IBDAA 2018

181 Pages·2017·12.75 MB·English

Acknowledgements
Preface
The Convention on Biological Diversity
IBDAA, The International Biodiversity Day At AUB
Participating universities
Organizing committee
Members of the jury
Paticipating professors
Participating students
Categories
Abstracts per category
Donors, sponsors, & giveaways
Acknowledgements
The American University of Beirut – Nature Conservation Center (NCC)
has been celebrating IBDAA, the International Biodiversity Day At AUB, for 12 years
now. The Center could not have achieved this legacy of promoting knowledge and
innovation without the support it has received throughout the years.
NCC would like to thank all the students and faculty members who participated in
IBDAA this year, and is grateful to the Jurors who volunteered their time and experti-
se to ensure a fair evaluation of the projects featured this year. Finally, the NCC would
like to acknowledge the hard work and effort of the event’s organizing committee,
which helped make IBDAA a nationwide success.
NCC is thrilled to announce UN Global Compact Network Lebanon and the Darwazah
Center for Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship as official IBDAA donors. The
Center would like to give special thanks to its event sponsor, Jammal Trust Bank, for
its unwavering and continuous support throughout its seven years association, and
investment in the development of certain student projects beyond the competition.
Preface
In 2002,
AUB professors came together with a mutual understanding and respect
for nature, its conservation, and the need to reverse the damages of climate change on
the environment, with that in mind, the Initiative for Biodiversity Studies in Arid Regions
(IBSAR) was born, which grew to host a number of research projects and outreach acti-
vities, and eventually became known as the Nature Conservation Center (NCC).
NCC is the tangible manifestation of a people who aspired to actively better their com-
munity’s quality of life in Lebanon.
The interdisciplinary academic research center focuses on conserving and bettering the
region’ biodiversity through its dynamic approach to nature and unique approach to citi-
zen science.
the convention on biological diversity
1992 saw the largest-ever meeting of world leaders take place in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. A
historic set of agreements was signed at this “Earth Summit”, including the Con-
vention on Biological Diversity, the first global agreement on the conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity. Over 150 governments signed the document, which
has since been rafted by more than 175 countries.
The Convention established three main goals with regards to nature conservation:
the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and
the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.
IBDAA, The International Biodiversity Day At AUB
The United Nations officially dubbed May 22nd the International Day for Biological
Diversity (IBD) in order to raise awareness concerning biodiversity issues. Starting
2007, and with the conviction that the greatest amount of change can only come
from younger generations, NCC began holding the annual International Biodiversi-
ty Day at AUB (IBDAA), which allowed students from all disciplines to partake in a
full-fledged poster forum.
Submitted Projects would focus on nature conservation and the sustainable use of
biodiversity from various angles. IBDAA as a student competition stimulated problem
solving, critical thinking, and decision-making processes, as well as innovation, origi-
nality, and creativity.
Essentially, IBDAA is a platform for students to showcase and share their work, in
turn, highlighting the academic community’s fundamental role in addressing environ-
mental issues and encouraging students to always keep sustainability in mind th-
roughout their future endeavors and careers.
IBDAA 2018’s theme was one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by
the UN for 2030: ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’. The 17 SDGs were put in
place in order to transform the world into a better and sounder place.
On April 27th, 2018, the 12th edition of IBDAA took place at the AUB SAAB Library
Plaza. IBDAA’s nationwide pull and attraction of over 500 students required a gran-
der a stage and AUB delivered. Students presented their projects to peers, faculty,
visitors, and of course, jurors. The impressive exhibition was followed by a short ce-
remony, during which the most outstanding projects in each category were rewarded
with a monetary prize to encourage their efforts towards nature conservation.
