Lea Nehme is an assistant professor in the Agriculture and Food Engineering Department at the School of Engineering and serves as the school’s orientation coordinator. She is also a member of the Technology Transfer Office Board. Having joined USEK in 2021 as a part-time faculty member, Lea transitioned to a full-time role in 2022. Prior to her tenure at USEK, she held teaching positions at several Lebanese universities and assumed the role of Head of the Nutrition Department at the Université Sainte Famille (USF).

Her research interests span a diverse range within the interdisciplinary fields of biotechnology, food processing, and sensory analysis. In biotechnology, her focus involves developing innovative solutions in the food industry and utilizing biotechnological tools for food production and enhancement. Lea is also actively involved in researching and optimizing methods and techniques for transforming raw ingredients into finished food products. This includes exploring novel processing technologies, studying the impact of different processing conditions on food quality, and ensuring overall efficiency and sustainability in food production processes. A significant aspect of her research lies in sensory analysis, where she evaluates the sensory attributes of food products, encompassing taste, aroma, texture, and appearance. Her work in this area extends to developing sensory evaluation methods, understanding consumer preferences, and optimizing product formulations to elevate overall sensory experiences.

Lea has co-authored several refereed articles and collaborated with various NGOs and SMEs on projects related to food product development. This multifaceted engagement underscores her commitment to bridging science, technology, and consumer experience within the dynamic field of food research.

EDUCATION

• PhD in Biotechnology and Food Processing, University of Lorraine – France
• MS in Food Science - Quality control, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) – Lebanon
• BS in Food Science, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) – Lebanon