I am Belgian and Lebanese. I was born in Brussels (Belgium) in 1993 but moved to the South of Lebanon at 3. I lived and studied there until I was 18. Then, I moved back to Brussels for university. I’ve been living in Brussels ever since.

I obtained a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology from ULB. I started my PhD in Immunology in 2016 working on intestinal regulatory T cells under the supervision of Oberdan Leo and Fabienne Andris, which I obtained in 2020.

In 2020, I started working as a postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven, at TARGID. I work with Guy Boeckxstaens on the immune mechanisms leading to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

I speak French, English, Levantine Arabic, Spanish, and have passive understanding of Dutch and Italian.

I have many creative occupations. I am a photographer, musician, singer, poet, improv actor. I am an avid reader and buyer of books. I like visual arts and theatre, visiting new places, and trying out new foods. 

I was a board member of the Belgian Improv Federation (FBIA) for 4 years. I am currently part of multiple immunology societies. I am on the board of the Belgian Immunological Society (BIS) and am the founder and spokesperson of yBIS, its counterpart dedicated to early career researchers. I am also part of the task force of yEFIS, the European network of young immunologists.