Honoring and recognizing the efforts of outstanding faculty members is an annual LAU tradition that sheds light on their contribution to growing the university’s intellectual footprint and fortifying its solid positioning as an innovative academic hub in Lebanon and the region.

On September 14, 2024, during the annual faculty meeting, Provost George E. Nasr announced this year’s Excellence Awards recipients, whose work spans food science, business IT and operations management, chemistry and medicine.

The co-recipients of the Teaching Excellence Award, who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to teaching, innovation and student engagement, were announced as Professor of Food Science and Director of Academic Compliance Hussein F. Hassan and Associate Professor of Operations Management and Assistant Provost for Educational Resources and Innovation Jordan Srour.

Dr. Hassan has “consistently demonstrated commitment to incorporating his research into his courses while fostering critical thinking to problem-based learning,” said Dr. Nasr. He further praised Dr. Hassan’s use of interactive teaching methods which have enhanced student engagement and contributed to their success.

Referring to LAU as “one of the many blessings in my life that stands out,” Dr. Hassan expressed his pride in being part of an institution “where hard workers are recognized and awarded.” He dedicated the award to his fellow faculty members, who “have withstood the tremendous challenges of the past five years,” and his students “who have pushed me to innovate.”

Introducing Dr. Srour, the provost described her as deeply involved in pedagogical innovation through her work at the helm of the Center for Innovative Learning. Through a grant from the US Department of State, she has developed a virtual exchange program in collaboration with Boise State University as part of her data-driven design teaching course. This project allowed students from the US and Lebanon to collaborate virtually on sustainable developmental solutions.

“Dr. Srour continues to bring innovative teaching methods to the classroom, fostering an inclusive and dynamic environment that enriches both students and colleagues,” added Dr. Nasr.

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Srour pointed out how her childhood ambition of becoming a teacher was rooted in an urge to know everything. “The very fact that we cannot know everything makes this job so exciting,” she said. She illustrated this point with how, at LAU, “I have the privilege of joining students, faculty and staff on their learning journey, which inevitably becomes my own, because collaboratively, we create new ways of solving complex problems.”

The Research Excellence Award, which recognizes faculty members whose innovative research has significantly contributed to their field, was presented to Assistant Professor of Chemistry Elias Akoury and, for the first time in the history of the award, a research team comprising Associate Professors of Human Genetics Eliane Chouery and Cybel Mehawej.

Last year, Dr. Akoury received the Next Generation Investigator Award, recognizing his outstanding research contributions and drug discovery on epigenetics –– a field that examines the impact of environmental factors on gene expression or their translation into proteins in the propagation of diseases, including cancer.

“This recognition means a lot not just to me but to the entire team of collaborators, students and post-docs who worked tirelessly,”  said Dr. Akoury. “Research is not an individual endeavor, but a collective effort of persistence, curiosity and the desire to make an impactful change.”

Thanking his team of collaborators, students and post-doctoral fellows, he also noted the importance of working across disciplines and borders, which “has enabled us to address “some of the most persisting scientific questions and challenges,” pledging to continue pursuing innovative research and contribute to the growing body of knowledge.

Dr. Chouery and Dr. Mehawej have hit the ground running since they first helped Dr. Andre Megarbane establish the Department of Human Genetics at the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine four years ago.  A few months back, their research efforts led to the groundbreaking discovery of a novel genetic disease: POLD3 deficiency, a syndromic severe immune disease that is associated with neurodevelopmental delay and hearing loss.

Another research feat, as Dr. Chouery explained, was how their work had led to identifying more than 30 human genes, accounting for 1.5 percent of all human genes. “We have dedicated our careers to uncovering new genes that cause rare diseases, paving the way for potential new therapies,” she said.

Dr. Mehawej spotlighted how gene identification can counter families’ uncertainties and emotional strain with clarity and hope. She called on her colleagues and faculty collaborators to “push the boundaries of knowledge and strive toward a future where every rare disease can be understood, managed and ultimately overcome.”

At the event, Dr. Nasr expressed profound gratitude to outgoing President Michel E. Mawad for his years of leadership, which “have not only shaped LAU, but also laid a foundation for the next century.” On behalf of the deans and faculty, Dr. Nasr presented him with a commemorative plaque, noting that serving alongside Dr. Mawad “has been a true privilege.”

Addressing faculty members, the provost also underscored the value of collaboration. “I am sure that through our shared commitment to academic excellence, we will navigate both the opportunities and the challenges regardless of how great they are, and together, we will continue the journey of academic excellence,” he said.