Meet Mona, our incredible QSS Alumni who's making waves in the food industry!
With a Master's degree in Food Technology and a Bachelor's degree in Food Science and Management from the American University of Beirut, she's a true expert in her field. 

For the past 10 years, Mona has honed her skills in the food safety and training field, leaving an indelible mark on every role she’s held. Previously, she served as the Head of the Food Safety Department at a reputable hospital, ensuring the well-being of countless individuals.

Following her move to Dubai, Mona took on the role of a Food Safety Consultant and Approved Trainer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, sharing her expertise and empowering others in the industry.

Currently serving as the Food Safety Manager at Lavoya Restaurants Group, overseas branches in UAE, KSA, and Qatar, ensuring top-notch food safety standards. 

Mona's outstanding contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed. Recently, she was honored with the prestigious 'Food Safety Champion' Award from Dubai Municipality at the 17th Dubai International Food Safety Conference, the largest conference in the region. 

From Al Qualaa Secondary School to a Scientist at Hoffmann La Roche in Switzerland, Farah Raad’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary! 

 Graduating with a Bachelor's in Chemistry from AUB, she published 2 papers during her time as an undergraduate research assistant. (Link1: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/ret.../pii/S0040402010003170, Link 2: https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S0040402014016226... )

 Receiving funding for an internship at the University of Windsor in Canada led to 2 more publications. (Link3: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893149, Link 4: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ol303375x )

 Fully funded, she earned her Master's in Nanomolecular Science from Jacobs University Bremen. (Link 5: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ic201652h)

 Her Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from Georg-August University Göttingen, defended with suma cum laude, focused on bioengineering human heart muscle from stem cells. (Links 6: https://doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.202100222, Link 7: https://doi.org/10.1161/circulationaha.116.024145 , Link 8: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2016.00033 ,Link 9: https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.121971 )

In 2020, she transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, joining Boehringer Ingelheim as a researcher in their German headquarters. Her expertise in exploring kidney biology and function proved instrumental in advancing the understanding and development of innovative treatments.

 Now a Scientist at Hoffmann La Roche in Basel Switzerland, she contributes to the safety assessment of drugs before clinical trials. 

Her incredible journey is a testament to her dedication and passion for science. Congratulations on all your achievements! 

Celebrating Mahmoud El Jaouni's Achievements 

We are thrilled to highlight the accomplishments of our remarkable alumnus Mahmoud El Jaouni. Since graduating from QSS, Mahmoud has made great strides in academia and research.

With a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from the American University of Beirut, Mahmoud has been able to utilize his passion for science and research, leading him to the path of success. For eight years, he has dedicated himself to nurturing young minds as a science laboratory technologist at the International College (IC) in Beirut.

Driven by his love for knowledge, Mahmoud pursued a Master's Degree in Epidemiology, further expanding his expertise. As a researcher and biostatistician, he has contributed to significant data analysis projects in the field of public health.

We are proud to acknowledge Mahmoud's notable achievement - the publication of a research article titled "The Effect of Workplace Bullying on Fatigue in School Teachers: The Moderating Roles of Gender and Spirituality.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37851853
His dedication and contributions have made a lasting impact on the field.

Congratulations, Mahmoud, on your outstanding achievements! Your journey is an inspiration to us all.

Meet Dr. Mazen, a remarkable alumnus of QSS! We take immense pride in his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the field of medicine and education. 

Dr. Mazen is a highly skilled medical doctor, specialized in obstetrics and gynecology, with a master’s degree in human reproduction from the prestigious Universidad de Alicante, Spain. He began his medical journey at the American University of Beirut, after graduating in general medicine. Prior to his specialization, he gained valuable experience in pediatrics.

Having excelled in his field, Dr.Mazen served as the acting CEO of Fakih hospital and later assumed the role of medical director at Taakhi Medical Centers. During his tenure, he successfully inaugurated a new center in Ain Baal, South Lebanon, further expanding access to quality healthcare.

