Sandy Sanbar (BS ’56, MD ’60) writes, “I am currently a legal medicine consultant, executive director of the American Board of Legal Medicine, and adjunct professor of medical education at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. I am a grateful and proud alumnus who has had the privilege of working during my career as a cardiologist, biochemist (PhD ’63), and attorney (JD ’78). I am most active these days teaching about the ethical and medico-legal aspects of medical practice, both on land and at sea. My wife Dorothy and I have been married since 1961. We have two children and three grandchildren.”
Salim Batri (BA ’64) writes, “Following my graduation with a degree in economics, I worked in Beirut for about three years, then went to Toronto, Canada, to do graduate work in business administration at the University of Toronto. Since then, I have worked in middle management for multinational companies in the fields of marketing and purchasing in different countries, including Liberia, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. I finally settled in Montreal, Canada, with my family. My wife and I have been living in this lovely city for the past 30 years but visit Lebanon often. I am now retiring gracefully and would love to hear from my classmates.”
Ivan E. Araktingi (BS ’65) writes, “I have been happily retired from Chevron since 2016 but continue to do consulting work with Precipio, a consulting company I started with a friend back in 2002. My wife and I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to be near our son’s family and our grandson. We still maintain a house in Wisconsin where we go to escape the Arizona summer heat. I have been happily married to the same college sweetheart for 51 years now! I would like to hear from all of my classmates.”
Raja Hawit (BS ’60, MD ’65) retired from a solo pediatric practice two years ago. He lives in Maryland, about a one-hour drive from Washington, DC. He writes, “I was sorry that I had to miss our 50-year class reunion in 2015 because of an acute illness. Having come to the fourth quarter of life, I thank my Lord for enabling me to run my race with faith, hope, and love. So, where to from here? It is certainly a final question that deserves our serious attention as we all have to face the hereafter soon.”
Ismail Sukkariyyah (sophomore diploma ’65), MD, is a part-time gastroenterologist at AUBMC. His parliamentary membership activities caused him to become interested in social health issues, mainly pharmaceutical products and human-ethical aspects of medicine. Since May 1997, he has been fighting against corruption in the health sector and in health policy. He heads a National Association for Social Health (NASH) and has published three books: Drug Mafia, Health Rights in Lebanon, and Health = Right & Dignity, which was introduced by EVP Mohamed Sayegh, MD. He is currently preparing to publish his memories of AUB, focusing especially on the hard years of the 1980s.
Tarek Kettaneh (BEN ’70) writes, “I graduated with a bachelor’s in civil engineering in 1970. I then did a master’s in civil engineering at MIT, worked for two years, and then did an MBA at Harvard. Since then my career has led me to Iran (for seven years), then to the US (another 14 years), and then back to Lebanon, where I teach entrepreneurship and family business at AUB’s Suliman S. Olayan School of Business. I am happily married. We have three sons, two of whom are currently AUB students. My roommate from my AUB days, Manuel Hazim, keeps track of our class graduates from his Bazbina lair or from Nigeria.”
Nabil Sakkab (BS ’70) writes, “On a bright sunny day in the spring of 1970 I graduated from AUB with a BS degree in chemistry. Those were the beginnings of turbulent times on campus. However, this event, enabled by a generous university program, kicked off an incredibly fortunate path for me to continue my education in the US and to be blessed with an unbelievably supportive family and a distinguished career. It could not have gone any better.”
Shahron Williams [Van Rooij] (MA ’70) is an asssociate professor in the Learning Technologies Division of the College of Education and Human Development of George Mason University in the US. She has recently published The Business Side of Learning Design and Technologies under the Routledge imprint. The book is available on Amazon.
Ilyas Absi (BS ’75) writes, “After I graduated from AUB in 1975, I went to Canada and completed an engineering degree. I live in Ottawa. I have been married for 25 years to Carol Sfeir Absi. We have two children: Marissa (23), who is in medical school, and Michael (21), who is studying pharmacy. I was in Lebanon this past summer but may return next summer for Reunion 2020.”
Sami Chalhoub (BBA ’75) writes, “My wife Marcelle and I manage our private jewelry business in Aliso Viejo in southern California. We enjoy living in close proximity to our two daughters and their husbands: Caroline (and Devin Silberfein) and Christine (and Dr. Rabih Zaouk), and to the jewel of our life and our first grandchild, Luna Zaouk.”
