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Carine MOUAWAD

Carine MOUAWAD

Instructor

Faculty of Science – Chargé de Cours

+961 (1) 421 000 carine.mouawad@usj.edu.lb

I am holding a PhD in Life Sciences from USJ, where I graduated with mention avec félicitations SAFE_USJ_du jury. I also hold a master’s degree in “Stem Cells, Regenerative Medicine, Organogenesis” from the Lebanese University, where I was ranked highly Throughout my academic journey, I acquired solid knowledge in many fields such as stem cells, microbiology, genetics, and immunology. My PhD research resulted in three publications: two as first author, with the first published in 2023 in the journal Research in Microbiology and the second in preparation, and a third as a second author. Alongside my research, I trained Master’s students in lab techniques and assisted them with their thesis projects. Prior to my PhD, I worked as a research assistant at AUB, gaining hands-on experience with Drosophila modeling, cell culture, and assisting in conducting laboratory sessionsIn addition to my research background, I have teaching experience. Before my PhD, I taught biology in two schools, and I currently teach Genetics and Immunity practical courses to Bachelor students at USJ.

Education

Degree University Country Year
PhD in life Science Saint Joseph University of Beyrouth Lebanon 2024
Master in stem cells Université Libanaise (UL) Lebanon 2013
Bachelor in biochemistry Université Libanaise (UL) Lebanon 2011

University teaching outside USJ

University teaching outside USJ Country Institution Start date End date
Teaching Lebanon Collège Patriarcal, Collège Saint Georges 01/10/2013 21/06/2016

Professional experience outside USJ

Professional experience Organisation Start date End date
Research Assistant American University of Beirut 01/09/2015 30/06/2017

Areas of expertise

Engineering and Technology, Sciences

Research themes

Our research team focuses on characterizing the virulence mechanisms of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria. Due to growing incentives to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, the application of Bt as a biological control agent continues to increase, leading to a greater introduction of its spores toxins into the environment. This necessitates anticipating and evaluating the potential impact on non-susceptible organisms.Our research aims to assess the potential effects of infections by Bt strains, with a particular focus on studying the contribution of epithelial defenses in combating the ingestion of Bt spores and toxins. Our model organism is Drosophila, a highly suitable organism for such research due to the high conservation of innate defense mechanisms and the strength of its genetic and molecular tools.

Publications and communications

- Mouawad, C., Awad, M.K., Liegeois, S., Ferrandon, D., Sanchis-Borja, V. El Chamy, L., (2023). The NF-κB factor Relish is essential for the epithelial defenses protecting against δ-endotoxin dependent effects of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis infection in the Drosophila model. Research in Microbiology, 174(6), p.104089.- Attieh Z, Mouawad C, Réjasse A, Jehanno I, Perchat S, Hegna IK, Økstad OA, Kallassy Awad M, Sanchis-Borja V and El Chamy L. (2020). The fliK Gene Is Required for the Resistance of Bacillus thuringiensis to Antimicrobial Peptides and Virulence in Drosophila melanogaster. Front. Microbiol. 2020. 11:611220. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.611220.- Boileau M, Shirinian M, Gayden T, Harutyunyan AS, Chen CCL, Mikael LG, Duncan HM, Neumann AL, Arreba-Tutusaus P, De Jay N, Zeinieh M, Rossokhata K, Zhang Y, Nikbakht H, Mouawad C, Massoud R, Frey F, Nasr R, El Cheikh J, El Sabban M, Kleinman CL, Mahfouz R, Minden MD, Jabado N, Bazarbachi A, Eppert K. Mutant H3 histones drive human pre-leukemic hematopoietic stem cell expansion and promote leukemic aggressiveness. Nat Commun. 2019 Jun 2810(1):2891. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-10705-z. PMID: 31253791; PMCID: PMC6599207.- Sherri N, Salloum N, Mouawad C, Haidar-Ahmad N, Shirinian M, Rahal EA. Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Enhances Diptericin Expression and Increases Hemocyte Numbers in Drosophila melanogaster via the Immune Deficiency Pathway. Front Microbiol. 2018 Jun 11;9:1268. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01268. PMID: 29942298; PMCID: PMC6004391.- Hleihel R, Khoshnood B, Dacklin I, Omran H, Mouawad C, Dassouki Z, El-Sabban M, Shirinian M, Grabbe C, Bazarbachi A. The HTLV-1 oncoprotein Tax is modified by the ubiquitin related modifier 1 (Urm1). Retrovirology. 2018 Apr 17;15(1):33. doi: 10.1186/s12977-018-0415-4. PMID: 29665857; PMCID: PMC5904992.