Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat
Personal information
Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat
Professor, Researcher, Chairperson
Contact information (Work)
Saint Joseph University
+961 1 421382
Social Media
Education
Education:
- Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR), 2015, Paris XI University, France.
- Doctorate Degree, Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology, 1999-2001, Pierre & Marie Curie (Paris VI) University, France.
- Postgraduate diploma (Diplôme d'études approfondies), Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology, 1997-1998, University of Picardie Jules Verne, France.
- Master's Degree, Animal Biology, Ecology and Hydrobiology, 1993-1997, Lebanese University, Lebanon.
Work history
Previous Professions:
- Chair of the Life and Earth Science department, 2012-present, Saint Joseph University.
- Chair of the Master's Degree programs (Biomarketing & Molecular Biology), 2006-2012, Saint Joseph University.
- Full Professor, 2015 - present, Saint Joseph University.
- Associate Professor, 2006-2015, Saint Joseph University.
- Assistant Professor, 2004-2006, Saint Joseph University.
- University lecturer and researcher, 2001-2003, Saint Joseph University.
Major Achievements
Publications (Books, Articles, Reports, etc.):
- Sekiewicz K., Dering M., Romo A., Bou Dagher-Kharrat M., Boratynska K., Boratynski A. (2018). Phylogenetic and biogeographic insights into long-lived Mediterranean Cupressus taxa with a schizo-endemic distribution and Tertiary origin. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society; 188(2):190-212.
- Viruel J., Haguenauer A., Juin M., Mirleau F., Bouteiller D., Bou Dagher-Kharrat M., Ouahmane L., La Malfa S., Medail F., Sanguin H., Nieto Feliner G., Baumel A.. (2018) Advances on genotyping microsatellite markers through sequencing and consequences of scoring methods for Ceratonia siliqua L. (Leguminosae). Applications in Plant Sciences; 6(12):e1201., DOI:10.1002/aps3.1201
- Donmez A., Bou Dagher-Kharrat M., Ugurlu Aydin Z.. (2018) Two new records (Sorbus persica, Cotoneaster morulus) for the Lebanon flora. 2018. Biological Diversity and Conservation. ISSN 1308-8084. 11/2 12-15
- Baumel A, Mirleau P, Viruel J, Bou Dagher Kharrat M, La Malfa S, Ouahmane L, Diadema K, Moakhar M, Sanguin H, Medail F. (2018) Assessment of plant species diversity associated with the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua, Fabaceae) at the Mediterranean scale. Plant Ecology and Evolution, 151(2): 185-193.
- Marignani, Bruschi, Astiaso Garcia, Frondoni, Carli, Pinna, Cumo, Gugliermetti, Saatkamp, Doxa, Martin Queller, Chaieb, Bou Dagher, El Zein, El Jeitani, Khater, Mansour, Al-Shami, Harik, Alameddine, El Fadel, Blasi: (2017). Identification and prioritization of areas with high environmental risk in Mediterranean coastal areas: A flexible approach. Science of The Total Environment;
- Kilia N, Hand R., Hadjikyriakou G., Christodoulou C., Bou Dagher Kharrat M. (2017). Astartoseris (Cichorieae, Asteraceae), a new, systematically isolated monospecific genus accommodating Lactuca triquetra endemic to Lebanon and Cyprus. Willdenowia 47(2).
- Bou Dagher-Kharrat M., El Zein H., Rouhan G., Setting conservation priorities for Lebanese flora-Identification of important plant areas, In Journal for Nature Conservation, (2017), ISSN 1617-1381,.
- Platt D., Haber M., Bou Dagher-Kharrat M., Douaihy B., Khazen G., Ashrafian Bonab M., Salloum A., Mouzaya F., Luiselli D., Tyler-Smith C., Renfrew C., Matisoo-Smith E., Zalloua P. (2017) : Mapping Post-Glacial expansions: The Peopling of Southwest Asia. Scientific Reports; 7:40338., DOI:10.1038/srep40338
- Fady B., Bou, Dagher Kharrat M., et al. (2016). Evolution-based approach needed for the conservation and silviculture of peripheral forest tree populations. Forest Ecology and Management; 375:66-75., DOI:10.1016/j.foreco.2016.05.015
- Hardion L., Dumas P.J., Abdel-Samad F., Bou Dagher Kharrat M., Surina B., Affre L., Medail F., Bacchetta G., Baumel A. (2016). Geographical isolation caused the diversification of the Mediterranean thorny cushion-like Astragalus L. sect. Tragacantha DC. (Fabaceae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 97:187-195. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.01.006
- Sobierajska K., Boratynska K., Jasinska A., DeringM., Ok T, Douaihy B., Bou Dagher-Kharrat M., Romo A., Boratynski A. (2016). Effect of the Aegean Sea barrier between Europe and Asia on differentiation in Juniperus drupacea (Cupressaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 180 (3): 365 - 385.
