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DiscoveringAUB
@discoveringaub.bsky.social
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The American University of Beirut: Leading expertise, research & events across all academic disciplines.
Operated by the NY Office.
linktr.ee/discoveringaub
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discoveringaub.bsky.social
This week’s #MedMondays highlights Dr. Elie Akl, AUB professor and vice provost, named to Clarivate’s 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list for the 10th year. He’s the only Arab scholar in Clinical Medicine and one of two in Social Sciences, recognized for worldwide influence. Read: tr.ee/akl
A promotional graphic featuring Elie Akl standing outdoors in front of leafy greenery, wearing a blue suit and tie and holding a white cloth. Below the photo, text reads: “Ten Years of Influence: Elie Akl’s Global Research Legacy,” along with a “Read the Full Story” button. The American University of Beirut seal appears in the bottom right corner.
December 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
If nearly 40% of peace agreements collapse, what are we still getting wrong? This IFI blog post explores how trauma-informed and gender-sensitive mediation can turn fragile ceasefires into pathways for durable and just reconciliation.

Read: tr.ee/ifiblog1 #AcademicSky
A blog graphic from the American University of Beirut’s Issam Fares Institute featuring an illustration of two overlapping human profiles—one in warm red and orange tones, the other in cool blue and green tones. A maroon label reads “Intern’s Blog.” At the bottom, the title appears: “Healing Beyond the Table: The Role of Trauma and Gender in Mediation,” authored by Sam Chaaban.
December 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
Did you catch Jeopardy! last week? AUB made an appearance as one of the answers! #AcademicSky #EduSky
December 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
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We sat down with Ricardo Karam—TV host, media figure, AUB alumnus, and member of the AUB Board of Trustees—to reflect on how AUB shaped his worldview, and to hear his thoughts on the university’s enduring impact on its community and the region. Watch: youtu.be/0XcAZcny9Uk
Ricardo Karam: How AUB Shaped My Outlook on Humanity and Truth
YouTube video by DiscoveringAUB
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
Are you @sxsw.com bound this March? Watch this space—we’ll be announcing soon which AUB professor is taking the stage! #AcademicSky #EduSky
Promotional graphic announcing the American University of Beirut’s participation in SXSW 2026. The top section displays the text Join Our Conversation at SXSW with a maroon diagonal banner labeled American University of Beirut. Below is a black silhouette of a person with green horizontal lines across the lower half. The bottom section features the SXSW logo and event details: 2026, March 12–18, Austin, TX.
December 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
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This week’s Student Spotlight features Mireille—a junior Psychology student at AUB Mediterraneo in Cyprus who’s building community on campus, supporting others through volunteer work, and shaping her future in forensic psychology. #EduSky #AcademicSky
Mireille Guirguis, a psychology student at AUB Mediterraneo, standing outdoors on a sunny day in front of a modern stone and red building. A maroon banner at the top reads Student Spotlight and a yellow ribbon says AUB Mediterraneo. Her name and major appear at the bottom: Mireille Guirguis – BS Psychology. Text-based graphic titled Meet Mireille with bullet points outlining her background and activities, including being a junior psychology student at AUB Mediterraneo, president of the Psychology Student Society, volunteer at the Cyprus Samaritans Listening Centre, summer intern working with children on the autism spectrum, and aspiring forensic psychologist. Light textured gray background with accompanying emojis. Graphic showing a quote from Mireille Guirguis about studying at AUB Mediterraneo and being exposed to diverse cultures and ideas. Her photo appears in a circular frame in the lower left corner, showing her standing on campus with grass and buildings behind her. Her name appears in bold maroon text on the bottom right.
December 3, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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Have you caught up on this month’s AUB@Work? Visit tr.ee/nov25 to explore:
📌 Phone cameras becoming 3D mappers
📌 Native microbes speeding oil-spill cleanup
📌 Regional knowledge powering climate resilience
📌 Algorithms supporting heritage conservation
November 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
When trust in institutions collapses, can the state recover? Across the Middle East, crises & corruption have eroded public confidence. Our final op-ed in this series explores why rebuilding trust requires fair economic reform, accountable institutions, & a renewed social contract. Read: tr.ee/oped4
"Graphic showing wooden letter blocks spelling the word ‘TRUST’ placed over a map of the Middle East. Below, a maroon banner reads ‘OP-ED’ and the title ‘Beyond Economic, Social, and Political Stability: Rebuilding Trust in the Middle East,’ authored by Simon Neaime. Logos of the American University of Beirut and the Global Engagement Initiative appear at the bottom."
November 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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This week, AUB’s Dr. Nadine Panayot delivered an Armand Brunswick Distinguished Lecture at @metmuseum.org on “Heritage DNA,” sharing the powerful story of restoring AUB’s glass vessels shattered in the Aug 4, 2020 Beirut Port explosion & the ongoing work to protect artifacts amid regional crises. 🏺
November 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
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This week’s Student Spotlight features Reem, a Business Administration student whose involvement across campus showcases her passion for mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement at AUB. #EduSky
Portrait of Reem Aridi standing outdoors on the AUB campus, smiling at the camera. She has long dark hair and is wearing a sleeveless white top. Behind her are students and the modern facade of a campus building. At the top, a maroon banner reads “Student Spotlight,” and at the bottom, text reads “Reem Aridi – BBA Business Administration.” Text graphic titled “Meet Reem” with a list of Reem Aridi’s academic and extracurricular achievements. Icons accompany each point. The background is textured light gray. A graphic featuring a quote that reads: “My time at AUB taught me that every challenge is an opportunity to evolve, and that growth is the truest form of success.” In the lower left, there is a circular photo of a young woman with long dark hair holding a certificate, standing in front of greenery and a stone wall. Her name, “Reem Aridi,” appears in bold white text on a maroon background at the bottom right of the image.
November 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
For this week’s #MedMondays, we’re looking back at the history of AUB’s Faculty of Medicine, as compiled by the Program on Medical History, Ethics & Policy (MHEP). From bedside to breakthrough, AUB has been shaping medical education and innovation in the region for generations. #MedSky
November 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
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Last chance! Join us at The Met on November 19 to hear AUB's Dr. Nadine Panayot explore how heritage endures through conflict—and how innovation, conservation, and digital tools help safeguard memory for generations to come.

