Sara-Khalife

ORCID: 0000-0001-7326-0477

Scopus: 57214684879

Dr. Sara Khalife is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Laboratory Technology at Beirut Arab University. She earned her B.Sc. in Biochemistry (2009) and M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology with Honors (2011) from the Lebanese University. She subsequently pursued a joint Ph.D. program between the Lebanese University and the University of Lille 2 (France), where she obtained dual Ph.D. degrees in Medical and Food Microbiology and Biology and Physiology of Organisms. Her doctoral research earned her the prestigious ANOFEL Prize and the University of Lille 2 Prize for Best Thesis in recognition of her outstanding scientific contributions.

Following the completion of her Ph.D., Dr. Khalife held teaching appointments at the Lebanese University before joining Beirut Arab University in 2016 as an Assistant Professor of Microbiology, later earning promotion to Associate Professor.

In 2021, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Georgia (USA), where she expanded her research expertise in microbial pathogenesis and host–pathogen interactions. In 2023, she was awarded the Safar Mobility Grant by the French Embassy in Lebanon under the High-Level Scientific Residency Program, supporting her ongoing collaborative research in France.

Dr. Khalife’s research centers on the epidemiology, transmission, and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens, with particular emphasis on airborne transmission dynamics, lung defense mechanisms, and pathogen elimination processes. She has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences and has published extensively in leading peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she serves on the editorial boards of several scientific journals, contributing actively to the advancement of microbiological research.

At Beirut Arab University, Dr. Khalife has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Virology, Healthcare Law and Bioethics, Food Technology, Biochemistry, Evidence-Based Laboratory Research, Infection Control and Management, Food Chemistry, Quality Control and Laboratory Management, Advanced Clinical Laboratory Microbiology, Environmental Sciences and Biomedicine, and Research Methodology and Scientific Writing. She is committed to fostering an engaging and dynamic learning environment and continuously strives to integrate innovative teaching methodologies to enhance student learning and critical thinking.

Fall Courses

• Biochemistry (3 crs)
• Environmental Sciences and Biomedicine (3 crs)
• Infection Control (2 crs)
• Infection Control and Management (3 crs)
• Food Chemistry (3 crs)
• Quality Control and Laboratory Management (3 crs)
• Advanced Clinical Laboratory Microbiology (3 cr)
• Research Methodology And Scientific Writing (3 crs)
• Medical Parasitology (3 crs)

Spring Courses

• Biochemistry (3 crs)
• Food Technology (3 crs)
• Microbiology (3 crs)
• Principles of Nutrition (2 crs)
• Evidence Based Laboratory Research (1 cr)
• Advanced Clinical Laboratory Bacteriology (3 crs)
• Diagnostic Laboratory Procedures (3 crs)

Dr. Sara Khalife’s research centers on infectious disease epidemiology, zoonotic transmission, and molecular microbiology within the context of the One Health approach. Her work integrates serological, molecular, and epidemiological methodologies to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and genetic characteristics of key pathogens affecting both humans and animals, including SARS-CoV-2, Toxoplasma gondii, Hepatitis E virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and Feline Leukemia Virus.

In parallel, Dr. Khalife conducts research on medical mycology, focusing on Aspergillus and Pneumocystis species to elucidate antifungal resistance mechanisms and host–pathogen interactions. She also explores the genetic determinants of reproductive health disorders, particularly the association between inherited thrombophilia and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Through her multidisciplinary investigations, Dr. Khalife aims to advance the understanding of pathogen ecology, cross-species transmission, and molecular diagnostics, thereby contributing to evidence-based disease control and public health strategies.

• ANOFEL Prize (French Association of Teachers in Parasitology and Mycology) - Eduardo Dei- Cas prize for the best Ph.D. thesis for the year 2014.
• University of Lille 2 Prize for the best Ph.D. thesis at the faculty of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences for the year 2014.