Participating Universities
American University of Beirut - AUB
Lebanese American University - LAU
Notre Dame University – Louaize - NDU
Haigazian University
Holy Spirit University of Kaslik - USEK
Lebanese International University - LIU
Modern University for Business and Science - MUBS
Organizing Committee
Dr. Dima Jamali - American University of Beirut
Dr. Georges Yahchouchi / Ms. Nathalie Bouldoukian - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
Dr. Ibrahim Alameddine - American University of Beirut
Dr. Leila Khalaf Kayrouz - Notre Dame University
Dr. Lina Tannir - American University of Beirut
Dr. Majdi Abou Najm - American University of Beirut
Dr. Malaki khoury - American University of Beirut
Dr. Najat Saliba - American University of Beirut
Dr. Rachel Anne Bahn - American University of Beirut
Dr. Rana Azaz - Lebanese International University
Dr. Rima Habib - American University of Beirut
Dr. Sima Hamadeh - Haigazian University
Dr. Tamer Amin - American University of Beirut
Dr. Tanos Hage - Notre Dame University
Dr. Wissam Gash - Modern University for Business and Science
Dr. Wissam Melhem - Notre Dame University
Dr. Zane Siraj Sinno - American University of Beirut
Members of the Jury
Dr. Fadia Homeidan Dr. Bijan Azad
Dr. Fadia Homeidan holds a PhD in Dr. Bijan Azad is an Associate Professor
Clinical Chemistry from the University at the Olayan School of Business (OSB)
of Birmingham, UK. She currently and the Director of the Samih Darwazah
serves as the Director of the Ofce Center for Innovaton Management and
of Grants and Contracts (OGC) at Entrepreneurship. Dr. Azad pioneered
AUB. She is also the Director of the the popular Entrepreneurship
Technology Transfer Unit (TTU) and Practcum graduate course at AUB
most recently, of the Centre for (modeled afer Steve Blank’s Lean
Research and Innovaton (CRInn) at the LaunchPad). In 1988, he co-founded
University. CRInn serves as a resource a successful map technology startup
for AUB students and faculty members in Cambridge, Massachusets. The
interested in entrepreneurship and startup, enttled GIS/Trans, developed
innovaton; it is developing programs a Dual Independent Map Encoding
to help them grow their startups in a system, which was acquired by Etak
wide range of disciplines. Navigator, News Corp in 1995, followed
by KeyHole, and then by Google
Mr. Albert Thoumy Maps in 2004. In 2001 he co-founded
Al is a member of the AUB class of 2002 another successful map technology
and a TV personality, beter-known for startup, ILIS, which was acquired by
his hit TV format Min Al. During his 15- ARCADIS in 2003. Dr. Azad earned his
year TV career, he has hosted several PhD and Master’s degrees from the
shows and primetme pan-Arab events. Massachusets Insttute of Technology
He has conducted celebrity interviews
during his coverage of internatonal Dr. Ramzi Fathallah
art festvals and produced social Ramzi Fathallah is an Assistant Professor at
documentaries. As a producer, he the Olayan School of Business, American Uni-
has also stood behind popular youth versity of Beirut. He joined AUB from Ivey Bu-
programs and other formats. siness School, Western University in Canada
His career behind-the-scenes is more where he pursued his Ph.D. in Entrepreneurs-
business-oriented, as he is a Board hip and International Business. He also earned
Member and Managing Partner previously an MSc. in Management from the
at Crepaway. Al is a passionate London School of Economics and Political
environmentalist and never misses an Science. His research focuses on understan-
opportunity to promote sustainable ding how business ventures survive and grow
development. in adverse environments, particularly in econo-
mically and politically hostile contexts. He has
published work on the internationalization of
entrepreneurial firms and family businesses.
Ms. Ana Larriu Dr. Lina Tannir
Born in Madrid, Spain and raised all over the Finance Lecturer at OSB, Lina Tannir
world. An artist at heart, she leads successful holds an MBA from AUB and is a CFA
yet frustrating studies in economics with a charterholder. She is also a managing
marketing major. Her career starts with a partner in a local franchising company.
5-year search for creativity in top-notch She has publicatons in internatonal
advertising agencies: Leo Burnett and Saatchi academic journals and has published
& Saatchi. Calling for more creation and less case studies. In additon she has
consumerism, she drops the communication extensive professional experience in
industry and successfully launches her own both the public and private sectors,
furniture designs and gallery, Woodstock for having worked as Financial Consultant
almost a decade. The store will turn out to be to the Lebanese Minister of Finance
a platform for Lebanese designers. Recently and the President of the Beiteddine
she’s having the time of her life as a decorator Internatonal Festval. She has also
and interior designer. worked with entrepreneurs on various
initatves such as the MIT Business
Dr. Mohammad Fheili
Plan competton, the CITI Women
With over 35 years of Experience Entrepreneurs Program, the Darwazah
in Banking, Dr. Mohammad Fheili Student Competton at OSB, etc. She
has served as an Economist at serves on the boards of various NGOs
ABL, Organizatonal Planning & and was recently named Chair of the
Development Senior Manager at Board of Assabil Public Libraries.
BankMed, and Chief Risk Ofcer at
Fransabank. He currently serves in the Dr. Toufic el Zein
capacity of Assistant General Manager Toufic el Zein is the Managing director at in-
at Jammal Trust Bank. nov’Action a PR & Communications agency.
A specialist on Capacity Building He established the company with Rim Kray-
and Risk Management, Dr. Fheili has tem in 2000. Part of the Action Global Com-
published over 25 artcles, many of munications Network since 2006 and speciali-
which are in refereed Journals (e.g. zed in PR and communications services.
