About

Zeina Akiki, PhD

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology

Dr. Zeina Akiki joined the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine in January 2024, as an Assistant Professor in Epidemiology. Dr. Akiki holds a bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory (2002) and Master of Sciences in Epidemiology and Biostatistics (2012), both from the Lebanese University. She also holds a PhD in Public Health, specialty Epidemiology (2016) from the University of Paris Sud (Paris 11) /Université Paris Saclay, doctoral school of Public Health  within the framework of the co-supervision thesis program with the Lebanese University. She trained at the prestigious Center for Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP), INSERM U1018, Respiratory and Environmental Epidemiology Team and in the Aging and Chronic Diseases unit, Epidemiological and public health approaches, INSERM U1168. Most of her research work focused on evaluating the associations between blood biomarkers and asthma and COPD outcomes at the population level. She conducted analysis on one of the largest epidemiologic databases in Europe (EGEA - Epidemiological study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopy). Moreover, she worked on questionnaires validation in Arabic,  Knowledge attitude and practice studies, lifestyle behaviors, medical education and mental health.

Dr. Akiki has more than ten years of academic and administrative experience, including teaching both graduate and undergraduate students, advising students, developing curricula, chairing scientific committees, and supervising student research projects. More recently she headed the Department of Medical Laboratory at the Lebanese university. She is also an active member of INSPECT-LB professional organization. Her primary research interests are in public health, blood biomarkers, epidemiology, behavioral health, and chronic diseases, particularly asthma and COPD. She has presented her research findings at international conferences and has published in prestigious journals.

Selected Publications

  1. Safwan J, Hammoudi Halat D, Akel M, Younes S, Rahal M, Mourad N, Akiki Z, Cherfane M, Saade F, Bouraad E, Dabbous M, Sakr F (2023). The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Lebanese pharmacists: A national cross-sectional study. Front Public Health. 13 (11). DOI: 10.3389/ fpubh.2023.1156840.
  2. Granger V, Zerimech F, Arab J, Siroux V, de Nadai P, Tsicopoulos A, Matran R, Akiki Z, Nadif R (2022). Blood Eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin are associated with different asthma expression and evolution in adults from the EGEA cohort. Thorax.77(6):552 – 562.
  3. Sakr F, Akiki Z, Dabbous M, Salameh P, Akel M (2021). The role of pharmacists in providing immunization to the general population: Are Lebanese pharmacists ready for this role? Pharmacy Practice. 19 (4).
  4. Akiki Z, Saadeh D, Hallit S, Sacre H, Hosseini H, Salameh P (2021). Asthma prevalence and associated factors among lebanese adults: the first national survey. BMC Pulm Med. 21(1): 162.
  5. Akiki Z, Saadeh D, Haddad C, Sacre H, Hallit S, Salameh P (2020). Knowledge and Attitudes toward Cigarette and Narghile Smoking among Previous Smokers in Lebanon. Env Sci Res Pollut. 27 (12):14100 – 14107.
  6. Tamim H, Zeineldine S, Tabbara F, Khoury S, Akiki Z, Khansa S, & Taher A (2019). Structure and evaluation of a residency research program in a university hospital. BMC Medical Education. 19 (1): 406.
  7. Akiki Z, Andrianjafimasy M, Zerimech F, Le Moual N, Siroux V, Dumas O, Matran R, & Nadif R (2019). High level of fluorescent oxidation products and worsening of asthma control over time. Respiratory Research. 20 (1): 203.
  8. Akiki Z, Hallit S, Layoun N, Cherfane M, Sacre H, Waked M, & Salameh P (2019). Validation of the St George’s respiratory questionnaire and risks factors affecting the quality of life of Lebanese COPD and asthma patients. The Journal of Asthma: Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma. 56 (11); 1212 – 1221.
  9. Fakih D, Akiki Z, Junker K, Medlej-Hashim M, Waked M, Salameh P, Holmskov U, Bouharoun-Tayoun H, Chamat S, Sorensen GL, & Jounblat R (2018). Surfactant protein D multimerization and gene polymorphism in COPD and asthma. Respirology (Carlton, Vic.). 23 (3): 298 – 305.
  10. Akiki Z, Rava M, Diaz Gil O, Pin I, le Moual N, Siroux V, Guerra S, Chamat S, Matran R, Fitó M, Salameh P, & Nadif R (2017). Serum cytokine profiles as predictors of asthma control in adults from the EGEA study. Respiratory Medicine. 125: 57 – 64.

View Dr. Akiki’s publications

Professional and Research Interests

Education and Training

Professional Organizations, Memberships, Affiliations, and/or Honors

Founding member of INSPECT -lb: institut national de santé publique, d’épidémiologie clinique et de toxicologie - Liban – Clinical Epidemiology Axis & Public Health Axis since 2018.

Keywords

Epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, asthma, COPD, blood biomarkers, knowledge, attitude and practices, score validation, lifestyle behavior