• Rabacal W, Hu A, Khalife S, Kim G, Norris KA. Experimental Pneumocystis infection in dexamethasone immunosuppressed macaques. Med Mycol. 2025;63(9):myaf083. doi:10.1093/mmy/myaf083.
• Mitri R, Ziade F, Khalife S. Emotional Eating and Mental Health Among Lebanese University Students During COVID-19 Outbreak. J Nutr Metab. 2025;2025:8858430. Published 2025 Feb 26. doi:10.1155/jnme/8858430.
• Khalife S, Osman M, Moubayed S, Kassem II, El Safadi D. Risk Factors and Hospitalizations Associated with Pediatric Adenovirus and Rotavirus Infections in Northern Lebanon. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025;61(2):296. Published 2025 Feb 8. doi:10.3390/medicina61020296.
• Khalife S, El Safadi D. Salmonella Prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile in raw poultry meat sold in North Lebanon: Insights from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis. Prev Vet Med. 2024; 230:106299. doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106299.
• Khalife S, El Safadi D. Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered chickens in Tripoli, Lebanon. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 2023. https://doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100941. Epub 2023 Oct 20. PMID: 37935542.
• El Safadi D, Osman M, Hanna A, Hajar I, Kassem II, Khalife S, Dabboussi F, Hamze M. Parasitic Contamination of Fresh Leafy Green Vegetables Sold in Northern Lebanon. Pathogens. 2023 Aug 4;12(8):1014. doi: 10.3390/pathogens12081014. PMID: 37623974; PMCID: PMC10459145.
• Moubayed S, Ghazzawi J, Mitri R, Khalife S. Recent Data Characterizing the Prevalence and Resistance Patterns of FimH-producing Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infections in North Lebanon. Arch Clin Infect Dis.
• Mitri R, Khalife S, Ziade F. Determinants of health-related quality of life among adolescents: The role of the Mediterranean diet [Déterminants de la qualité de vie liée à la santé chez les adolescents : le rôle de la diète méditerranéenne]. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique. 2023 Oct;71(5):102148. French. doi: 10.1016/j.respe.2023.102148. Epub 2023 Sep 2. PMID: 37666033.
• Khalife S, Abdallah M. High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in household cats and dogs of Lebanon [published online ahead of print, 2023 Feb 21]. Res Vet Sci. 2023;157:13-16. doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.02.005.
• Khalife S, Kassaa IA. Occurrence and risk factors of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) in cats of Lebanon. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2023;93:101931. doi:10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101931.
• Khalife S, Moubayed S, Mitri R, Geitani R, Safadi DE. Seroprevalence and risk assessment of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats in North and Beqaa governorates of Lebanon. Vet World. 2022;15(9):2180-2185. doi:10.14202/vetworld.2022.2180-2185.
• Ghazzawi J, Moubayed S, Khalife S. Seroepidemiology and risk assessment of Hepatitis E virus among blood donors in North Lebanon. Arch Clin Infect Dis. 2022; 17(3) e12915.
• Khalife S, Geitani R. Association of Inherited Thrombophilia with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in A Population of Lebanese Women: A Case Control Study. Int J Fertil Steril. 2022;16(3):247-251. Published 2022 Aug 21. doi:10.22074/ijfs.2022.540950.1205.
• Khalife S, Resendiz-Sharpe A, Lagrou K, Fréalle E. Molecular identification and azole   susceptibility testing of Aspergillus section Fumigati isolated from soil samples in Lebanon. J Mycol Med. 2022;32(2):101242. doi:10.1016/j.mycmed.2021.101242.
• Khalife S, Bissar-Tadmouri N. Inherited Thrombophilia in a Lebanese Family of Four Generations: A   Case Report of Recurrent Miscarriage. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2020;16:53-56. Published 2020 Jan 21. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S235784.
• Khalife S, Chabé M, Gantois N, et al. Relationship Between Pneumocystis carinii Burden and the Degree of Host Immunosuppression in an Airborne Transmission Experimental Model. J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2016;63(3):309-317. doi:10.1111/jeu.12280.
• Khalife S, Aliouat EM, Aliouat-Denis CM, et al. First data on Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization in patients with respiratory diseases in North Lebanon. New Microbes New Infect. 2015;6:11-14. Published 2015 Mar 4. doi:10.1016/j.nmni.2015.02.006.
• Standaert-Vitse A, Aliouat-Denis CM, Martinez A, Khalife S, et al. SYTO-13, a Viability Marker as a New Tool to Monitor In Vitro Pharmacodynamic Parameters of Anti-Pneumocystis Drugs. PLoS One. 2015;10(6):e0130358. Published 2015 Jun 23. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0130358.
• Khalife S, Aliouat el M, Gantois N, et al. Complementation of a manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase-deficient yeast strain with Pneumocystis carinii sod2 gene. Fungal Biol. 2014;118(11):885-895. doi:10.1016/j.funbio.2014.07.007.
• Chabé M, Khalife S, Gantois N, Even G, Audebert C. An improved single-round PCR leads to rapid and highly sensitive detection of Pneumocystis spp. Med Mycol. 2014;52(8):841-846. doi:10.1093/mmy/myu032.

