professor in pediatrics and genetics in 1984.

She was the head of Genetics Unit, Pediatrics Department, Ain Shams University, from 1988 till 2003. She was also the head of Medical Genetics Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, from 1999 till 2003. She was the head of pediatrics department for 2 years.

Prof. Rabah pioneered the construction of the first well-equipped Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in Genetics Unit, Ain Shams University, in 1990 and the first clinic for early intervention programs for patients with Down syndrome and other conditions causing developmental delay in Ain Shams University.

Prof. Rabah was a leading researcher who supervised hundreds of masters and doctorate degree thesis and published distinguished work in different fields of pediatrics and genetics and received several local and international awards. Dr Rabah was also a member of editorial board of several journals and reviewer of international and local Journals.

Prof. Rabah was the president of the Egyptian Society of Human Genetics, The Egyptian society of Friends and Families of Genetics diseases, and The Egyptian society of human teratology. She was also a member of several national and international societies.

Prof. Rabah was a strong, kind, and supportive mother who will be sorely missed by her colleagues, friends, and students. Our condolences to her children, grandchildren, and family.