Bio: Dr. Abou-Kheir has a broad background in cell biology and cancer research, with specific training and expertise in cancer stem cells in solid tumors. After obtaining his B.Sc. (Lebanese University-Biology) and M.Sc. (American University of Beirut-Biology), he pursued a pre-doctoral fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (NY, USA). As a Ph.D. student, he carried out research on the signaling pathways that control actin cytoskeleton remodeling and that govern the relationship between tumor cells and the microenvironment, especially tumor-associated macrophages. In 2007, he joined the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NCI/NIH; MD, USA), as a Postdoctoral fellow. His work at the NIH focused on understanding prostate cancer progression and on isolating and characterizing cancer stem cells in a mouse model of prostate cancer. In September of 2011, Dr. Abou-Kheir joined the Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine at AUB.
At AUB, Dr. Abou-Kheir built a multidisciplinary research group, The WAKers, that focuses on pressing issues in the stem cells field in both normal and abnormal conditions. In particular, the work focuses on: understanding cancer progression and isolating and therapeutically targeting cancer stem cells in solid tumors (prostate, brain, colon, and bladder cancer); Disease modeling using the new organoids and 3D culture technologies; modulating adult neural stem cells (neurogenesis) as a potential therapeutic intervention. The WAKers became a hub for cancer and stem cells research where the group initiated and delivered many collaborative projects, trained different level personnel, obtained many intramural and extramural grants and produced many high impact publications. At AUB, Dr. Abou-Kheir has trained, mentored and advised more than 60 undergraduate, M.Sc. and medical students, 7 Ph.D. students and 6 postdoctoral fellows. Abou-Kheir is an active member of many international scientific societies like AACR, ISSCR, and SFN. He is also a member and ambassador for the EACR.
Dr. Abou-Kheir is heavily involved in teaching and course coordination at different levels (Undergraduate, Graduate-M.SC. and Ph.D., and Med I and Med II), and serves on many different committees and task forces.