Bayan Tabbara (BS ’77, MA ’80) writes, “I joined the UN while working on my MA thesis in economics. That is when I met my husband, Mohammad Wahab. We moved to Baghdad in 1982. I worked for the UN for 31 years. The Arab uprising movements made me realize that all the work I had done during my UN career had been futile, so I took early retirement. After doing a yoga program in India to rejuvenate my life, I returned to Beirut, where I am now living. I volunteer with NGOs and feel I am contributing more to human development than ever before. I have also started painting and am spending more time with my family. Early retirement was the best thing I ever did.”
Amenah Mukdad [Moussawi] (BSN ’80) is working as a registered nurse at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. She is looking forward to attending Reunion 2020.
Marlene Sahyuni [Abi-Mansour] (BS ’80) has been residing in Chicago since 1985. She completed a doctorate in public health and is married to Pierre Abi-Mansour, MD. They have four adult children. She writes, “We continue to visit Lebanon regularly and enjoy our extended family and the country that we will always love.”
Jamal Staytiyeh (BEN ’80) is living in Lebanon. He is a manager at SALCO, where he has worked since January 1991. Between 2015 and 2018, he was deputy CEO of SALCO in Saudi Arabia. Jamal has been involved in a number of notable projects during his career, including the Jeddah New Corniche Project Phases 4 and 5, 2017–18; the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies & Research Center (KAPSARC), 2010–12; the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), 2008–10; the power plant in South Jeddah, 2005–08; and Imam University in Riyadh, 1990–95.
Maher Siraj (BEN ’85) writes, “After graduation, I continued my academic studies and earned degrees from the University of Michigan (master’s) and Southern Methodist University (PhD). I am married with two daughters and live in the Dallas, Texas, area, where I work for Texas Instruments in chip design. I consider my superior AUB education to have been the tool that shaped my career. (I hope it is still superior!) I enjoy biking, jogging, and music.”
Nabil Khlat (BEN ’86) writes, “My wife and I have recently moved back to Beirut after 30 years abroad. Since June 2018, I have been CEO and chairman of the board for Liban Cables.”
May Mikati (BA ’87) has been teaching English at AUB since the early 1990s. She has also tutored at the Writing Center and coordinated the Extension English Program (Continuing Education) as well as the English Department’s Communication Skills Program. She enjoys teaching online and offers technical English in a blended/hybrid format. In her spare time, she blogs, having started a teachers’ blogging community. Additionally, she initiated a Facebook group for Oxford and Cambridge alumni in Lebanon to facilitate connections among alumni, both local and international.
Walid Ali-Ahmad (BE ’88) writes, “After graduating from AUB, I went to the US, where I earned a master’s and PhD from the University of Michigan. In September 2019, I joined Samsung Electronics as VP of the RF Systems SoC Architecture team working on 5G smartphones. I previously worked as RF engineering lead at Facebook in Menlo Park, California; before that, I worked at QUALCOMM in San Diego as VP Technology, and as Senior Director at Mediatek Inc. in Singapore. I am in regular contact with my alma mater, especially former colleagues at MSFEA, where I was an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering from 2004 to 2007. I am an IEEE distinguished lecturer and hold several patents in the area of RF design.
Lamia Moubayed (BS ’88, MS ’90) writes, “In July 2017, I was nominated by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to serve on the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA). This subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is responsible for providing policy advice and drafting resolutions that help countries implement their commitments under Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, namely Goal 16 (justice, peace, and strong institutions). I have also been selected to evaluate candidatures of countries to the United Nations Public Service Awards, which is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service.” publicadministration.un.org/en/unpsa
Noha Mazraani (BS ’90, MA ’96), PhD, writes, “I am now the founding school principal of Ghaf Primary School in Dubai. I have worked in international schools in Lebanon, Egypt, UAE, and Turkey and have extensive experience as a teacher and educational leader and with teacher training, curriculum development, school improvement, and accreditation. I love to travel and learn about different cultures: I have lived in five countries and visited many more. I have also volunteered over the years with the Lebanese Red Cross and the Greenline Association. I currently support student scholarships at AUB.”
