Sharjah, UAE : Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum, and his wife Lynn Barghout Jafar, co-founders of the Loulou Foundation, have been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in recognition of their significant contributions to advancing medical research and supporting children with special needs.
The honorary degrees were conferred during the university’s 2025 Commencement ceremony by Chancellor Michael Collins, celebrating the couple’s dedication to improving outcomes in the field of rare diseases—an area where over 95% of the more than 7,000 known conditions still lack approved treatments. Rare diseases affect over 350 million people globally, with children accounting for 70% of those impacted.
Majid Jafar remarked:
“We are deeply honoured by this recognition from UMass Chan Medical School. It reflects the importance of urgency and collaboration in tackling rare diseases. The UAE has long prioritised medical innovation, and we are committed to helping accelerate progress that transforms children’s lives.”
The couple was recognised not only for their work through the Loulou Foundation—which has supported over 100 research projects since its establishment in 2015—but also for their philanthropic efforts in the UAE, including the founding of the High Hopes Pediatric Therapy Center in Dubai. The centre supports over 300 children with moderate to complex special needs, providing early intervention services led by a team of specialised therapists.
Lynn Barghout Jafar, who also serves as Founder of High Hopes, reflected on the personal journey that shaped their mission:
“When our daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease, our personal challenge evolved into a global mission. We’re privileged to be part of a growing community that is advancing rare disease research with science, collaboration, and hope.”
In March 2025, the couple hosted a high-profile Charity Suhoor in support of the Al Jalila Foundation’s Child Fund, raising AED 50 million—the largest donor-led initiative in the foundation’s history. The event, themed ‘An Evening of Hope’, brought together business leaders and philanthropists to support vital medical treatment and research for children.
Majid Jafar’s broader involvement in healthcare and research includes co-chairing the international campaign for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, serving on the advisory board of the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (chaired by former UK Prime Minister David Cameron), and holding leadership roles at Harvard Medical School’s Discovery Council and Board of Fellows.
The UMass Chan Medical School, a leading U.S. institution, has also partnered with Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), reinforcing ties with the UAE’s growing medical and academic landscape.
Also honoured at the ceremony were Dr. Marcia McNutt, President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Veterans Health Administration.
