LAU prides itself on being a place of transformative learning where young undergraduates grow into tomorrow’s scholars and thought leaders. This holds especially true for the Undergraduate Research and Discovery (URaD) Program, a flagship initiative at the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS), designed to cultivate undergraduate research, creativity, and innovation through close collaboration between students and faculty mentors.

Since its inception, URaD has fostered a culture in which students are encouraged to take an active role. Under the leadership of SoAS Associate Dean Sandra Rizk, the program has continued to expand in both scope and impact, strengthening its emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential learning, helping students develop the confidence and adaptability required to navigate complex challenges.

Speaking at the URaD Award Ceremony held on May 19, 2026, at Irwin Hall on the Beirut campus, Dr. Rizk emphasized the role that the initiative plays in “teaching students applied-problem solving and encouraging their enterprising spirit.”

SoAS Dean Haidar Harmanani continued in the same vein, summing up URaD’s founding vision in one sentence: “SoAS undergraduates shouldn’t just consume knowledge, they should produce it.”

The dean underscored the program’s transformative effect on the students, how it sharpened the way they think and built their “tolerance for uncertainty.”

“You leave with something far more lasting than a line on a transcript,” he told the students. “You leave with the experience of discovery itself.”

A defining feature of the program is its mentorship model, which pairs undergraduates with faculty and community partners to guide their research and creative projects. Through this collaborative experience, students develop analytical and technical skills while pursuing topics they’re passionate about.

Over the course of a year, participants produce work ranging from publications and innovations to exhibitions and performances, gaining valuable experience that prepares them for future careers as distinguished contributors to their fields.

The 2026 cohort reflected the breadth and ambition of the initiative, with students boasting projects that embodied the values of excellence, curiosity, and ingenuity at the heart of LAU’s mission.

Among them was senior Biology student Abraham Yazbeck, whose research focused on using natural compounds to treat breast cancer in order to avoid adverse side effects. Under the mentorship of Dr. Rizk, he successfully tested a more soluble form of vitamin E while examining its effects at the molecular level. The compound showed promising results in terms of its superior absorption rate and toxicity to malignant cells.

According to Yazbeck, the URaD program played a pivotal role in shaping the soon-to-be-published study, teaching him “how to write a proposal, how to think critically, how to apply for grants, how to structure research methods, and how to practice research in an ethical manner.” It also exposed him to brand new perspectives and approaches, allowing him to “meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds” and forge strong bonds with his fellow students. To him and others like him, “URaD became like a second family.”

In total, 21 undergraduates were recognized for completing the program, marking the culmination of an academic journey that transformed them into more autonomous thinkers and creators.

Now in its fifth year, URaD remains a catalyst for student growth and intellectual exploration, reinforcing the university’s commitment to empowering undergraduates through discovery and mentorship.