Suha Mohsen (BA ’90) is a counselor in public schools. She writes, “The credit goes to AUB, which gave me the opportunity to achieve my dream. AUB is our past and future, memories that won’t fade. Thank you AUB.”
Wafaa Chebaro (BS ’91, MS ’94) writes, “I have been working in the health and science field in multiple disciplines for many years. I moved to Canada in 2006 and later pursued a graduate diploma in healthcare management at McGill University. I presently work at McGill University Health Centre in clinical genetics. I am a passionate health and wellness entrepreneur with a global company helping people live a healthier lifestyle and create time, freedom, and financial security for their families. I recently attended Reunion 2019. It was amazing and brought back so many emotions and great memories.”
Robert Mansour (BE ’91) writes, “Since graduating, I have worked in the public and military sectors in the fields of private mobile radio (PMR) and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), project management, business support systems (BSS), defense acquisition systems, and network design. I have a PhD in cyber security and cyber deterrence, international relations, and diplomacy from Centre d’Études Diplomatiques et Stratégiques (CEDS) in Paris.”
Samir Samhat (BS ’91) writes, “I am an environmental technician and work with the federal government/Natural Resources Canada on a contract or casual basis.”
Amal Shahine (BS ’91) writes, “After graduation, I joined Abu Dhabi International School and stayed there for 15 years. I started as a science and biology teacher and became head of the Science Department and later principal of the high school. I was then asked to be the founding principal of Horizon Private School in Abu Dhabi. The school is truly international, with students from more than 47 countries. I was recently appointed by the owners of the school to be director general of all of their schools.”
Zahi Ghantous (BEN ’92) writes, “Since graduation, I have been working with Consolidated Contractors Group SAL (offshore) in Greece, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia in various fields, domains, and roles. I am currently living in Athens, Greece, and working in the corporate Athens office as assistant vice president.”
Mohamad Kallas (BS ’92, MS ’93) writes, “After graduation, I worked as a research assistant at FAFS before joining Karmadex Nigeria as a production manager (1994–97). From 1997 to 2004, I worked for Shuman Farms in Lebanon as a production manager and then for Zartech Nigeria as account manager (2004–06). During 2006–08 I worked for Hybro BV Poultry Breeding Company as a technical manager for MENA and Turkey. In 2008 I joined Cobb Europe as a technical manager for the Middle East, where I am currently senior accounts manager.”
Antoine “Tony” Saliba (BBA ’92) writes, “After graduating from AUB, I completed an MBA degree at the University of Massachusetts in 1998. I spent the next 15 years in the banking industry moving between different postings within corporate banking between Lebanon and the GCC. I moved to Canada with my wife and two kids in 2012. I have been living in Toronto since 2012 and working in corporate finance at the Royal Bank of Canada.”
Amal Abdallah (BS ’95) writes, “I am a full-time writer and have published two Arabic novels as well as six books for children (for ages 9–13).”
Lena Al-Rahbany (BA ’95) writes, “I am a business editor, web editor, and web consultant to universities, web developers, and institutions, helping them to improve their website/social media content, design, outreach, search engine optimization (SEO), and audience. I have also been certified as a fitness trainer by the ISSA Association in the US and am a seasonal painter.”
Rania Bizri (BA ’95, MMB ’01) writes, “I previously worked as an economic consultant but am now an intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) psychotherapist. I have a private practice in Sidon as well as in Beirut. I train and collaborate regularly with the ISTDP Institute in the UK.”
Nahida El-Assi (MA ’95) earned a PhD in educational management and administration at the University of Leicester in 2003. She is an ESL project manager, teacher trainer, materials writer, and lecturer at the University of Montreal. She has published a considerable amount of research in international and regional journals. Nahida is married and has three children who are excelling in business, medicine, and engineering.
Chafic Kharma (BA ’95) writes, “After 18 years of GCC experience working for a multinational organization, I decided to open my own firm so I could share my expertise with local companies. My interest is in the oil and gas industry. I hope to be part of this if Lebanon overcomes this challenge.”
Carolina Noueihed [Khalek] (BA ’95) moved to California in 2000 and has been working in the human resources management field ever since. Early this year she proudly founded an online business: oursheritage.com. She is currently the secretary of the WAAAUB Orange County Chapter. She writes, “AUB has always been a part of who I have become. I am looking forward to participating in the 2020 AUB alumni reunion… I guess once an AUBite, always an AUBite!”
