Mrs. Helga FRANCIS KEHDI
Faculty of Science
Assistant professor
(+961) 1 421 000 ext helga.francis@usj.edu.lb
Doctor of Chemistry from the Saint-Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), Helga Francis has solid expertise in the food and packaging sector, with a wealth of experience in teaching, research, and consulting for industry. Holder of a degree in Food Industry Engineering from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie et des Industries Alimentaires in France, she has been laboratory manager of the Analysis and Research Center of the Faculty of Sciences of the USJ since 2008, where she conducts analyses for industry and the public sector, trains interns and participates in innovative research projects. A UNIDO collaborator since 2022, as an international packaging expert, she trains and advises industrial players on packaging standards and processes in developing countries.
Highest degree : PhD in Chemistry - Saint Joseph University of Beirut
+ Education
| Degrees | University | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Saint Joseph University of Beirut | Lebanon | 2023 |
| Food engineering (Packaging subspecialty) | Institut national polytechnique de Lorraine (INPL) | France | 2006 |
| Master BANT | Institut national polytechnique de Lorraine (INPL) | France | 2006 |
| Chemistry | Saint Joseph University of Beirut | Lebanon | 2004 |
| Chemistry | Saint Joseph University of Beirut | Lebanon | 2003 |
+ Teaching outside USJ
| Experience in University Teaching Outside USJ | Country | Institution | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food packaging course | Lebanon | Université Libanaise (UL) | 01/09/2010 | 31/12/2014 |
+ Professionnal experience outside USJ
| Professional Experience | Organization | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Packaging Expert | Unido | 01/08/2022 |
+ Expertise field
Engineering and Technology, Sciences
+ Publications and communications
• Salem, Y., Sunoqrot, S., Rajha, H.N, Abusulieh, S., Afif, C., Francis, H., Touma, J., Louka, N., Maroun, R.G. (2024). Grape seed phenolic extracts encapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles: Characterization in vitro evaluation against skin melanoma. Journal of Drug Delivery Science Technology, Volume 100, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2024.106094. • Francis, H., Debs, E., Maroun, R., & Louka, N. (2024). Enhancing Wheat sprout attributes using “Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum”, an innovative drying–texturizing technology. Agriculture 2024, 14(4), 515 https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14040515 • Francis, H. Debs, E. Koubaa, M.; Alrayess, Z.; Maroun, R.G.; Louka, N. (2022) Sprouts use as functional foods. Optimization of germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds based on their nutritional content evolution. Foods 2022, 11, 1460. https://doi.org/10.3390/ foods11101460 • Francis, H., Debs, E., Maroun, R., & Louka, N. (2020). An eco-friendly process for the preservation of natural nutritious sprouts. 2020 5th International Conference on Renewable Energies for Developing Countries, REDEC 2020, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/REDEC49234.2020.9163874