Journal of Money Laundering & Toufic has an experience as an Art Director in
Control, Journal of Operatonal Risk, publishing books. He was the third generati-
Journal of Law & Economics, etc.) on in a family owned publishing house, Dar al
and Bulletns. Kitab Al Lubnani. 1988 – 2003.
Toufic is passionate about food & cooking. He
cooked for gourmet clientele on many occasi-
ons and gave cooking courses in KitchenLab.
Toufic holds a Bachelor Degree of Fine Arts
from the Lebanese American University and
working on a Master’s Degree in Art Curating
& Critic at Saint Joseph University.
Mr. Joan Younes Dr. Nadine Yehya
Joan Younes earned a Bachelor’s degree Nadine Yehya is an Assistant Professor of
in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Marketing at the Olayan School of Business,
from the Lebanese University in 1997. American University of Beirut (AUB). She
In 2004, he joined AUBMC’s Medical has a PhD in Communications from Brian
Engineering Department. Lamb School of Communications at Purdue
Mr. Younes has extensive knowledge University and an MBA from AUB. She has
in technology transfer and held visiting faculty positions at University of
management, including advanced Central Florida and University of Texas A &M.
research techniques, user training, Yehya conducts research on crisis communi-
maintenance, and operatons of cation and health interventions; her work has
Teaching and Research Labs in FAS, been published in top journals such as Busi-
such as KAS CRSL, Chemistry, Biology, ness Horizons, Communications Research, and
Physics, and Geology. He is also Health Communication. She is the recipient of
experienced in designing, developing, the Research Merit Award at OSB, the Bilsland
and constructng special hardware and Strategic Initiatives Fellowship, and Alan H.
sofware for research. Monroe Graduate Research Scholar Award.
She has worked and lived in Lebanon, Nigeria
Ms. Mona El Hallak and USA. Her experience in the industry inclu-
de serving as the Marketing and Communica-
Mona El Hallak is an architect and heritage
tions Manager at WESS and designing execu-
preservation activist (B Arch 1990 AUB, M
tive education programs on communications
Arch 1994 Syracuse University). She is cur-
and crisis management.
rently the director of the AUB Neighborhood
Initiative aiming to promote the livability and
Dr. Soha Talih
diversity of Ras Beirut through innovative ou-
treach activities and multidisciplinary research. Dr. Soha Talih is a research engineer at the
She led several heritage preservation campa- Mechanical Engineering Department of the
igns and succeeded with the Barakat Building- American University of Beirut (AUB). She
now Beit Beirut, a museum of memory and received her BE in Mechanical Engineering
a cultural urban center. She is a member of from AUB, and her PhD in Biomedical En-
APSAD and a founding member of two NGOs: gineering from the University of Dundee,
IRAB for preserving the Arab world’s musical United Kingdom. Prior to joining the Center for
heritage; and ZAKIRA for promoting photo- Studies of Tobacco Products (CSTP), she com-
graphy and its role in preserving memory. In pleted a year of post-doctoral training at the
2013, she was given the Ordre National du Department of Internal Medicine (AUB Medical
Mérite au grade de Chevalier from the French Center), investigating the effects of in-vitro
Republic in recognition of her achievements in pressure oscillations on distal lung delivery. At
preserving the architectural and cultural herita- the CSTP she works on mathematical mode-
ge of Beirut. ling of the electronic cigarette vaporization
process, as well as investigates mechanisms
for toxicants generation.
Ms. Asma Zein Dr. Pascale Abou Jaoude
Long experience in all kinds of services, from Holder of a Ph.D. degree in Marketing from
Airlines to Hotel Management Transportation the University of Lille1, France. Pascale is the
& Logistics (27 years with Aramex), started a Marketing & Communication Manager at The
new company in 2014 Crypta sal (specialized Asher Center for Innovation and Entrepre-
in information security – and archive storage neurship (ACIE) at the Holy Spirit University of
(whether physical or digital). Succeeded in Kaslik (USEK). Throughout her career, she tries
surviving through the tough years of civil war, to pass on her enthusiasm for entrepreneurs-
managed to operate almost normally, most hip and marketing communications to students
importantly ran and still run a Company with while giving them practical insights on ideation
vision, transparency, flat culture and team con- and business planning. Pascale is also an acti-
cept. They use state of the art technology and ve member of several dissertation committees
the best standards of quality in transportation, and a constant source of support to graduate
in addition to information security. students. Her research interests mainly revolve
around regional tourism, communication, and
Dr. Sima Hamadeh
culture. She’s the recipient of Fulbright Junior
Dr. Sima Hamadeh, Assistant Professor of Faculty Program for Lebanon awarded by the
Public Health Nutrition and Program Coordina- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
tor of Nutrition and Dietetic Sciences at Hai-
gazian University, and a senior lecturer in the Mr. Wassim Kays
Nutrition Master program at USJ. She received Wassim is a graphic designer from the mid-se-
her Master and PhD from University of Mon- venties, a painter and a mosaic artist. He has
treal-Canada, which were awarded respecti- been leading several community development
vely the “Emerald Literati Network Awards for projects across Lebanon since 1996, by invol-
Excellence” and the “Prix d’Excellence Scien- ving youth, NGOs & municipalities in public
tifique Franco-Libanais” from the Société des works by benefiting from art & nature.
Membres de la Légion d’Honneur au Liban & For the past 8 years he served NCC as the
the French Embassy in Lebanon. Dr. Hamadeh community outreach coordinator.
work closely with different ministries, organiz- He is also an independent mosaics artist ba-
ations, and intl institutions. She has several pu- sed in Beirut.
blications related to public health nutrition and
policies, food marketing, and nutrition com-
munication strategies. She has provided many
talks in national and intl scientific congress.
She is also a former member of several execu-
tive intl scientific committees and associations,
and a reviewer for peer-reviewed journals.
Ghaith Abi Ghanem & Jad Melki Mr. Nassim Njeim
GHAITH&JAD is an architecture and design Graduated from AUB with a B.Sc. in Agricultu-
studio based in Beirut, Lebanon, co-founded ral Engineering in 2012, and holds a masters
by Ghaith Abi Ghanem and Jad Melki. Both degree in International Rural Development and
Ghaith and Jad received their degrees in archi- Agricultural Economics in 2016 through an
tecture from the American University of Beirut Erasmus joint program hosted by Ghent Uni-
in 2012, and were each granted the Areen versity, Belgium. Specialized in local economy
Award for Excellence in Architecture for their development and cooperatives at Humboldt
graduating projects. Since their selection as University of Berlin, Germany. Previously a
Starch Foundation Architects in 2014, GHA- livelihood expert at Japan International Co-
ITH&JAD won the iF International Award 2015 operation Agency Study Team to Lebanon
for Interior and Retail Design, and designed an and currently Founder of Caesar cider, a value
experiential installation, Projection Lines, for added product in the apple value chain that
the opening of the Dubai Design District d3, was initiated in response to the apple crisis in
2015. In 2016, GHAITH&JAD were commis- Lebanon. Nassim is a member of the global
sioned to design an exhibition for the 150th shapers under the world economic forum.
anniversary of the American University of
Beirut. The public pavilion they created housed
Mr. Abbass Sibai
the exhibition genus: nation, gender, status. At
Mr. Sibai is Co-founder of Live Love Lebanon
Dubai Design Week they launched Blue, the
(known as Live Love Beirut) Abbas Sibai has
first piece in their line of innovative lighting,
a diverse working experience in advocacy &
and in Beirut they unveiled a custom interior
public policy on topics that range from youth
installation at gilt. In 2017, they were selected
empowerment, tobacco control, and cultural
to be part of Kindling - an exhibition curated
advocacy. Abbas works nationally & internatio-
by Rachel Dedman for Fotopub Festival 2017
nally with concerned stakeholders to generate
in Novo Mesto – Slovenia in which they pre-
the awareness, resources, partnerships and
sented their take on photography through their
policy changes necessary to achieve success.
material exploration. They are the recipients
MEPI affiliated by participating Leader of De-
of the Next Generation Lafarge Holcim Award
mocracy Fellowship program, United States of
2017 for their research project “Recovering
America in 2013. Affiliations and Disclosures
Aleppo’s Topography” developed with En-
Vice President of MEPI LAA, Corporate En-
gineer Nour Madi to create a civic engagement
gagement Coordinator at Search for Common
and concrete recycling facility for post conflict
Ground, Global Shaper at Global Shapers
situations – taking Aleppo as their specific
Community World Economic Forum, Co-Foun-
case study. Recently they were awarded the
der of Aie Serve, Speaker at TedxLAU, Cam-
1st prize of the 2017 Génération Orient yearly
paigner for Tobacco Control, Past President &
contest, organized by the L’Orient-Le Jour,
Past District Secretary for Rotaract 2452.
which aims at shedding light on 12 up-and-
coming local talents from various disciplines
over the course of a year.
They continue their design explorations th-
rough their studio at Mansion, a reclaimed
19th century residence that houses multidisci-
plinary designers under one roof.