Ihab Tabbara (BBA ’96) writes, “I recently graduated from London Business School with an Executive MBA and received the best student award. I am the general manager of Roots Group Arabia with 21 years of extensive experience specializing in retail, building materials, and supply chain in Saudi Arabia. I am proud that my son, Ryan, is currently studying electrical and computer engineering at AUB. I believe that the key to success is to be perseverant, to have ambitions, and to be fully dedicated to achieving greatness.”
Basile Chouéri (BEN ’97) writes, “I have been living in London for the last ten years working for British American Tobacco in its Next Generation Products (NGP) Division. I am the senior operations development manager responsible for operations due diligence for mergers and acquisitions and also lead strategic NGP operations projects.”
Mariam Shebaya (BS ’97) writes, “In 2017, I returned to academia, while keeping up with consulting and coaching work (Mpact Consulting & Coaching). Little did I know how invigorating teaching would be! I had taught before, but this time a renewed passion was kindled in me! I love the interaction with students at Notre Dame University and the University of Balamand. I love that they are eager to learn and listen. I love that I can make a difference (even if very small) in educating the upcoming generation, hoping that they will bring much-needed change to Lebanon.”
Farah Ghandour (BBA ’00) writes, “I am currently living in Dubai, where I work as a freelancer in public relations and events management. I previously worked in banking.”
Amer Karam (BS ’96, MD ’00) writes, “I am an associate professor at Stanford University, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where I have been for the past six years. My wife Summer and I are expecting our third boy this fall. His brothers, Lucas (6) and Alexander (3), are very excited to meet him.”
Joseph Malkoun (BEN ’02) writes, “After graduating in 2002, I decided to pursue my true passion: mathematics. I got a master’s from McGill University in 2006 and then a PhD from Stony Brook University in 2012, both in mathematics. I am a professor of mathematics at Notre Dame University. I got married to the lovely Vivecca in 2015. If someone is interested in reconnecting with me, I’d love to hear from them.”
Ziad A. Hage (BS ’00, MD ’04) writes, “I am a cerebrovascular, endovascular, and skull base board certified neurosurgeon, practicing at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, where I serve as lead physician for cranial and endovascular neurosurgery. I am adjunct associate professor in the Department of Surgery at the Campbell University School of Medicine. I live here with my wife Murielle and my two boys, Christian and Alexander. We love the city and feel very fortunate to be part of our community.”
Fatmeh Abbas (BS ’05, MPH ’10) worked as a medical laboratory scientist at AUBMC’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from 2005 to 2018. Since May 2018, she has been the department’s program coordinator for graduate medical education.
Bashira Al Khalidy (MPH ’05) writes, “Receiving an MPH from AUB changed the path of my career forever. I was promoted to chief lab technician and lab quality manager at Makassed General Hospital after receiving my MPH degree. I am now an instructor at the Lebanese International University. More than a decade after graduation, I cannot be more proud to be an AUB alumna.”
Osmat Awar (BBA ’05) writes, “After graduation, I moved to Jeddah for five years and worked at both Ogilvy and H+K Strategies as a communication consultant. I then moved to Riyadh and got married in 2013. I have been working for McDonald’s for the past seven years as head of the Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility unit. I will be continuing my postgrad studies at INSEAD and hope to complete my EMBA by 2020.”
Gaby E. Gabriel (BS ’01, MD ’05) is married to Rawan Shoucair (BA ’01). He is an interventional radiologist at the University of Kentucky and the Interventional Radiology Residency Program Director. He specializes in interventional oncology focusing on minimally invasive cancer treatments. He writes, “I am thankful for all the education and opportunities that AUB provided me.”
Wassim Hamade (BBA ’05) writes, “After graduation, I moved to Toledo, Ohio, where I pursued my education and earned an MBA in management information system (MIS), with honors, from the University of Toledo. I then went to Houston where I got a job at S4 Communications as a business analyst. I recently joined Verizon, where I am currently a senior systems analyst.”
Ali Hammoud (BE ’05) writes, “I have been working in the construction field in Qatar since 2005 with Midmac Contracting Co. and am currently an MEP section manager. MainGate has always been a true voice of AUB for alumni all over the world. I hope that Lebanon will have an equally good/unified tool one day to listen to and benefit all Lebanese expats!”
