Ghada-Khawaja

Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Dr. Khawaja obtained her PhD degree from Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, where she worked at Lyon Cancer Research Center focusing her research on the development of a therapeutic DNA vaccination against chronic Hepatitis B infections. She provided first evidence on the efficiency of a novel Electroporation-based DNA delivery approach to cure chronic Hepatitis B, which nowadays, is being clinically tested. She joined BAU in 2012 and became Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Science in 2018. Currently, her research interests focus on cancer epigenetic therapy, autoimmune diseases, particularly Rheumatoid arthritis and the identification of natural compounds with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant or antimicrobial activity.

Undergraduate courses

First Level Courses: Introduction to Biology (Freshman program), Biology I, Biology II, Human Physiology

Second Level Courses: Cell & Molecular Biology, Immunology, Genetics, Cell & Tissue culture

Third Level Courses: Histology, Virology, Biology Senior Project.

Courses offered to Medical Faculties: Microbiology & Immunology for Dentistry level 1 students, Clinical Immunology for Health Science students, and Molecular Biology & Genetics for Medicine students.

General Elective Course offered to all University students:

Work Ready Now Course (since 2020_2021): Teaching and coordinating a university elective course as part of the Higher Education Capacity Development (HECD) Program, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by the Education Development Center (EDC). The Work Ready Now has been implemented as a university mandatory course at BAU from Fall 2024/2025.

Graduate courses

- MS courses: Advanced Immunology, Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology, Advanced Cell Biology, Research Techniques, Tissue Culture Techniques, and Individual Directed Studies.

- PhD course: Seminar in Immunogenetics

• Coordinator of the Work Ready Now course 2023 - present.

• Member of BAU International Relations Committee 2023 - present.

• Member of Faculty Council Committee 2018 - present

• Head of Community Service & Alumni Committee 2019- present

• Head of BAU 3rd Annual Science Fair organizing committee 2022/2023

• Member of BAU Institutional Review Board committee 2022/2023

• Head of student activities committee 2017/2018

• Member of BAU Financial Aid Committee 2017/2018

• Member of Student Activities committee 2013 - 2018

• Member of Quality Assurance Committee 2015/2016

• Head of the organizing committee of BAU 2nd Annual Science Fair event for High School Students 2021/2022

• Head of the organizing committee of BAU Virtual Science Fair event for High School Students (April 12 & 24, 2021).

• Member of the organizing committee of “Harmless use of nuclear and radiation energy” workshop organized in collaboration with the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission (March 28, 2019)

• Member of the organizing committee of the first Student Innovation & Research Conference for Arab Universities & Schools (March 27 & 28, 2018).

• Member of the organizing committee of the first International Youth Leadership Camps at BAU (August 1st to August 12th, 2018).

• Member of the organizing committee of New Trends in Cancer Research workshop (November, 8 2016)

[ 01/05/2025 ] Promotion to Associate Professor Rank at Beirut Arab University 

Acknowledged for outstanding achievements in teaching, research, and community service.

[ 01/10/2024 ] Awarded an Intramural Grant from Beirut Arab University 

[ 10/2008 ] Rhône-Alpes Regional Council Doctoral Research Fellowship (Infectiology, Immunology, Cancerology cluster)

[ 06/2008 ] Claude Bernard Lyon1 University Valedictorian MS graduate 2008

[ 01/09/2012 – Current ] Projects Undertaken, Beirut Arab University

• Characterization of SARS-CoV-2-Specific Immune Responses Induced by Vaccination or Natural Infection.

• Studies of association between genetic variations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and variation in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease susceptibility in the Lebanese population.

• Investigating the therapeutic effect of several promising natural antioxidants with anti-inflammatory activities in modulating the progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis disease and/or circumventing the hepatocellular toxicity induced by conventional treatment using an experimental model for RA in rats known as Adjuvant Induced Arthritis model.

• Investigating complementary & alternative treatment strategies (natural compounds or epigenetic drugs) for Cancer in in vitro setting and deciphering the impact of combined therapy on proapoptotic, antiproliferative and proliferative pathways.

• Molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance and virulence markers.

PUBLICATIONS

[2024] Review: Galangin: A Promising Flavonoid for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis—Mechanisms, Evidence, and Therapeutic Potential. G. Khawaja*, Y. El-Orfali, A. Shoujaa and S. A. Najem. Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17, 963.

[2024] T. Boudieri Extract Potentiates The Effects of Capecitabine Treatment in Human Colon Cancer Cells. K. Sawaya, M. khalil and G. Khawaja. BAU Journal - Science and Technology (2024).

[2024] Silibinin's Effects against Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Rat Model. G. Khawaja,* and Y. El-Orfali. Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(4), 431.

