From tackling antibiotic resistance and improving surgical techniques to studying the effects of air pollution and physician fatigue, residents and fellows at the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine brought pressing healthcare challenges into focus at the Sixth Annual Graduate Medical Education (GME) Research Day, held on May 7 at the LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital.

Bringing together trainees, faculty members, researchers, and clinicians from across specialties, the event reflected the institution’s growing commitment to advancing scientific inquiry and translating research into meaningful clinical impact.

“We remain proud of our graduates for choosing research topics relevant to Lebanon, as well as of our faculty’s continued commitment to mentorship despite the many challenges the nation has faced,” said Clinical Assistant Professor and Head of the GME Research Committee Abdo Saad.

“What is striking about today’s research day is the quality of the projects that are being presented,” said Clinical Professor and Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education Rajaa Chatila. “Several of these have made it to impactful journals. This means that we are adding to the literature; we are no longer on the receiving end alone but on the giving end too.”

In her opening remarks, Dr. Chatila reflected on the evolution of the event, which was first launched virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the many challenges and crises that have marked the years since, she noted, the research day has continued to grow in rigor and scope, steadily raising the standards for participation and scientific quality.

This year, more than 55 projects were submitted for consideration, with only 18 selected for presentation after a rigorous review process based on originality, methodology, ethical compliance, and scientific merit. Presenters were assessed using a standardized scoring system that evaluated not only the strength of the research methodology, conclusions, and discussion, but also delivery, slide quality, and proficiency in addressing the jury’s questions.

Throughout the sessions, presenters engaged in lively scientific discussions with faculty and jury members, who challenged them to think critically about the broader implications of their findings and the direction of their work in the spirit of inquiry and mentorship that defines graduate medical education at LAU.

Following the jury deliberations, Dr. Youssef Jamaleddine, a post-graduate year (PGY) IV orthopedic surgery resident, took first place for his research exploring safer and more effective techniques in hip replacement and minimally invasive spinal surgery. Dr. Jamaleddine also received the Highest Prolific Research Output Award after submitting 21 research projects this year, 18 of which were original studies.

Second place went to Dr. Mohammad Hamzah, a PGY I general surgery resident, for his presentations on treatments for inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms—enlargements of the body’s main artery that can become life-threatening if left untreated—as well as the effects of air pollution on cardiovascular health.

Third place was jointly awarded to Dr. Elie Charro, a PGY II pediatrics resident, for his study on how parental motivation and knowledge shape children’s healthy eating habits, and Dr. Rana Attieh, a gastroenterology fellow, whose multicenter research examines antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Lebanon and the growing challenges they present to healthcare systems.