In academic literature, citation frequency serves as one of the measurable indicators of the scholarly work’s visibility and scholarly engagement. While overall research impact extends beyond bibliometrics, LAU researchers’ work has continued to climb the ranks at the global level.

This year, 27 full-time LAU faculty members have been named among the world’s top 2 percent most-cited scientists in the 2026 Scopus–Elsevier List. Their listing has sustained a strong presence on the ranking since 2023.

For LAU Provost and Executive VP for Academic Affairs Gregory Heileman, the consistency of the result matters as much as the number itself. “It’s gratifying to see our faculty on this list year after year, but what stands out to me is the breadth. These colleagues come from business, the sciences, engineering, medicine, and pharmacy—high-impact research at LAU isn’t confined to any one school.”

“Clearly,” he added, “excellence in research is part of this institution’s DNA, and we intend to keep building on it as our graduate programs grow.”

Elsevier publishes the list annually using a methodology developed by researchers at Stanford University. Drawing on standardized citation metrics from the Scopus database, it ranks scientists according to their research impact across 22 fields and 174 subfields, and only those in the top 2 percent of their field are included.

This year, the Adnan Kassar School of Business once again accounted for the largest group from LAU, with nine faculty members on the list, including Dean Dima Jamali. The School of Arts and Sciences followed with eight, a number that grew this year as Assistant Professor Sahar Obeid joined her colleagues on the ranking.

Representation from the School of Engineering and the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine held steady, with five and four faculty members respectively. Among the engineering honorees is LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah, while the School of Pharmacy is represented again by Associate Professor Mohammed Maher Mehanna.

As LAU continues to expand its graduate programs and research support, the university looks to build on this record and to encourage the kind of high-impact scholarship that serves both Lebanon and the wider academic community.

“A high citation record certainly reflects scientific credibility and international recognition, proving that our scholars are active contributors to the global state of the art,” notes Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Samer S. Saab.

“Yet we must be careful not to view citations as the sole benchmark of success,” he cautioned. “Research impact must also be measured by how effectively knowledge is applied to serve our local and regional communities, develop sustainable solutions, and cultivate the next generation of independent researchers at LAU.”

Adnan Kassar School of Business (9) (from top to bottom row, left to right): Professor and Dean Dima R. Jamali, Professor Guy Assaker, Professor Elie I. Bouri, Associate Professor Leila Dagher, Professor Maya F. Farah, Associate Professor Omar S. Itani, Associate Professor Dervis Kirikkaleli, Professor Zahy Bashir Ramadan, and Associate Professor Muhammad Umar.

School of Arts and Sciences (8) (from top to bottom row, left to right): Professor Faisal N. Abu-Khzam, Professor Dumitru I. Baleanu, Lecturer Marc Fakhoury, Professor Seifedine Nimer Kadry, Associate Professor Khaleel W. Mershad, Professor Azzam Mourad, Assistant Professor Sahar Obeid, and Assistant Professor Zulqurnain Sabir.

School of Engineering (5) (from left to right): Professor and LAU President Chaouki Tanios Abdallah, Professor Chadi Abou-Rjeily, Professor and Dean Michel Elkhoury, Professor Wassim F. Habchi, and Professor and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Samer S. Saab.

Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine (4) (from left to right): Clinical Professor Eddie K. Abdalla, Professor Michel E. Mawad, Professor Andre Megarbane, and Clinical Professor K. Cesar Yammine.

School of Pharmacy (1): Associate Professor Mohammed Maher Mehanna.

For more information on LAU’s research programs, please visit: https://www.lau.edu.lb/research/