Register: tr.ee/themet 🏺
A promotional graphic featuring ancient glass artifacts displayed in museum cases. The text reads: “HERITAGE DNA — Resilience at the American University of Beirut Archaeological Museum.” Event details below state: “Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 11:00–12:00 PM ET — The Metropolitan Museum of Art.” Logos of the American University of Beirut and The Met are displayed at the bottom.
November 14, 2025 at 3:28 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
From collapse to collaboration: can civil society rebuild the state? In fragile Arab states, citizens are reclaiming governance through participation, transparency, and trust. Part 3 of our op-ed series explores how rebuilding can begin from below.
Read: tr.ee/oped3 #PoliSciSky #AcademicSky
A construction worker wearing a bright yellow shirt and red gloves places a concrete block labeled “BUILD” on top of another block labeled “RE,” forming the word “REBUILD.” Below the image, text reads: “OP-ED — Rebuilding the State from Below: How Civil Society Restores Governance in Fragile Arab States — Authored by Tania N. Haddad.” The American University of Beirut logo and Global Engagement Initiative branding appear at the bottom.
November 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
Congratulations to AUB alumnus Yusuf Hannun, Professor in Cancer Research at Stony Brook University, on receiving an $11M NIH grant supporting his team’s groundbreaking research on sphingolipids—fat molecules key to cancer development, treatment response, and therapy-related toxicity. #OncoSky
Portrait of Yusuf Hannun smiling, wearing a suit and tie against a neutral gray background. Below his photo, text reads: “ALUMNI IN THE NEWS — YUSUF HANNUN (BS ’77, MD ’81, HON. DHL ’14).” The American University of Beirut logo appears at the bottom.
November 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
How can fragile objects tell stories of resilience? Join us at The Met on November 19 to hear AUB's Dr. Nadine Panayot explore how heritage can endure through conflict, and how innovation, conservation, and digitalization safeguard memory for generations to come. Register: tr.ee/themet 🏺
A promotional graphic featuring ancient glass artifacts displayed in museum cases. The text reads: “HERITAGE DNA — Resilience at the American University of Beirut Archaeological Museum.” Event details below state: “Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 11:00–12:00 PM ET — The Metropolitan Museum of Art.” Logos of the American University of Beirut and The Met are displayed at the bottom.
November 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
What happens when citizens stop believing their governments can deliver?

