The National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) held its seventh Research Excellence Award ceremony and honored two AUB professors out of six innovative scientists based on their research in various scientific fields. The ceremony was held at the Grand Serail under the patronage of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, represented by the Minister of Education and Higher Education Marwan Hamadeh.
Distinguished members of the society attended the ceremony, which took place on Thursday, July 20, 2017. They included MP Khalid Zahraman, Head of Central Inspection George Attieh, General Director of the Ministry of Justice Judge Maysam Al Nuwairi, Chairman of the National Council for Scientific Research, Dr. Georges Tohme, Secretary General of the Council Dr. Mouin Hamza, President of the American University of Beirut, Dr. Fadlo Khuri and a crowd of university presidents, general directors, and representatives of university bodies, in addition to respected researchers.
The Council selected Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research, Director of Abu-Haidar Neuroscience Institute (AHNI), and Director of Nehme and Therese Tohme Multiple Sclerosis Center at AUB, Dr. Samia Khoury, as the recipient of the Medical, Biological, and Public Health Sciences Award. Associate Dean of AUB’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and AUB Professor of Physics, Dr. Malek Tabbal, was honored with the Engineering and Basic Sciences Award.
Dr. Samia Khoury received the Medical, Biological, and Public Health Sciences Award in recognition for her fundamental contribution in understanding the mechanisms of regulation/tolerance in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). One of the few truly translational scientists in the field of autoimmunity and multiple sclerosis, Dr. Khoury has made significant contributions in the study of peripheral immune responses in MS patients and their correlation with clinical and radiologic evidence of disease activity and has published several papers in this area of research. She is recognized as a world leader in MS, and has trained tens of investigators who are now active leaders in MS and Immunology research. In addition to performing clinically relevant bench research, she has initiated and conducted clinical trials and is clinically active. Her interest in translating her work in animal models to human studies, led her to develop several clinical trials for multiple sclerosis.
Dr. Malek Tabbal was recognized for his tremendous achievements in understanding the physio-chemical properties of innovative materials using advanced techniques in laser and plasma. Dr. Malek is a pioneer in the design and development of synthetic materials, has been teaching at AUB since 1997, and served as Chair of the Department of Physics, before serving for the last eight years as Associate Dean in FAS. He also serves as Director of two of AUB’s largest scholarship partnerships, with USAID and the Al Ghurair Foundation.
President of the American University of Beirut Dr. Fadlo Khuri affirmed the role of the American University of Beirut in achieving scientific excellence in Lebanon and the region. He said that the continuous pursuit of excellence and the new knowledge help Lebanon invest in its natural as well as human resources in order to promote a sustainable knowledge economy. He said, “Samia and Malek are shining examples of the enduring impact of AUB on the excellence that we aspire to as we strive for a better future for all the citizens of Lebanon and the Arab World.”
Minister Marwan Hamadeh congratulated the honored researchers for their success and innovation. “This seventh Research Excellence Award, set to the highest international academic standards, stands as the most elite annual academic research prize and as proof that despite any rising tensions within or without our borders, we thrive with distinctions in every field and remain leaders of thought, culture, and humanity.”
Dr. Mouin Hamzeh, Secretary General of CNRS, praised the important academic partnerships the Council has with research universities in Lebanon. “We thank our partner universities that work hand-in-hand with us in our initiatives to develop research and academic life in Lebanon,” he said. “We appreciate their trust, and we renew our commitment to respect the highest degrees of transparency, objectivity, credibility, and sustainability in our collaboration,” he added.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Council for Scientific Research, Dr. Georges Tohme, pointed out that “the standards adopted for excellence are purely scientific and international, and there is no interference to impose any kind of sectarian, party, or sectarian. The National Council for Scientific Research has been and remains one of the most conservative independent of its scientific and regulatory recommendations,” he stressed.
The National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) is a governmental organization which supports research projects that have a direct impact on the productive sectors, the environment, public health and socio economic development in accordance with its set national research priorities. The CNRS promotes research and related activities in Lebanon and maintains research centers, funds research projects, sponsors various task forces, and is engaged in continuous scientific programs.