Dr. Hiba El Hajj

Promising Researcher Grant

Dr. Hiba El Hajj is a Tenured Associate Professor at the Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, at the Faculty of Medicine of the American University of Beirut. Her postgraduate training prepared her intellectually and honed her research proficiencies to tackle diverse topics in biomedical sciences. Her training in establishing animal models of disease and exploring molecular mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interaction set the stage to embark on a successful career in Molecular Oncology for the last 17 years, notwithstanding her doctoral training in the field of Molecular Parasitology.

Dr. Hajj’s research focuses on oncoprotein degradation in hematological malignancies by targeted therapies to alleviate cancer burden. This is now extended to solid tumors, which inflict an increasing number of patients worldwide and in especially in the Middle East. In Parasitology, she is also exploring innovative preventive and treatment strategies against toxoplasmosis. In addition, she is committed to quality teaching and has mentored over 45 Masters and Ph.D. students.

Dr. Hajj’s research is supported by several competitive grants and has resulted in highly cited manuscripts (68 publications) in leading journals. She has also accrued several national and international prizes and awards including the 2016 Rising Talents L’Oréal UNESCO for Women in Science Award, the 2015 L’Oréal UNESCO for Women in Science (Levant And Egypt) Fellowship, and the Prix d’Excellence Scientifique Franco-Libanais from la Société des Membres de la Légion d'Honneur in 2016.