Dr. Hanan Al-Mutairi | Pediatric Oncology Nutrition | Best Researcher Award
University of Nottingham/King Faisal Specialist Hospital | Saudi Arabia
Hanan Al-Mutairi is a dedicated senior pediatric oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplant dietitian based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a long-standing career at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, she has contributed significantly to advancing pediatric nutrition care in oncology settings. She began her career as a clinical dietitian at King Fahad Medical City, where she built her foundation in pediatric care. Over the years, she has become a leading figure in pediatric oncology nutrition, combining clinical expertise, research coordination, and education. She actively participates in national and international conferences, sharing insights on nutrition therapy, ketogenic diet interventions, and pediatric cancer care. Alongside her clinical responsibilities, she mentors interns, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, and updates clinical nutrition guidelines. Through her efforts in patient education, awareness programs, and AI-driven innovations, she has emerged as a pioneer in improving nutritional outcomes for children with cancer both locally and globally.
Profile
ORCID
Education
Hanan Al-Mutairi’s academic journey reflects her dedication to pediatric oncology nutrition. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from King Saud University, where she developed her foundation in community health and medical nutrition. Her pursuit of advanced knowledge led her to Nottingham University, UK, where she completed her master’s in Advanced Dietetics Practice with distinction, highlighting her academic excellence and clinical competence. Currently, she is a PhD candidate in Oncology at the University of Nottingham Medical School, focusing on innovative nutrition approaches in cancer therapy. In addition to her formal education, she has enriched her expertise through observerships at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and SickKids Hospital in Toronto, where she gained international exposure to pediatric nutrition care. Hanan has also undertaken specialized training in metabolic nutrition, ketogenic therapies, bioinformatics, ethics, and research methodologies, complementing her academic qualifications with continuous professional development
Experience
Hanan Al-Mutairi has extensive experience spanning clinical nutrition, pediatric oncology care, and research coordination. She began her career at King Fahad Medical City as a clinical dietitian, where she gained practical expertise in pediatric nutrition. Currently, she serves as a senior pediatric oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplant dietitian at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, where she has worked for over a decade. Her responsibilities include conducting comprehensive nutrition assessments, interventions, and patient education in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Beyond clinical duties, she trains dietetic interns, healthcare providers, and physicians, ensuring the next generation of dietitians is well prepared. She also updates hospital nutrition policies, develops educational materials, and contributes to interdisciplinary committees. Her experience extends to coordinating nutrition research projects, establishing AI-driven patient education tools, and collaborating with national and international hospitals to advance pediatric oncology nutrition care and awareness.
Awards and Honors
Hanan Al-Mutairi has been widely recognized for her dedication to pediatric oncology nutrition through numerous awards, appreciation letters, and recognitions. She has received several commendations from directors of the King Fahad National Cancer Center for her exemplary contributions, including from Dr. Ibrahim Alghamlas, Dr. Amani Alkofidi, Dr. Abdullah AlJufri, and Dr. Alsolh. Her commitment to excellence was also acknowledged through the “Exemplary Employee” award at the Children’s Cancer Center. Beyond institutional recognition, she has been honored with appreciation letters from the Clinical Nutrition Department, Health Education Department, and patients’ families through the Patient Relation Department. Professional organizations, including SANAD society for children cancer, have also acknowledged her social and professional contributions. In addition, her role as a national and international speaker at conferences and symposiums further highlights her professional standing. These accolades reflect her commitment to advancing nutrition care, patient education, and research in pediatric oncology.
Research Focus
Hanan Al-Mutairi’s research is centered on improving nutritional outcomes for pediatric oncology patients, with a particular focus on ketogenic diet therapy in childhood brain cancers. She has contributed to studies examining the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of ketogenic diets, while exploring oncologists’ perspectives and biochemical mechanisms underpinning dietary interventions. Her work also covers obesity, metabolic syndrome, enteral nutrition side effects, and the role of vitamin and micronutrient status in pediatric leukemia patients. She has engaged in innovative projects assessing the impact of artificial intelligence in enhancing patient and family education in oncology nutrition. Ongoing research includes investigations into picky eating in cancer survivors, enzymatic expression in brain tumors, carnitine levels in CNS tumors, and leucine supplementation in rare pediatric conditions. By combining clinical practice with translational research, she aims to integrate evidence-based nutrition therapies into pediatric cancer care, ultimately improving survival, recovery, and quality of life.
Publications
Title: Oncologists’ Perspectives on Ketogenic Diets in Pediatric Brain Cancer: Potential, Challenges, and the Path Forward
Year: 2025
Title: Safety, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of Ketogenic Diet in Pediatric Patients With Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review
Year: 2025
Conclusion
Hanan Al-Mutairi is a highly accomplished pediatric oncology dietitian whose career blends clinical excellence, groundbreaking research, patient-centered education, and international collaboration, making her a leading figure in advancing pediatric nutrition care and innovation.