Currently, Dr. Mazen operates his private clinic, where he continues to provide exceptional care to his patients. Additionally, he is actively involved in academia as a clinical instructor, imparting his knowledge to Medical Lab, Pharmacy, and nutrition students at the Lebanese International University. He also teaches a master’s course in bioinformatics, further contributing to the advancement of medical education.

Dr. Mazen is a passionate researcher, consistently engaged in biomedical research to push the boundaries of medical knowledge and improve patient outcomes.

Dr.Mazen also served as a board member of the Resident Staff Organization and was honored as a member of the Resident Staff Quality Council at AUBMC.

Dr. Mazen’s journey is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and commitment to making a positive impact through healthcare and education. We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and grateful for his continued contributions to society. Congratulations, Dr. Mazen! 

QSS proudly presents Dr. Bassel Daher who is a distinguished alumnus known for his plethora of remarkable achievements and contributions to the field of research and sustainability.
Dr. Daher is currently a Research Scientist at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, and Research Fellow at the Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Texas A&M University.

 Education:
- Ph.D. in Water Management and Hydrological Sciences from Texas A&M University
- M.Sc. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University
- B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the American University of Beirut

 Passion and Focus:
- Building bridges between research disciplines and stakeholders
- Working towards a sustainable, equitable, and resource secure future
- Using a systems approach to address water, energy, and food security challenges
- Advocating for participatory approaches and policy coherence for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

 Professional Experience:
- 12+ years of experience in quantitative scenario analysis tools
- Published 55+ highly cited research papers and reports
- Consulted for organizations like UN FAO, UN DRR, GIZ, and more
- Experienced speaker and moderator at international events
- Facilitator of multi-stakeholder engagement workshops

 Achievements:
- Received the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Departmental Excellence Award for Outstanding Research in 2019
- Honored with the 50th Anniversary Special Award from the International Water Resources Association in 2022
- Serves on the Executive Board of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA)
- Former co-chair of the Zero Hunger Pathways Project of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

Follow Dr. Bassel Daher’s inspiring journey as he contributes to sustainable resource management and collective action for a better world! basseldaher.com 

Join us in celebrating the incredible achievements of our esteemed alumna, Rima Akoum!  Her journey is truly inspiring, and we're immensely proud to share her remarkable accomplishments.

Starting from her high school education at QSS, Rima laid the foundation for her success. She then pursued a BBA degree at AUB and a "Licence en droit" at the Lebanese University, showcasing her passion for legal studies.

However, Rima didn't stop there. She continued to excel, earning a Master’s Degree in Business Law from the Lebanese University and an MBA from LAU. Her commitment to learning and excellence drove her forward.

Rima's dedication led her to outstanding professional opportunities. She worked with the International Criminal Court and the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, contributing to the pursuit of justice.

Not only has Rima excelled in her career, but she has also made notable contributions to the legal field through her writing. Her book, "The Role of Lebanese Judiciary in Arbitration," demonstrates her deep understanding of the subject.

Currently, Rima serves as a Judge in South Lebanon-Sidon, upholding justice and sharing her expertise as an instructor in Business Law at AUB. She has also taught at other esteemed institutions.

Despite her achievements, Rima continues to push boundaries. She is currently pursuing a PhD in criminal law, focusing on Juvenile Justice. We eagerly await her valuable insights.

Let's honor Rima Akoum for her outstanding achievements, unwavering dedication, and positive impact in the legal field and beyond. She is a shining example of determination and excellence.

Dr. Nassar's journey in medicine began at the prestigious American University of Beirut, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. His passion for surgery led him to excel in General Surgery at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, where he served as the Executive Chief Resident. Notably, he was honored with the esteemed "Dr. Herbert Nassour Surgery Residency Award" for his outstanding performance as the best graduating surgical resident and also clinched the top spot for his project in the Fellowship and Residency Research Program.

Dr. Nassar's dedication to advancing surgical knowledge is evident through his extensive publication record, with over 25 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters to his credit.

We are immensely proud to call Dr. Hussein Ali Nassar one of our own and celebrate his remarkable achievements!