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News Archive
Dr. Haddadin honored on the occasion of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC)
Veteran Professor Makhlouf Haddadin was honored by the Chemistry Department on his 75th birthday. The celebration came from within the large scale Organic Chemistry competition organized by the Department on the occasion of IYC 2011. The United Nations had designated 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011), in recognition of the achievements of the Science and its contributions to the well-being of mankind. Dr. Haddadin was dumbstruck by the unexpected honorary devotion planned for him. President Peter Dorman praised the distinguished landmarks and great contributions that marked Haddadin’s long service to the university. Formerly Vice-President for Academic Affairs (1986-1999), Chairman of Chemistry for 10 years, Acting Dean of FAS and FHS, University Parliamentarian, professor Haddadin vividly continues his devotion journey to teaching, research and valuable advice to his junior faculty colleagues (whose majority were his former students!). The “Beirut Reaction” invention, which culminated in registering 45 patents in 25 countries, crowns the achievements of professor Haddadin in scientific research. The said reaction, discovered in collaboration with late Emeritus Professor Costas Issidorides in 1965, was used by the renowned drug company Pfizer to make a commercial drug which it named Mecadox (marketed as Carbadox), a highly successful antibacterial agent used in animal feed. President Dorman presented to Dr. Haddadin the “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his achievements and outstanding contributions to AUB and the scientific community. Dr. Haddadin thanked President Dorman, Chairman Mazen Al-Ghoul and professor Bilal Kaafarani who supervised the organization of the entire competition and IYC 2011 events. Haddadin ended his speech with the acclamation “long live Lebanon and long live AUB”. Two giant cakes were then cut, honoring Haddadin’s 75th birthday and the IYC 2011. The Chemistry Department has also launched a campaign to raise funds to establish the Makhlouf Haddadin Endowment. Part of the proceeds from the Makhlouf Haddadin Endowment will be used to grant two annual cash prizes: the Makhlouf Haddadin Award for Outstanding Chemistry Undergraduate Student and the Makhlouf Haddadin Award for Outstanding Chemistry Graduate Student. In addition, a lectureship in the name of Prof. Haddadin will be established.
  
Professor Makhlouf Lifetime Achievement Award President Dorman presenting the award to Dr. Haddadin
Haddadin
 
Participants and distinguished audience in the IYC 2011 Organic Chemistry Competition
>Watch Video
Leen Kalash wins the best poster award at Beirut Conference
Miss Leen Kalash, Chemistry graduate student, received the “Alain Belcourt” award for the best poster in the Conference on Innovative Materials and Applications (CIMA 2011), which was held in Beirut from March 15 to 17, 2011. The conference had more than 150 participants, mostly from outside Lebanon, including Europe, North America, and the Arab countries. The poster was entitled “TiO2-Paramagnetic Coated Particles for Site-Specific Homing and Photodynamic Therapy”. The work was co-authored by Profs. Kamal Bouhadir, Tarrek Ghaddar and Marwan El-Sabban, Post-Doc Najeeb Halabi, and RA-s Mayyasa Rammah and Farah Dandashi. Congratulations!
International Year of Chemistry
The Chemistry Department at AUB is pleased to announce the First Undergraduate Organic Competition in celebration of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC2011). This great activity is co-sponsored by UNESCO and IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry), and will take on Monday February 7, 2011, in the Samir Zaabri Science Lecture Hall. The competing teams will answer the contest questions by using clickers programmed according to seat numbers, with the “Fastest Responders” tool. After registration for the contest was closed, 45 teams had registered, from AUB, the Lebanese University, Beirut Arab University, the University of Balamand, Notre Dame University, and Hariri Canadian University.
A rehearsal/demo session for the competition will take place on Saturday, January 15 at noon in the Science Lecture Hall.
  