Nasri Qumri (MUDS ’05) writes, “I have been living in Dubai since June 2006 and am currently working with Meraas, Dubai Holding, and Dubai Properties, heading development approvals and master planning. I am also the founder and managing director of AlphaSquare Dubai, which is the only specialized unit to provide development approval strategies in the region. I am married and have four children: Cybele and Chloe, who are eight years old; Enzo, who is four; and Sia-Rain, who is three. I would like to connect with classmates.”
Alia Sabra (BS ’05, MS ’07, MS ’17) writes, “After receiving the Academic Excellence Award from AUB in 2007, I had the opportunity to present my MS thesis on New TV (in 2007) and on El Etijah Iraqi Regional TV (in 2013). I received the Best Researcher Award at the 11th Plant Protection Conference in Amman, Jordan, in 2014. In 2017, I completed my MS in energy studies. As a master’s student, I participated in conferences in Lisbon and Cambridge. In 2017, I won the First School on Humanitarian Engineering Hackathon at AUB with my team ‘Bracsee.’ In 2018, I was selected for One Health Approach, a fully-funded program at Duke University in the US.”
Hala Shehadeh (MA ’05) writes, “I am currently an associate professor of mathematics at James Madison University in Virginia. I did my PhD at New York University and my post-doc at University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. I have a wonderful eight-year-old daughter, Sary. We live near the beautiful National Shenadoah Park near Washington, DC, and visit Lebanon regularly. My research is in mathematical aspects of materials science. I cofounded the Women in Mathematics of Materials Network.”
Abir Tannir (BA ’05, MA ’12) writes, “I graduated from AUB with a BA in education and an MA in educational psychology. I am the assistant director of alumni affairs and career development at the American University of Kuwait. I have two lovely daughters who are always connected to AUB through my beautiful memories and alumni reunions.”
Zaina Al Falah (BA ’06) writes, “I have been working in the marketing communications and advertising field in the banking industry in Kuwait, my hometown, for 12 years. I love this field: it’s fun and dynamic and a never-ending challenge. I have also worked on several side projects regarding events entertainment for children, which is my second passion and one I hope to expand and grow very soon as my own business. I’d love to hear from anyone who has tips and tricks for starting your own business.”
Khalid Ashour (BS ’06) writes, “Fifteen years later I still look back very fondly on my time at AUB. The education I received and friendships I made are something to treasure. I live in New York, where I work at Facebook, figuring out what new things to build and develop. AUB will always have a special place in my heart.”
Kassem Jouni (BS ’06, MS ’09) has spent 13 years working with private and international development agencies and the UN on developing forage production, crop and soil management, irrigation scheduling, impact evaluation for agricultural projects, preparation of feasibility studies to identify crop production estimates, and development of agricultural training materials on large farming schemes—primarily in Sudan and Ethiopia, in addition to urban and innovative agriculture. He is currently a programme policy officer for the UN World Food Programme in Beirut. Kassem and his wife Nadine Mohanna (BS ’08, MBA ’14) have one son, Adam.
Saly Shamra (BS ’06) writes, “I am the owner of LoCal Wheat Free Bakery in Tripoli, Lebanon. I have a dietetic clinic in the bakery. I am also the director of monitoring, evaluation, and learning at a USAID-funded project called The Lebanon Water Project.”
Bilal Hallab (BBA ’07) writes, “After graduation, I spent five years working in advertising and communications in Saudi Arabia. In 2011, I started my own digital agency and social business consultancy. I grew it into a multimillion dollar firm and sold it in 2018. I have been happily married for nine years with a beautiful five-year-old daughter and a newly born son. I visit AUB at least monthly to have my morning coffee on the Main Gate stairs.”
Sarine Beukian (BSN ’08) writes, “After gaining work experience at AUBMC, I moved to Cleveland and joined Case Western Reserve University as clinical faculty while earning my master’s degree (2014). I am now a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner at Mount Sinai Hospital in the Department of Heart Failure and Transplant in New York City and a member of the American College of Cardiology. A lot of my dreams and career path decisions were made on the AUB campus. AUB holds a special place in my heart.”
Leila El Alti (BS ’08, MA ’14) earned a BS in nursing and an MA in philosophy at AUB. She worked as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at AUBMC, an instructor and clinical preceptor to nursing students at the Lebanese University, and at SANAD: The Home Hospice Organization of Lebanon, before moving to Sweden. She is currently a PhD candidate in practical philosophy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and the mother of Freya, who is half-Swedish, half-Lebanese. Leila and Freya visited campus in spring 2019.
Raghida Bou Zerdan (MS ’10) writes, “After graduating from AUB, I joined the PhD program at the University of Florida, where I focused on the development of ‘smart’ π-conjugated oligomers for organic electronic applications, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at UC Santa Barbara. In May 2019, I joined the Dow Performance Silicones–Product Development Group as a senior research scientist. I am currently working on a sustainable approach for organic compatible silicone derivatives, low cyclics aminosiloxane emulsions for haircare, and water-based high temperature coatings.”
Carole Sioufi (BA ’10) writes, “After managing the family business for eight years in the Middle East, I am now completing an MLA in gastronomy at Boston University in the US. I’ve always wanted to start a company in food. This master’s is the ideal stepping stone for doing so. The program is unique: it investigates food from a social science perspective, touching upon food policy and nutrition and uncovering some of the structural inefficiencies of the food system. With this background and an entrepreneurial spirit, I plan to start my own company and find a way to help people eat healthier.”
Samar Temsah (BA ’10, TD ’10) is an instructor at the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdelaziz Alsaud Center for American Studies and Research(CASAR). Her MA research focused on popular culture and identity politics, looking especially at nationalism and country music post-9/11. Samar previously worked in the educational field (with both preschools and high schools) and the corporate world, specifically in the banking and executive search industries. She is considering doing a PhD in American/ethnic studies with an interest in Arab American studies, African American studies, popular culture, cultural hybridity, identity politics, and liminal spaces as empowering instead of as marginalizing and disenfranchising.
Amal Nasser Eddin (BS ’05, MD ’11) writes, “I always knew that I wanted to be a doctor so I could help conservative women in our community who suffer due to a lack of female gynecologists. My goal was to improve the livelihood of women and avoid preventable diseases. Today I practice obstetric and gynecological primary care, surgery, and preventative medicine for women in medically underserved areas in Lebanon. Being able to make a difference in the lives of women in our community makes me feel that all of the hard work and sleepless nights have been worthwhile. Over the years, I have also been blessed with a fabulous husband and two children.”
Sara Kadi (BSLEM ’11) writes, “I am currently working in Beirut at DIB Lighting, a lighting consultancy firm with offices in Lebanon, Dubai, and Kuwait. I am the design team leader, handling all sorts of landscape, architecture, and interior lighting projects across Lebanon, the GCC, the Arab world, Canada, etc., from the conceptual design phase until execution and supervision.”
Rita Abou Samra (BSLEM ’12) writes, “After graduating from AUB, I earned my master’s degree in urban and regional planning in Madrid, Spain. I then relocated to Washington, DC, where I got my LEED accreditation in neighborhood development. I am currently a community planner with the government of the District of Columbia, and part of an organization and online publication called Greater Greater Washington, for which I mainly write articles on planning, sustainability, transportation, and social justice.”
Maher Nadar (BE ’12) writes, “After graduating from AUB, I worked for 20 months as a product design engineer at Al Zamil Air Conditioners in Saudi Arabia. I then went to Barcelona, Spain, for a couple of years, where I earned a master’s degree in automatic controls and robotics. I was especially interested in computer vision and machine learning, which led me to do a thesis on image classification using convolutional neural networks (a deep learning application). Following this, I secured my current job as a data scientist at Envio Systems, a startup in Berlin, Germany, that helps smart buildings save energy.”
Samar Attieh (MPH ’13) writes, “I am a PhD student in experimental medicine at McGill University, Quebec, Canada. I have more than five years of research experience in data collection, management, analysis, and reporting gained by working on multidisciplinary research projects in Beirut, Ottawa, and Montreal. For my doctoral studies I am primarily interested in examining the relationship between oncology team functioning and patient cancer-related experiences and reported outcomes. This project builds on my research work at the Loiselle Research Lab focusing on how to best support patients with cancer and enhance their experience throughout the cancer trajectory.”