[2024] Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Gene (CNR2) polymorphism and the risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis in Lebanese patients. Morouj Ismail and Ghada Khawaja. Cannabis & Cannabinoid research 2024.

[2024] Rosemary essential oil potentiates the antitumor activity of 5-fluorouracil in human colorectal carcinoma cells. A. El Sala^, G. Khawaja^, M. Khalil, S. Abdel Salam. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.

[2024] Molecular properties prediction, Anticancer and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Some Pyrimido[1,2 b]pyridazin-2-one derivatives. A. Zeiz, R. Kawtharani, M. Elmasri, G.Khawaja, E. Hamade,, M. H. El-Dakdouki*. Bioimpacts.

[2023] Synthesis of Ruthenium Complexes and their Antibacterial and Anticancer Effects. A. Zeiz, S. Chaaya, A. Hijazi, E. Hamade, G. Khawaja, M. H. El-Dakdouki*. Farmacia

[2023] Proapoptotic and Antiproliferative Effects of the Desert Truffle Terfezia boudieri on Colon Cancer Cell Lines. 2023. K. Sawaya, S. A Najem, G. Khawaja, M. Khalil. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

[2019] Adjuvant Epigenetic Therapy of Decitabine and Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Exerts Anti neoplastic Effects in Acute Myeloid Leukemia cells. S. A. Najem, G. Khawaja, M. Hodroj, P. Babikian and S. Rizk. Cells. 2019 8(12).

[2019] Synergistic Effect of Epigenetic Inhibitors; Decitabine and Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid, on Colon Cancer. S.Abou Najem, G. Khawaja, M. Hassan Hodroj, S. Rizk. Current Molecular Pharmacology 2019, 12 (4).

[2019] Effect of Adjuvant Epigenetic Therapy on KG-1 Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells in Vitro. S.A. Najem, G. Khawaja, S. Rizk. Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia 2019, Volume 18, S207

[2018] Association of cannabinoid CB2 receptor gene (CNR2) polymorphism, Q63R variant, with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Lebanese Population. M. Ismail M. & G. Khawaja G*. Clinical Rheumatology 2018, 37:2933.

[2018] Therapeutic Benefits of Indole-3-Carbinol in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis and its Protective Effect against Methotrexate Induced-hepatic Toxicity. Hasan H., Ismail H., El-Orfali Y., Khawaja G.* BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2018.

[2018] Anti-Inflammatory, anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects of trans-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol/sesame oil on adjuvant- induced arthritis in rats. Ismail M., Hasan H., El-Orfali Y., Khawaja G.* Evid.-Based Complementary Altern. Med

[2015] Bacterial Diversity and Biofilm Formation in Drinking Water Distribution System in Lebanon A. Hamiyeh, Z. Olama, G. Khawaja. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci 2015.

[2015] Shiga Toxin-Producing E.coli (STEC) Associated with Lebanese Fresh Produce Khatib A, Olama Z, Khawaja G. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci 2015. Isolation, Purification and Identification of some Multi-Drug Resistant Food-Borne Pathogens in Lebanese Fresh Produce Khatib A, Olama Z, Khawaja G. European Journal of Biology and Medical Sciences Research 2015.

[2012] Enhanced magnitude and breadth of neutralizing humoral response to a DNA vaccine targeting DHBV envelope protein delivered by in vivo electroporation Khawaja G, Buronfosse T, Jamard C, Guerret S, Zoulim F, Evans C, Cova L. Virology 425 (2012)

[2012] In vivo electroporation significantly improves therapeutic potency of a DNA Vaccine targeting Hepadnaviral proteins Khawaja G, Buronfosse T, Guerret S, Zoulim F, Cova L. Journal of Hepatology 2012 vol. 56 (2):S177

[2012] In vivo electroporation improves therapeutic potency of a DNA vaccine targeting hepadnaviral proteins. Khawaja G, Buronfosse T, Abdul F, Jamard C, Zoulim F, Cova L. Virology 433(2012)192–202.

[2011] Co-Administration of Gamma Interferon Gene with DNA Vaccine Expressing Duck Hepatitis B Virus (DHBV) Proteins Enhances Therapeutic Efficacy of DNA-Based Immunization in Chronic Virus Carriers. Saade F, Buronfosse T, Khawaja G, Cova L. Chapter 5, DNA Vaccines. Nova science publishers.

[2011] DRASTIC INCREASE IN PROPHYLACTIC AND THERAPEUTIC POTENCY OF DNA VACCINE TARGETING HEPADNAVIRAL PROTEINS BY IN VIVO ELECTROPORATION 1543 G. Khawaja; T. Buronfosse; C. Jamard; L.Cova. Hepatology. 54(4):1093A, October 2011.