Québec, Quebec, Canada
With 19 years of experience in scientific research, academia, and regulatory consultancy, I specialize in mycotoxicology, food science, and agri-food engineering. I serve as Full Professor and Chair of the Research Master’s Program in Food Science at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, where I also lead the Laboratory of Mycotoxicology and Food Safety. I am Adjunct Professor and visiting researcher (within the PARERA group) – Laval University, Quebec, Canada, contributing to international efforts in mycotoxin risk management. My work spans research related to food contaminants, mitigation strategies, and risk assessments, and extends to policy development and regulatory consultancy. I advise public institutions and international networks on food safety, holding active roles in: • Lebanese Ministry of Public Health – Food Safety Task Force • Lebanese Ministry of Economy & Trade – Technical Committee • LIBNOR – Expert Committee on Chemical Contaminants Regulation • GFoRSS – Global Food Regulatory Science Society • INB-UNICRI – International Network of Biotechnology • Member of the Scientific Experts – CNRS-L, (Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research) evaluating the safety of the Lebanese grain silos following the Beirut port blast Certified as a GSDP Auditor by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health and an FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCQI), I bring hands-on regulatory experience to support compliance, inspection readiness, and capacity building. I hold an HDR in Mycotoxicology, a Ph.D. in Environmental and Process Engineering (INP Toulouse), a Master’s in Agri-Food Engineering (Agro-Economy), a Master’s in Food Chemistry, and a Maîtrise in Physiology. My strengths include: Research & Innovation • Experimental design, data analysis, and publication • Grant writing, lab leadership, and applied mycotoxin mitigation Academic Leadership • Curriculum development, graduate supervision, and mentoring • Courses taught: Food Toxicology, GMP/GHP, Mycotoxicology, Biosafety & Biosecurity, Occupational Hazards, Parasitology Regulatory & Industry Engagement • Risk assessment and technical advisory for food safety policy • Cross-sector collaboration with ministries, NGOs, and scientific bodies Technical & Professional Skills • Laboratory methodologies • Research team supervision, cross-disciplinary collaboration • Public speaking, scientific communication I bridge science and regulation to strengthen food safety systems through research, education, and policy support.
🔹Agri-Food Systems Innovation 🔹Technology & Advisory for Sustainable Development
As an visiting researcher, I specialize in conducting comprehensive risk assessments on Aflatoxins within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. My work is dedicated to understanding the prevalence, exposure levels, and potential health implications of aflatoxins' contamination in the MENA population's food supply. Through rigorous analysis and collaboration with local experts, we aim to develop strategies and recommendations to mitigate these risks, safeguarding public health and promoting food safety in this vital region.
- Member of the Global Food Regulatory Science “GFoRSS”. - Member of the Food Safety committee founded by the Lebanese Ministry of public health. - Member of the Lebanese National wheat Committee - Member of the International Network of Biotechnology (INB), Related to Biosafety and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). - Scientific Referee for the University Agency of the Francophonie (AUF) - Food safety, Biosafety, consultant, and member at the Lebanese National committee for the Lebanese wheat and maize silos after the explosion of Beirut’s port. - Committee member attached to LIBNOR /Lebanese Ministry of Industry/ Lebanese Ministry of public Health for the specifications of raw materials used for local design of ventilators during COVID-19 pandemic. - Committee member at the Lebanese Association for the Advancement of Science (LAAS). - Guest Editor for the journal “Frontiers in Fungal Biology” for the special edition “'Mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi in the context of climate change." - Guest Editor for the journal “Frontiers in Nutrition” for the special edition “Risk Assessment of Mycotoxins in Food". - Referee for many scientific journals e.g. “Journal of food protection, Food Science, Food control, Journal of hazardous materials, International journal of food microbiology...” - Former Quality consultant at ISOFOOD industry for Mayonnaise production.
- Courses taught: Basics in Toxicology, Food Toxicology, Mycotoxicology, Food additives and products, Good manufacturing and Hygiene practices (GMP/GHP), Parasitology, Food biochemistry, Professional risks, Basics of environmental health, Biosafety & Biosecurity, Histology, Cytology, and Laboratory work of Structural Biochemistry. - Coordinator of the Faculty of Sciences at the campus of North Lebanon (CLN), Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon. - Head of the team “Mycotoxicology” Within the Center of analysis and research (CAR) of the Faculty of Sciences – Saint Joseph University - Committee member of the academic studies at the Faculty of Sciences, Saint-Joseph University, Lebanon. - Chair of Research Master “Food Chemistry” program at the Faculty of Sciences, Saint-Joseph University, Lebanon; Responsible for Teaching & research; Instructors recruitment; Students admission; Updating the food safety and environmental health curriculum; Instructors and courses evaluation; development of new collaborations, cooperation with ministries, research laboratories and food industries; Organizing seminars; Course offering developments; Grants and funds development. - Responsible for orientation services at the Faculty of Sciences, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut.
- Laboratory courses assistance: Structural Biochemistry, Zoology, Parasitology, Food Microbiology, animal Physiology, Plant Physiology, Fundamental Ecology, Applied Ecology, Enzymology.