Professor of Food Science and Technology Hussein Hassan has long been a prolific member of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS), driving topical research and spearheading local and regional initiatives in the field, particularly in food safety.

In addition to his role as an educator, he has taken on several other important responsibilities within the university, bringing his drive and energy to the positions of director of Academic Compliance in the Provost’s Office and academic director of the Middle East Partnership Initiative-Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program.

It is therefore no surprise that his tireless involvement at both the national and international levels has recently been recognized by the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), a leading global organization dedicated to advancing food safety.

Dr. Hassan was selected as one of three recipients of the IAFP’s 2026 Travel Award for Food Safety Professionals in a Country with a Developing Economy. The award helps major contributors to the field from developing nations attend the organization’s annual meeting, held this year in New Orleans, USA.

Dr. Hassan took to the stage during the event to accept the award, which recognized his efforts to advance food safety in Lebanon and the Arab region. He described the experience as “a tremendous honor,”  explaining how conducting research in Lebanon “comes with many challenges, making this recognition especially meaningful. It demonstrates that high-quality, impactful research can emerge from Lebanon and the region despite these obstacles.”

Dr. Hassan said the recognition has motivated him to continue contributing to evidence-based policies, strengthening food safety and security systems, and mentoring the next generation of researchers and professionals. He also hopes it will highlight Lebanon’s scientific potential and encourage greater investment in research and innovation.

The event also provided Dr. Hassan with an opportunity to network with leading food safety professionals, researchers, regulators, and industry representatives from around the world.

“It allowed me to share the challenges and achievements of food safety research in Lebanon and the region while learning from international experiences and best practices,” he said.

The experience will directly strengthen his research at LAU by fostering international collaborations, facilitating knowledge exchange, and creating opportunities for joint research projects in food safety. Dr. Hassan thanked the university for its “unwavering support, commitment to research excellence, and collaborative environment,” which, he said, have enabled him to pursue impactful research over the past 14 years.