Emeritus Professor Costas Issidorides dies at 90
The Chemistry Department lost one of its most distinguished members, Emeritus Professor Constantine Issidorides. Professor Issidorides passed away on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at his home in Woodland, California, USA. He would have been 90 years of age, on December 15th, 2010. He is considered to be the founder of modern research in Organic Chemistry at AUB, as he published research results in prestigious international journals such as the Journal of the American Chemical Society and the Journal of Organic Chemistry.
Professor Issidorides is the co-inventor (with Professor Makhlouf Haddadin) of the Beirut Reaction, named in honor of the city in which it was invented. This important reaction proved to be of great medicinal use as thousands of heterocyclic anti-bacterial compounds can easily be made through it, such as the commercially trade names of Mecadox and Carbadox. Recently, Tirapazamine, a drug in its third stage of clinical testing as an anti-cancer drug (for the neck and head), is reported to be made by the Beirut reaction as well. The manufacturing and sales of these drugs by Pfizer corporation (the largest drug company in the World) yielded substantial royalties for AUB and Research Corporation Technologies of Tucson, Arizona, USA.
The internationally renowned Professors of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, Clayton H. Heathcock and Andrew Streitwieser Jr. stated in their second edition of their voluminous book Introduction to Organic Chemistry : ”A special debt of thanks is due to Professor Costas H. Issidorides, American University of Beirut, who critically evaluated the entire 1200 pages of the second edition and made hundreds of useful suggestions, many of which have been incorporated in the edition”.
Upon his retirement from AUB in 1986, the Lebanese Ministry of Education, in recognition of his outstanding services, decorated Professor Issidorides with a pure gold medal (first rank), the back of which was engraved, in Arabic fine font, with the wise saying: ”Open a school you close a jail”, which Professor Issidorides cherished fondly.
Professor Issidorides shall be greatly missed by AUB, the scientific community worldwide, and by all those who knew him.
Dr. Saliba receives research award from Nissan-Rymco and Bank Audi
Dr. Najat Saliba received a generous donation from Nissan-Rymco and Bank Audi, who sponsored a research project for the measurement of particulate matters during traffic. This is the first project of its kind in the region, and probably one of the few ones in the world. The venue is a moving van donated by Nissan. The entire award, initiated and finalized by the office of Development with the help of Mrs Salma Oueida, amounts to 103,000 USD in addition to the van. The particulate matter sampler was designed by a group in Germany (GRIMM company) to measure 15 different sizes of particulate matters during traffic. The Nissan-donated vehicle will be driven through traffic, while measuring emitted particles. This will give a clear indication of how much people, who are stuck in traffic for hours, are actually exposed to harmful particles.
Dr. Saliba is no doubt the only atmospheric chemist in the Arab world who is involved in air and atmospheric pollution research. This award stresses the leading role of our Department in such research in this part of the world. Dr. Saliba held a press conference on Thursday December 9th at 11:30 to launch the project. Congratulations!
Dr. Najat Saliba and Collaborators awarded E 6,000,000
IBSAR at AUB is a partner in an international consortium for marine biodiversity
THE MAREX PROJECT: exploring marine resources for bioactive compounds - from discovery to sustainable production and industrial applications
In the spring of 2008 a group of scientists from Finland and IBSAR members of AUB initiated discussions in Beirut to establish joint research projects rooted in Biodiversity. The evolution of these efforts resulted in a more comprehensive project both inscope and partnership. A consortium of 19 partners from industry and academia met in Leuven, Belgium in 2009 and planned for the preparation of a winning proposal to the EU's FP7 Call (collaborative project, large scale integrating project). Drs. Najat A. Saliba and Marwan E. El-Sabban attended the kickoff meeting held in Helsinki, Finland in early October 2010 that ushered this Euro 6,000,000 project (distributed among the partners over four years) into the realm of implementation. This project asserts AUB's leadership position as both regional and international partner in issues related to Biodiversity. Several members of IBSAR, with diverse expertise, will now engage in extraction, bio-fractionation and screening for important biological activities and industrial applications from marine organisms both from local sources and from other partners across the globe.
Abstract: Through close co-operation between industrial and academic partners, the EU FP7 MAREX project will collect, isolate and classify marine organisms, such as micro- and macroalgae, cyanobacteria, sea anemones, tunicates and fish from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans as well as from the Mediterranean, Baltic and Arabian Seas. MAREX project is a joint effort of 19 academic, research institute, and industrial partners from 13 countries (Belgium, Chile, Finland, France, India, Italy, Lebanon, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and UK). Extracts of marine organisms will be studied for several therapeutically and industrially significant biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticoagulant activities by applying a wide variety of screening tools, as well as for ion channel/receptor modulation and plant growth regulation. Furthermore, chromatographic isolation of bioactive compounds will be followed by structural determination. Sustainable cultivation methods for promising organisms, and biotechnological processes for selected bioactive compounds will be developed, as well as biosensors for monitoring the production of target compounds and food quality. The work will entail sustainable organic synthesis of selected active compounds and new derivatives, and development of selected hits to lead compounds. The project will in addition expand the chemical diversity of marine compound libraries. Attention will be paid to evaluate the overall feasibility of MAREX innovations for industrial product development in order to improve the sustainability and productivity of European marine biotechnology. Key issues of MAREX include better understanding of environmentally conscious sourcing ofbiotechnology products from the oceans, and increasing public awareness of marine biodiversity and potential. Finally, MAREX aims to offer novel marine-based lead compounds for European industry to strengthen their product portfolios related to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, agrochemical, material and biosensor applications.
Dr. Al-Ghoul and collaborators receive a one million dollar grant
Dr. Mazen Al-Ghoul (Chair and Professor of Chemistry) was awarded a research grant of $ 1 million from the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), under the National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) for a proposal entitled: "From Fundamental Understanding to Predictive Design of Layered Nanomaterials”. The project is in collaboration with Peter Coveney from University College London (UCL) and Mahmoud Khader from Qatar University, and consists of two parts: experimental and theoretical. The experimental part focuses on layered double hydroxides and hydrotalcites. The theoretical part consists of applying hybrid (quantum mechanical-molecular dynamics-fluid dynamics) methods to understand the mechanism of formation and transformation of layered materials, and predict their rheological and transport properties. The proposal was endorsed by the Office of the Prime Minister of Lebanon, and by UNDP for the implications of the proposed research in unraveling the properties of clay material especially during oil drilling operations. Congratulations!
Dr. Najat Saliba appointed Director of the Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures
Dr. Najat Saliba, associate professor of Chemistry, has been lately appointed as Director of the Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures.
The Center, in conjunction with the IBSAR Organization (www.ibsar.org), is an interfaculty center created by a bottom up approach where a group of faculty members believe that optimization of basic science studies is achieved when it is used to benefit society. The Research component deals with laboratory research in related fields, while the Outreach brings grassroots and conservation-related activities that reach out to the general public. IBSAR has produced a series of publications catering the scientific community as well as school children, farmers, urban dwellers, and rural communities. Currently, IBSAR disseminates information through bilingual (English/Arabic) books, brochures, pamphlets, videos, animations, website, and many other promotional materials. Congratulations!
2010 Chemistry Distinction Students
Miss Pamela Nasr received her B.Sc. in Chemistry with High Distinction. Miss Dina Abou El-Ezz, Miss Hala Abou Assi and Mr. Gabriel Dunia received their B.Sc. with Distinction. Congratulations!
  
Pamela Nasr Dina Abou El-Ezz Hala Abou Assi
Dr. Bilal Kaafarani on IUPAC
UNESCO announced 2011 to be the International Year of Chemistry, IYC2011, in partnership with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Dr. Bilal R. Kaafarani was selected by IUPAC to be the 2011 International Year of Chemistry representative in Lebanon. Dr. Kaafarani will coordinate the activities at AUB, and in Lebanon as a whole, in celebration of the achievements of Chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of mankind.
Chemistry celebrates new book by Prof. Al-Ghoul
The Chemistry Department organized a lively festivity on Friday April 23, 2010 at the Chemistry hall entrance, to celebrate the publication of Professor Mazen Al-Ghoul’s new book: CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS with Examples for Nonequilibrium Processes. The book was co-authored by Professor Byung Chan Eu from McGill University, and published by World Scientific. The gathering was attended by Chemistry and other Science faculty, students and Chemistry staff members, in the distinguished presence of Provost Ahmad Dallal. Professor Makhlouf Haddadin, who addressed the audience, described this event as a major achievement, and a special honor to Chemistry and AUB, especially that this is the first book published by a Chemistry faculty member. Professor Al-Ghoul, who was caught by surprise, thanked the organizers for their thoughtfulness and support. The event was a nice occasion for socialization, with fancy food and drinks.
  