Part 2 of our op-ed series explores the Middle East’s deep crisis of trust—and what it will take to rebuild it.

Read: tr.ee/oped2 @abouassi.bsky.social #AcademicSky #PoliSciSky
A graphic featuring a close-up map of the Middle East, showing countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey. Overlaid text reads: “OP-ED — Beyond Rhetoric: Earning Trust in the Middle East’s Governance Crisis.” Below it, the author is listed as Khaldoun AbouAssi. The bottom section includes the American University of Beirut logo and the Global Engagement Initiative branding.
November 6, 2025 at 5:25 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
This week’s Student Spotlight features Sima Mirza — a Business Administration student whose journey at AUB is defined by leadership, learning, and global engagement. #EduSky
A student named Sima Mirza stands outdoors on the American University of Beirut campus, smiling and dressed in black. The image has the text “STUDENT SPOTLIGHT” at the top in a maroon banner and “SIMA MIRZA – BBA BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION” at the bottom in bold maroon and black text. Graphic titled “MEET SIMA:” featuring text about Sima Mirza, a Junior Business Administration student at AUB concentrating in Finance. The text highlights her achievements, including being a portfolio manager in AUB’s Investment Management Program, gaining international experience, serving on the Student Representative Council, and engaging in community initiatives. A testimonial from Sima Mirza about her lifelong dream of attending AUB, describing how she grew up visiting campus with her parents and now wants to give back to the university. The design includes her quote, a large maroon quotation mark graphic, and a circular photo of her standing inside the New York Stock Exchange. Her name appears at the bottom in bold maroon text.
November 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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How are shifting alliances and power dynamics reshaping governance in the MENA region? Join our webinar with Chatham House this Thursday at 10am ET / 5pm Beirut to explore how states are adapting to change — and what it means for the region’s future.

Register: tr.ee/ifiweb #AcademicSky
Event poster for a discussion titled “Reshaping Governance in the MENA Region: Domestic Pressures and Global Dynamics,” hosted by the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut in partnership with Chatham House. The event is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM Beirut time, held at the IFI Conference Room and online via Zoom. Speakers include Hayder Al-Shakeri, Bader Al-Saif, Yeghia Tashjian, and Sanam Vakil. The moderator is Joseph Bahout, IFI Director. The poster includes AUB and Chatham House logos and a summary about shifting governance models in the MENA region amid global and domestic pressures.
November 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
Have you caught up on this month’s AUB@Work? Visit tr.ee/oct25 to explore:

