The Office of the Associate Dean for Clinical Research and the Clinical Research Institute (CRI) at the Faculty of Medicine (FM) held the Eleventh Annual Clinical Research Open House. The event extended over 2 days, on May 28 and May 29, 2024, with a total of 94 oral presentation sessions.
Sixty-two graduating residents, 12 clinical fellows, 2 post-doctoral fellows, 17 research fellows, and 7 medical students had the opportunity to present their work. A total of 46 judges were divided into panels of 3-4 faculty members for each session to evaluate the presentations and provide feedback to participants.
The event concluded with an award ceremony which started with opening remarks from Dr. Fadlo Khuri, the president of AUB, Dr. Raymond Sawaya, VP/dean of the Faculty of Medicine at AUB, Dr. Elie Akl, the associate dean for clinical research, and Dr. Marlene Chakhtoura, the director of the CRI, followed by an overview on each participating program, presented by the respective program director.
During his speech, President Khuri emphasized the importance of research at AUB, stating, "At AUB, we take tremendous pride in the vibrant and dynamic research environment that enhances the educational experience and serves the wider communities. It's a tremendous asset to have a Clinical Research Institute."
Dean Sawaya shared the FM excitement about the event, noting, "It was a joy to witness this show of strength by our trainees who proudly displayed the results of their research while competing for the awards offered to the most meritorious of them. By facilitating this open house, our Clinical Research Institute is assuring a vibrant culture of discovery and innovation.”
Dr. Akl highlighted the efforts that Office of the Associate Dean for Clinical Research and the CRI’s are making to build collaborations, saying, "Our recent collaborative research initiatives within and outside the university are positioning AUB to be a leader in Lebanon, the region, and beyond. This gives us the power to convene key stakeholders and work with them to advance our research mission."
Dr. Chakhtoura added, "The Clinical Research Open House has become a yearly tradition to celebrate the research achievements of our students, residents, and fellows. Throughout the academic year, the Clinical Research Institute offers, through its dedicated units, training opportunities for all levels, and supports researchers to plan and conduct their projects."
The CRI presented an appreciation award to Dr. Fuad Ziyadeh for his invaluable support for clinical research at the Faculty of Medicine at AUB, and his generous contributions to CRI programs and activities in general, and to the Fellowship and Residency Research Program (FRRP) in particular.
The ceremony concluded by the distribution of awards to top scoring participants in each program and appreciation awards to faculty contributing to CRI programs. In addition to programs awards, this year's event featured awards from the Diana Tamari Sabbagh Scholars Program (DTSSP). The DTSSP aims to promote excellence by enhancing the education and expertise of healthcare and health-related professionals through support of specialized training at AUB or abroad. Three DTSSP awards were distributed, recognizing three top-scoring participants: one student, one clinical resident, and one research fellow.
Congratulations to all awardees!
Diana Tamari Sabbagh Scholars Program (DTSSP) awards for top presentations:- Dr. Vanessa Helou, medical student, enrolled in the Scholarly Concentration Track (SCT). Advisor: Dr. Elie Akl “Conflict of interest and funding in health communication on social media: a systematic review”.
- Dr. Hala Itani, resident at the department of Psychiatry, enrolled in the Fellowship and Residency Research Program. Advisor: Dr. Elias Ghossoub “Validation of the levenson self-report psychopathy (lsrp) scale in the non-institutionalized lebanese population”
- Dr. Tasnim Diab, research fellow at the department of internal medicine, enrolled in the Research Personnel Program (RPP). Advisor: Dr. Hazem Assi “From diagnosis to decision: factors influencing choices between unilateral and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy”.
Programs awards for top presentations:
Scholarly Concentration Track (SCT)
- Dr. Anthony Yazbeck, medical student. Advisor: Dr. Nathalie Khoueiry-Zgheib “Polygenic risk score of candidate genetic polymorphisms predicts covid-19 severity”.
- Dr. Mahdi Anani, medical student. Advisor: Dr. Dr. Fouad Zouein “The differential impact of angiotensin antagonists on basal inflammation in heart failure patients”.
Research Personnel Program (RPP) and the Post-Doctoral Program
- Dr. Noura Fadi Abbas- research fellow at the department of internal medicine – Mentor: Dr. Ali Shamseddine “Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition: an emerging prognostic tool in resectable pancreatic cancer, a retrospective study”.
- Dr. Mahdi Hassoun – research fellow at the department of ophthalmology – Mentor: Dr. Rola Hamam & Dr. Bahaa Noureddine “Intravitreal adalimumab versus subcutaneous adalimumab for the treatment of active non-infectious uveitis: a randomized non-inferiority trial”.
- Dr. Sarah Mantash – post-doctoral research fellow at the department of experimental pathology, immunology, and microbiology – Mentor: Dr. Margret Shirinian “Impact of H3.3 G34 and K36M oncogenes on pediatric tumors.”
Fellowship and Residency Research Program (FRRP) Fellowship and Residency Research Program
FRRP residents’ winning presentations from each department:
- Dr. Maya Maaliki – Anesthesiology - Advisor: Dr. Fatima Msheik “Development and validation of the observable teaching behaviors rating (OTBR) scale: a novel formative anesthesiology faculty evaluation tool”.
- Dr. Marc Chammas - Dentofacial Medicine – Advisor: Dr. Joseph Ghafari “Inheritance pattern of oligo-hypo-hyperdontia in Eastern Mediterranean families”.
- Dr. Serena Saade – Dermatology – Advisor: Dr. Dana Saade “The diagnostic accuracy of skin diseases via teledermatology - a single center study”.
- Dr. Diamond Ghieh – Diagnostic Radiology – Advisor: Dr. Alain Abi Ghanem “Bowel wall thickening on computed tomography scan: inter-observer agreement and correlation with endoscopic findings”.
- Dr. Victoria Al Karaki – Emergency Medicine – Advisor: Dr. Mazen El Sayed “Predictors of early blood transfusion in adult patients with gunshot injuries in trauma centers in the United States”.
- Dr. Khaled El Khatib & Abed El Rahman Al Rifai – Family Medicine – Advisor: Dr. Maya Romani “Tobacco cessation counseling during hospital outpatient visits, a comparative study between smoking-related and non-smoking related diseases specialty clinic”.
- Dr. Mona Dagher & Dr. Wael Koleilat – Family Medicine – Advisor: Dr. Nisrine Makarem “The effect of workplace bullying on burnout among Lebanese nurses: the moderating roles of workplace spirituality and leadership”.
- Dr. Najlaa Hamadeh - Internal Medicine – Advisor: Dr. Kassem Barada “Overt gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cancer: clinical characteristics and outcomes”.
- Dr. Maya Dagher & Dr. Hiba Dirawi - Internal Medicine – Advisor: Dr. Zeina Kanafani “Risk factors and outcomes of device-associated infections in covid-19 patients: a comparative icu study”.
- Dr. Sola Alghazal - Neurology – Advisor: Dr. Nabil El Ayoubi “The use of upper cervical spinal cord area (ucca) as a diagnostic biomarker of conversion into secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (spms)”.
- Dr. Lara Nahouli - Obstetrics and Gynecology – Advisor: Dr. Ghina Ghazeeri “Chromosomal microarray (CMA) and cell-free maternal serum DNA for the diagnosis of genetic aneuploidy in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL): a systemic review”.
- Dr. Hanadi Ibrahim – Ophthalmology – Advisor: Dr. Ziad Bashour “Intra-operative complications during cataract surgery in patients with prior intravitreal injections - a single-centered prospective cohort study”.
- Dr. Rayan Hafez - Pathology and Laboratory Medicine – Advisor: Dr. Rami Mahfouz “Comparison of the cobas and idylla systems for rapid EFGR gene mutation screening on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections”.
- Dr. Arabia Badih - Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine – Advisor: Dr. Ghassan Dbaibo “Parental perceptions, acceptance, or hesitancy regarding covid-19 vaccination of their children in Lebanon”.
- · Dr. Karine Kahil – Psychiatry – Advisor: Dr. Marc Barakat “Cognitive changes and emotional distress following covid-19 infection in adults in Lebanon: a descriptive and correlational study”.
- Dr. Adnan El-Achkar – Surgery- Advisor: Dr. Mohamad Bulbul “MRI/US fusion transperineal versus transrectal biopsy of prostate cancer: outcomes and complication rates, a tertiary medical center experience in the middle east” .
FRRP fellows’ winning presentations from each department
- Dr. Mohamad Fleifel – Internal Medicine - Advisor: Dr. Asma Arabi “The role of serum calcifediol in metabolic syndrome among Lebanese adults: a longitudinal cohort” .
- Dr. Zeinab El Zein – Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine - Advisor: Dr. Ghassan Dbaibo “Epidemiology and characteristics of urinary tract infections in children and adolescents”.
Best research proposals that were developed under the Faculty Advancement Program (FAP):
- 1st Prize: Dr. Rakan Nasser Eldine- Surgery – Mentor: Dr. Rami Mahfouz “Machine Learning Approach to Identify Genetic Factors Associated with Peripheral Artery Disease Progression to Critical Limb-Threatening Ischemia in Lebanon.”
- 2nd Prize: Dr. Bassem Tanios- Internal Medicine – Mentor: Dr. Martine Elbejjani “Safety and effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in patients with end-stage renal disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”
- 3rd Prize: Dr. Firas Kreidieh- Internal Medicine – Mentor: Dr. Martine Elbejjani “Determining through a self-Evaluation Survey the Perception and Awareness of Cancer Immunotherapy among healthcare Professionals and students (DESPACITO): Experience of a tertiary referral hospital in Lebanon.”
- 3rd Prize: Dr. Laith Haddad- Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine – Mentor: Dr. Mona Nabulsi “Depression and anxiety among adolescents with epilepsy in Lebanon. A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center.”
Appreciation awards were distributed to:
- Dr. Farid Talih, FRRP faculty representative, Psychiatry department, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Fellowship and Residency Research Program (FRRP).
- Dr. Mohamad Issam Khatib, FRRP representative, Anesthesiology, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Fellowship and Residency Research Program (FRRP).
- Dr. Mona Nabulsi, FAP mentor, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, in recognition of her outstanding contribution as an advisor in the Faculty Advancement Program (FAP).
- Dr. Rami Mahfouz, FAP mentor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, in recognition of his outstanding contribution as an advisor in the Faculty Advancement Program (FAP).
- Dr. Nada Assaf, RPP contributing faculty, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Research Personnel Program and the Postdoctoral Program (RPP).
- Ms. Aya Hammoud, the Coordinator of the FRRP & CRU, Clinical Research Institute, in recognition of her outstanding coordination of the Fellowship and Residency Research Program (FRRP).