- Prof. Al-Ghoul (right), with Provost Dallal (center) and Prof. Haddadin (left)
- Book cover on top of the cake
- Professor Mazen Al-Ghoul cutting the cake
M.Sc. Chemistry Graduate Kheireddine El-Boubbou wins Student Awards
Kheireddine El-Boubbou (M.Sc., Chemistry, AUB, 2005) won two prestigious awards: 1. the National AICCS (Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Carbohydrate Science) Young Investigator Award; 2. a Predoctoral Fellowship for 2 years from the American Heart Association (AHA). Very recently, Kheir had an article published in the prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), entitled “Magnetic Glyco-Nanoparticles: A Tool to Detect, Differentiate, and Unlock the Glyco-Codes of Cancer via Magnetic Resonance Imaging”. Kheir is currently pursuing his Ph.D. studies at Michigan State University. Congratulations!
Chemistry Student Society Organizes Musical Festivity
The Chemistry Students Society (CSS) organized a reception in the open air near the Chemistry building, which enlivened the lower campus. The activity included food, games, contests (rewarded by food offer prizes), and above all a musical performance by a students’ musical band. Two Chemistry students played in the band: Mohammed El Makkaoui and Naim Saad. Students, professors and guests enjoyed unforgettable moments in that gathering. Provost Ahmad Dallal and Dean Patrick McGreevy of Arts and Sciences were also present. The CSS secretary Hala Abou Assi said that ”many people believe that Chemistry students stay overnight in Jafet and SML and have no time for partying and having fun. So by this event we proved that we can use our chemical skills to interact with students from other majors”.
Chemistry Graduate Pierre Karam Receives Prestigious Students Awards
Pierre Karam, M.Sc. Chemistry graduate (2006) received an award for the best research paper presented at the "16th International Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus and Related Viruses", in October 2009. The meeting is considered the biggest conference on HCV research. Pierre’s abstract was selected among 996 abstracts, as the piece of research with highest impact on the HCV field. The event was covered by the Lebanese media. On another note, in February 2010, Pierre received the “2010 Student Research Achievement Award" from the “54th Biophysical Meeting”. The prize was announced right after the lecture of Professor Roger Tsien (2008 Nobel laureate in Chemistry). Pierre said that this was probably the happiest moment of his life. Pierre Karam is currently a Ph.D. student at McGill University.
Dr. Patra on Junior Faculty Research Leave
Dr. Patra has been awared "Junior Faculty Research Leave" by American University of Beirut for Spring 2010. Currently he is visiting George-August University Goettingen in Germany for a collaborative research project with Prof. Dr Joerg Enderlein in single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. Ensemble averaging out could be easily avoided by applying single molecule spectroscopy, so that more precise and accurate measurement of invididual protein molecule is possible. Through this collaborative research work Dr Patra plan to investigate diffusion of protein molecules such as ion channels in GUVs (Giant Unilammelar Vesicles) in the individual level by applying various single molecule methods. Membranes/vesicles having different sizes are also being prepared to study their viscocity with fluorescent parameters and correlate membrane viscosity with the size of the vesicles by applying single molecule tools. Earlier Dr Patra was invited for a lecture in the National Seminar on "Recent Trends in Chemical Sciences" during Feb 19 - 21, 2010 organized by the School of Chemistry, Sambalpur University where he presented a research paper on "Controlling rotary F1-ATPase with external force at the single molecule level to ascertain the motor mechanism" during his juinor faculty research leave.
Professor Makhluf J. Haddadin elected to prestigious Lebanese Academy of Sciences read more
2009 Chemistry Distinction Students and Awardees
   
Abdallah Abboud - Zeinab Moussa - Amani Hariri - Dina Abou El-Ezz
The students Abdallah Abboud and Zeinab Moussa received their B.Sc. degrees in Chemistry with Distinction. The student Amani Hariri received her B.Sc. degree with High Distinction. Amani Hariri (senior) was awarded the Nicholas Jabr Prize for academic excellence. The student Dina Abou El-Ezz (junior) received the Mahmoud Farra Award for academic excellence. Congratulations!
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Chemistry Professors Receive Research Awards
Drs. Tarek Ghaddar and Bilal Kaafarani
Chemistry Professors Tarek Ghaddar and Bilal Kaafarani received the Munib and Angela Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources Grant (two separate awards). Each grant mounts up to $10,000. Congratulations!
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Chemistry contributes to the Associated Research Units (ARU) launched by AUB and the National Council for Scientific Research read more
Dr. Najat Saliba and collaborators receive generous NCI Grant
 
Drs. Alan Shihadeh, Najat Saliba and Marwan El-Sabban
Dr. Najat Saliba (Chemistry) and two other AUB Professors, Dr. Alan Shihadeh (Mechanical Engineering, team leader) and Dr. Marwan El-Sabban (Human Morphology) were awarded a $1.1 million grant from the US National Cancer Institute. This is part of a joint American University of Beirut-Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) research award to study human exposure to toxicants as a result of nargileh (water pipe) smoking. The project is led by Professors Alan Shihadeh at AUB and Thomas Eissenberg at VCU. The total award mounts up to $2.8 million. Congratulations!
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