- Khalife S, Resendiz-Sharpe A, Lagrou K, Fréalle E. Aspergillus Section Fumigati Isolated from Soil Samples in Lebanon: Molecular Identification and Azole Susceptibility Testing, fourth International conference on Microbiology and Immunology, London, 2024.

- Khalife S, El Safadi D. First study on the seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered chickens in Tripoli, Lebanon, fourth International conference on Microbiology and Immunology, London, 2024.

- Khalife S, Abdallah M. High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in household cats and dogs of Lebanon, Third International conference on Microbiology and Immunology, Dubai, 2023.

- Khalife S, Resendiz-Sharpe A, Lagrou K, Fréalle E. First description of Azole-resistant Aspergillus section Fumigati in soil samples in Lebanon, Third International conference on Microbiology and Immunology, Dubai, 2023.

- Khalife S, Standaert-Vitse A, Gantois N, Jakobczy H, Chabe M, Pottier M, Dei – Cas E, Dabboussi F, Hamze M, Aliouat EM, Aliouat CM, “Molecular cloning and functional characterization of Pneumocystis carinii MnSOD”, International Workshop on Opportunistic Protists, Spain, 2014.

- Khalife S, Chabe M, Gantois N, Audebert C, Pottier M, Dabboussi F, Hamze M, Hlais S, Aliouat-Denis CM, Aliouat EM, “Etude de la colonisation par Pneumocystis carinii en fonction du degré d’immunodépression dans un modèle naturel de transmission aérienne du microchampignon”, Congrès de la Société Française de Mycologie Médicale, France, 2014.

- Standaert A, Aliouat- Denis CM, Martinez A, Khalife S, Pottier M, Gantois N, Dei- Cas E, Aliouat EM, “SYTO®-13, a new viability marker as a tool to monitor in vitro pharmacodynamic parameters of anti Pneumocystis drugs”, International Workshop on Opportunistic Protists, Spain, 2014.

- Khalife S, Aliouat EM, Aliouat-Denis CM, Gantois N, Devos P, Mallat H, Dei-Cas E, Dabboussi F, Hamze M, Frealle E, “Occurrence of Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization and predominance of mtLSU genotype 2 in patients with respiratory diseases in North Lebanon”, International Workshop on Opportunistic Protists, Spain, 2014.

- Khalife S, Chabe M, Gantois N, Audebert C, Pottier M, Hlais S, Pincon C, Chassat T, Pierrot C, Khalife J, Aliouat-Denis CM, Aliouat EM, “Relationship between Pneumocystis carinii colonization and the degree of host immunosuppression in an airborne transmission experimental model”, International Workshop on Opportunistic Protists, Spain, 2014.

- Chabe M, Khalife S, Gantois N, Even G, Audebert C “An improved single-round PCR leads to rapid and highly sensitive detection of Pneumocystis spp”, International Workshop on Opportunistic Protists, Spain, 2014.

- Khalife S, Hamze M, Aliouat EM. Etude de la colonisation par Pneumocystis carinii en fonction du degré d’immunodépression dans un modèle naturel de transmission aérienne du microchampignon. (Oral communication). Congrès de la Société Française de Mycologie Médicale, Reims, France (May 2014).

- Khalife S, Hamze M, Aliouat EM. Compréhension du cycle biologique de Pneumocystis spp, de sa transmission et du risque infectieux associé au statut immunitaire de l’hôte. (Poster). 13ème Journée André Verbert (JAV), Faculty of medicine of Lille, France. (September 18, 2013).

• Member of Faculty Council Committee
• Member of Advising Committee
• Member of Accreditation Committee
• Coordinator of Research Committee
• Coordinator of Quality Control Committee
• Februar 5-7, 2018: Attending a workshop entitled: Assessment of Aspergillus fumigatus azole resistance using Molecular tools. Center of Biology and Pathology of Lille, France.
• February 5-10, 2018: Practical training on the detection of azole resistant fungi (environmental sampling, mycological analysis of clinical and Environmental samples, mold identification and conservation, antifungal MIC determination, Molecular identification of isolates, Characterization of mutations by sequencing). Pasteur Institute of Lille, France.
• March 2013: Practical training on BD FACS Calibur TM flow cytometer, Pasteur Institute of Lille, France.
• January 2012: Experimental Animal Model, European Certificate, Pasteur Institute of Lille, France.

Safar Mobility Grant, French embassy in Lebanon, high-level scientific residency plan, 2023.