NGO Director
Project Director
Outplanting Component Manager
Silviculture Extension Specialist Lebanon Reforestation Initiative

Peer Reviewed publications
Hoover, K., M. Keena, M. Nehme, S. Wang, P. Meng and A. Zhang. 2014. Sex-specific trail pheromone mediates complex mate finding behavior in Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Journal of Chemical Ecology 40 (2): 169-180.
Nehme, M.E., R.T. Trotter, M.A. Keena, C. McFarland, J. Coop, H. Hull-Sanders, P. Meng and K. Hoover. 2014. Development and evaluation of a trapping system for Anoplophora glabripennis in the United States. Environmental Entomology 43 (4): 1034-1044.
Nehme, M.E., M.A. Keena, P. Meng, T. Trotter, C. DeMoraes, M. Mescher, C. McFarland, A. Sawyer and K. Hoover. 2013. Development of a trapping system for Asian longhorned beetle using semiochemicals. Journal of Entomology & Acarology Research 45 (supplement 1): 20-21.
Abou-Jawda, Y., Dakhil, H., Molino Lova, M., Sobh, H., Nehme, M., Abou Fakhr Hammad, E., Alma, A., Samsatly, J., Jawhari, M., Abdul-Nour, H. & Bianco, P. (2011). Preliminary survey of potential vectors of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium' in Lebanon and probability of occurrence of apricot chlorotic leaf roll (ACLR) phytoplasma. Bulletin of Insectology 64. 123-124.
Nehme, M., M. Keena, A. J. Zhang, T. C. Baker, Z. Xu and K. Hoover. 2010. Evaluating the use of male-produced pheromone components and plant volatiles in two trap designs to monitor Anoplophora glabripennis. Environmental Entomology 39 (1): 169-176.
Nehme, M., M. Keena, A. Zhang, T. C. Baker, and K. Hoover. 2009. Attraction of Anoplophora glabripennis to male-produce pheromone and plant volatiles. Environmental Entomology 38 (6):1745-1755.
Diehl WC, Head-Dylla C, Nehme M, Salazar JM, & J. Sun. 2009. Michael Apted's The Up! Series as a Teaching Prompt for Understanding, Collaboration, and New Learning in a Sociology Course Setting Teaching Sociology. 37: 402-412. DOI: 10.1177/0092055X0903700408
Books and Book chapters
Nehme, M., D. Baker and J. Leon. 2009. Green at Fifteen? How 15-year-olds perform in environmental sciences and geosciences in PISA. Program for International Student Assessment. OECD, available at http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/52/12/42467312.pdf.
Mitri, G., Beshara, J. & M. Nehme. 2018. Risk assessment and reflections on socio-economic perception of wildfires at the fireshed level. In Advances in Forest Fire Research. DOI:10.14195/978-989-26-16-506_130 Corpus ID: 195573227

• Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (WAAAUB) Distinguished Alumni Award 2018 for leadership and national-level positive action through Lebanon Reforestation Initiative. (Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences Alumni chapter conference and gala dinner)
• Yendoll Award, PSU Entomology Dept. (Travel award). December 2006, March 2007, December 2007
• College of Ag. Sciences Travel award, Penn State University, December 2006
• Student Leader Scholarship. Penn State University, January 2007
• Ardeth & Norman Frisbey International Student Award, April 2007
• Lloyd E. Adams Memorial Grant-in-aid Award, PSU Entomology Dept., June 2007
• CAS Tagalong fund. Penn State University, September 2007
• Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD) Future Leader Forum Scholarship, June 2008.
• Outstanding University Office of Global Programs volunteer, Penn State University, April 2009
• Horticultural Research Institute Grant, $30,000, 2006-2007.
• USDA-APHIS Cooperative Agreement, Pilot study to optimize trapping system for Asian longhorned beetles, $21,060, 2008
Featured by UN Women in 2022 on International Women’s Day

Maya Nehme is the Director of the Lebanese Reforestation Initiative (LRI), where she leads national efforts to restore Lebanon’s landscapes, strengthen community resilience, and advance sustainable natural resource management. Through her leadership, LRI has grown into one of the country’s most trusted environmental organizations, known for its science-based reforestation approaches, community-driven models, and long-term commitment to ecological restoration. With extensive experience in environmental management, community engagement, and program development, Maya has overseen large-scale national projects focusing on forest restoration, wildfire prevention, rural development, and environmental education. She has worked closely with municipalities, ministries, donors, civil society, and international partners to build collaborative and inclusive models that put local communities at the center of restoration work. Maya is recognized for her ability to bridge technical expertise with grassroots empowerment. Under her guidance, LRI has implemented innovative programs that support women and youth, strengthen rural livelihoods, and promote responsible land stewardship. She has also contributed to shaping national policies and strategies related to reforestation and wildfire management, highlighting the importance of long-term sustainability and evidence-based practices. A dedicated environmental advocate, Maya frequently represents Lebanon in regional and international forums, sharing lessons learned from the country’s reforestation experience and promoting the role of community-led initiatives in addressing climate change and environmental degradation. She is committed to building a greener, more resilient Lebanon through partnerships, innovation, and inclusive development.