📌 AI “fact-checker” protecting self-driving cars
📌 AI uncovering daily life in ancient Egypt
📌 Lebanese soil revealing new antibiotics
📌 Diesel pollution tied to rising cancer risk
Digital illustration combining ancient cave-style art and modern symbols shows red ochre drawings of people and animals alongside a laptop sketch on a textured stone background. Text on the image reads: “AUB@Work Oct 2025 – AI unlocks ancient Egyptian life. Read more. American University of Beirut.” Close-up digital illustration of colorful bacteria in blue and orange hues under a microscope, representing scientific research on microbes. Text on the image reads: “AUB@Work Oct 2025 – New discovery in fight against antimicrobial resistance. Read more. American University of Beirut.” Illustration showing a weathered industrial building with rusted pipes and windows, evoking pollution and environmental decay. The image accompanies the headline “Toxic Power, Rising Risk” from the American University of Beirut’s AUB@Work series, October 2025. Graphic for the American University of Beirut’s “AUB@Work” series, October 2025 edition, titled “When Roads Get Hacked.” The image shows a car on a digital road with glowing blue lines, grids, and radar-like waves symbolizing smart vehicle sensors and autonomous driving technology. The AUB logo and “Read More” prompt appear on a maroon banner at the bottom.
October 31, 2025 at 2:41 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
What happens when trust in government is lost—and how can it be rebuilt? Our new four-part op-ed series explores why restoring public trust is key to the Middle East’s future.

Read part one: tr.ee/oped1 #AcademicSky #PoliSciSky
Graphic from the American University of Beirut titled “Beyond Stability: Rebuilding Trust in the Middle East.” The image shows a map of the Middle East with colored push pins marking locations in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Text indicates that the op-ed is authored by Khaldoun AbouAssi, Tania Haddad, and Simon Neaime, and is part of AUB’s Global Engagement Initiative.
October 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
At AUB, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. The Transformative Education (TrEd) Program gives students the tools to think creatively, lead confidently, and explore new ways to learn. Hear from the students themselves: youtube.com/watch?v=D4fTF4YESZY #EduSky
What is TrEd?
YouTube video by Bilal R. Kaafarani
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM
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For this week’s #MedMondays, we’re proud to spotlight AUB’s Dr. Salah Zein-El-Dine, recipient of the ACGME-I Physician Leader International Award! A leader in medical education, he’s strengthened training, promoted wellness, & advanced standards at AUB and beyond. Congratulations, Dr. Zein-El-Dine!
Graphic from the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine featuring Dr. Salah Zein-El-Dine, smiling in a suit and tie with trees in the background. The text announces that Dr. Zein-El-Dine received the Physician Leader International Award from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International (ACGME-I). The AUB and Faculty of Medicine logos appear on the image.
October 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
A tiny sticker could trick a self-driving car—and AUB’s Prof. Ali Chehab is working to stop that. His new AI safeguard protects autonomous vehicles from visual deception.
Read: tr.ee/hacked #AI #AcademicSky
Graphic for the American University of Beirut’s “AUB@Work” series, October 2025 edition, titled “When Roads Get Hacked.” The image shows a car on a digital road with glowing blue lines, grids, and radar-like waves symbolizing smart vehicle sensors and autonomous driving technology. The AUB logo and “Read More” prompt appear on a maroon banner at the bottom.
October 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
For today’s Student Spotlight, meet Melanie—a second-year AUB Mediterraneo Philosophy, Politics & Economics student. Rooted in faith and driven by curiosity, she’s embracing every opportunity—from the Pafos marathon to Pafos FC and EU youth dialogue—to build community and turn dreams into action.
October 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM
discoveringaub.bsky.social
Happening tomorrow! Join AUB's Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah and Princeton's Eliza Griswold for Conversations from Beirut: “The Biosphere of War,” hosted by the Princeton Bobst Center–AUB Collaborative Initiative. Wednesday, October 22, 4:30 pm Beirut / 9:30 am EST. Join: tr.ee/biosphere
Event poster for the American University of Beirut Faculty of Arts & Sciences series “Conversations from Beirut.” The event, titled “The Biosphere of War,” features Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah from AUB and Eliza Griswold from Princeton University. The background shows a war-torn cityscape filled with rubble and destroyed buildings. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 4:30 PM Beirut / 9:30 AM New York, and is open to the public via Zoom.
October 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM