EXPLORE THE EARTH, SOCIETY, & WELLBEING PROGRAM
Health and wellbeing are intimately linked with nature conservation as the health of ecosystems is essential for the health of humans (
WHO, 2015). Nature is home to various habitats and species that have healing powers for humans and serve as the basis for medicine, therapy, nutrition, and leisure (
NatureScot, 2024). This can come from scenic views, medicinal compounds, essential oils, and more services. The health of people can only be guaranteed through healthy, natural and sustainable management of ecosystems (
Elkins and Gupta, 2019).
To deepen the understanding and practice of this connection, the ESW program will explore topics related to nature-based therapies, treatments, and activities that aim to promote and enhance human wellbeing. The program’s projects, publications, and activities will contribute to advancements in nature-related remedies and medical breakthroughs in Lebanon and the region. Research will fall under one of the areas of impact:
DISCOVER OUR PHILOSOPHY
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
The program’s main objective is to remove the binary between people and nature by taking action that is based on consensus building through local priorities. It will accomplish these through bridging the three following tenants:
OUR AREAS OF ACTION
MEET THE PROGRAM LEAD
Dr. Nadine Darwiche is a tenured professor in the Department of Biochemistry and
Molecular
Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine, AUB. She serves as the coordinator of the graduate program in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics. Dr. Darwiche holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from George Washington University and is certified from Harvard Med
ical School’s Postgraduate Medical Education program in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics.
Her research focuses on cancer prevention and targeted therapy using retinoids, as well as the development of drugs from natural products and nanoparticles. She has extensive experience in cancer chemoprevention and the characterization of DNA polymerase inhibitors, employing various in vitro and in vivo models to study cancer mechanisms and treatments.
Dr. Maya Romani is an Assistant Professor of clinical family medicine at the AUB.
She is currently the director of the AUB health and wellness center and the
associate director of family
medicine residency program. She is a specialist in tobacco treatment and corporate wellness. She is certified in medical education and a credentialed Balint leader from the American Balint society. Her areas of expertise are: Worksite wellness, smoking cessation, integrative Health, burnout among health professions and communication skills. She has published several book chapters and research articles in peer review journals.
LET’S EXPLORE COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES - REACH OUT TO JOIN OUR EFFORTS AND SUPPORT OUR MISSION!