Salwa Darraj (BBA ’13) writes, “After graduating from AUB, I earned an MS degree in economics and strategy for business and a pre-MBA certificate from Imperial College London. I then joined Ernst & Young, where I now work as a senior consultant. I am also a member of the Imperial College Alumni Advisory Board and a fellow at the Chartered Management Institute in the UK. During my free time I work on developing and launching my own startup.”
Raya El-Kadi (BBA ’15) writes, “I am leading organization and business transformation projects at Byblos Bank Group. I was recently awarded a scholarship to pursue my master’s degree in France. I am still in touch with people at AUB who continue to support my career endeavors.”
Eman Sharara (MPH ’15) writes, “I spent several years working as a research assistant on different health-related projects. I recently started a new project about sexually transmitted disease screening among Syrian refugees. I am now a mother to one baby boy. I feel this next year will be full of success.”
Dominique Tegho (BA ’15) writes, “I currently live in Berlin. I made a complete career change in 2016 when I decided to pursue my passion, which is dance. I moved from Beirut to Germany two years ago and enrolled in a few dance programs. I recently graduated from Tanzfabrik Berlin and have launched my career as a freelance performer and choreographer. I have also trained in India to be a yoga teacher.”
Hamzeh Halawani (former student 2011–16), MD, trained at Abington-Jefferson, Pennsylvania, and did an accredited fellowship in bariatric and metabolic surgery in 2017. Hamzeh is Jordanian board- and European board- certified (FEBS) and a member of the American Medical Association (AMA), American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), American College of Surgeons (ACS), Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Jordanian Surgical Society, and the Jordanian Medical Association. He has 18 publications in peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine.
Mazen Zein (BAR ’16) writes, “I am currently a project architect at a contracting company based in Lebanon. I have been handling several tasks, from producing execution drawings to site surveying and coordination between electrical and mechanical trades. The recent years have been productive and fruitful in terms of opportunities to learn new skills and techniques in the construction industry. I hope to establish a small office in the near future.”
Lara Tamer (BBA ’17) writes, “Right after graduation, I landed a job at MSE (Management Solutions Experts), a management consulting company. Most of our projects are in the MENA region. I was recently assigned to projects in Saudi Arabia, which is now considered a hub for most consulting companies. I have always been interested in discovering new cultures and meeting people from different backgrounds and traditions. Being part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is not something I ever planned to do, yet I am glad to be involved and look forward to seeing what the future holds for me.”
Razan Amine (BA ’18) writes, “I graduated with high distinction and was selected for the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Student Leaders Program. As part of this program, I implemented an informal educational project, Building Mindsets, for educating Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. The project is ongoing. I received a Fulbright grant for 2019–20 and am currently studying international economics at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC. I proudly represent my home, AUB, everywhere I go.”
Abdulrazzak Tamim (BA ’18) writes, “I was awarded a scholarship from the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative program to pursue my BA degree at AUB. I graduated with distinction and received a scholarship from Al Ghurair Foundation for Education to pursue my studies at McGill University, where I am a graduate student majoring in agricultural economics. I have founded Arab Economist, an online platform to create active citizens through explaining economic issues, and am a cofounder of DigitArab, a venture aiming at providing employment opportunities for young people.”
Our Legacy: The Dr. Sami Kabbani Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Sami Kabbani was an AUB alumnus (BS ’58, MD ’62) and a lifelong supporter of the university who grew up in Damascus. After completing medical school, he continued his education at prestigious hospitals in the US, including Henry Ford Hospital and Texas Heart Institute. He returned to Damascus in 1973 and founded the Damascus University Cardiovascular Surgical Center in 1975, serving as its director until 2004.
Sami and his family have maintained a strong connection to AUB. One of his sons, Nader, was a faculty member with the Department of Economics before leaving to set up a policy research center in Damascus. Another one of his sons, Loay, attended AUB until the tragic bombing of College Hall in 1991 prompted him to complete medical school in Damascus. He then followed in his father’s footsteps, pursuing a career in cardiovascular surgery. Sami’s wife Sally and daughter Nada visit AUB regularly.
When Sami passed away in 2017, his family established the Dr. Sami Kabbani Endowed Scholarship at AUB as an enduring memorial to his life and a tribute to the institution that he credits with grounding him in scholarship and setting him on his professional path. His family plans to expand the scholarship fund and invites others to join them in helping AUB medical students launch their careers.