- Gauquelin T. Michon G., Joffre R., Duponnois R., Genin D., Fady B., Bou Dagher Kharrat M., et al. (2016). Mediterranean forests, land use and climate change: a social-ecological perspective. Regional Environmental Change. DOI: 10.1007/s10113-016-0994-3.
- Abdel Samad N., Bou Dagher-Kharrat M., El Zein R., Douaihy B., Hidalgo O., Siljak-Yakovlev S. (2016). Unlocking the karyological and cytogenetic diversity of Iris from Lebanon: Oncocyclus section shows a distinctive profile and relative stasis during its continental radiation. PLOS ONE DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0160816
- Bou Dagher–Kharrat, M., Abdel-Samad, N., Douaihy, B., Bourge, M., Fridlender, A., Siljak-Yakovlev, S. & Brown, S.C. (2013). DNA C-values for biodiversity screening: Case of the Lebanese flora. Plant biosystems, 147(4), 1228-1237. DOI 10.1080/11263504.2013.861530.
- Bou Dagher-Kharrat, M., Abdel Samad, F., Juin, M., Baumel, A., Pavon, D., Silkak-Yakovlev, S., & Médail, F. (2013). Phylogenetic diversity and genome sizes of Astragalus (Fabaceae) in the Lebanon biogeographical crossroads. Plant systematics and evolution. DOI 10.1007/s00606-013-0921-8.
- Bou Dagher-Kharrat, M., Douaihy, B., Restoux, G., & Machon, N. (2013). Ecological characterization of the Juniperus excelsa stands in Lebanon. Ecologia Meditteranea, 39,169 – 180.
- Bou Dagher-Kharrat, M., Douaihy, B., Sobierajska, K., Jasińska, A. K., Boratyńska, K., Ok, T., Romo, A., Machon, N., Didukh, Y., & Boratyński A., (2012). Morphological versus molecular markers to describe variability in Juniperus excelsa subsp. excelsa (Cupressaceae). AoB plantsDOI 10.1093/aobpla/pls013 - it has been honored as "Editor's Choice" in April 2013.
- Bou Dagher-Kharrat, M., Douaihy, B., Chetverikov, P., & Machon, N.(2011). Eriophyoid Mite of the Genus Trisetacus reported on Juniperus excelsa in Lebanon. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 4 , 395-399.
- Bou Dagher-Kharrat, M., Douaihy, B., Vendramin G., Boratyński, A., & Machon, N. (2011). High genetic diversity with moderate differentiation in Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. from Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean Region. AOB Plants. DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/PLR003.
- Bou Dagher-Kharrat, M., Mariette, S., Fady, B., Lefèvre, F., Grenier, G., Plomion, C. & Savouré, A. (2007). Geographical diversity and genetic relationships among Cedrus species assayed by AFLP. Tree Genetics & Genomes 3, 275-285.
- Bou Dagher-Kharrat, M., Fady, B., Lefèvre, F., Reynaud, M., Vendramin, G.G., Andizei, M., Pastorelli, R., Savouré, A., & Bariteau, M. (2003). Gene flow among different taxonomic units: Evidence from nuclear and cytoplasmic markers in Cedrus plantation forests. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 107,1132-1138.
Exhibitions, lectures & performances:
- Invited speaker on "Identifying biodiversity-related success factors of ecological restoration projects (Lebanon): Implementing the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration – Resources, case studies, and the role of technical and scientific cooperation," COP-14 Fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, November 14-22, 2018.
- Invited keynote speaker on "Overview of habitat restoration and habitat approaches," 2nd Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week, "Conservation of Mediterranean Plant Diversity: Complementary Approaches and New Perspectives,” La Valetta, Malta, November 12-16, 2018.
- Panelist on “Creating value from Mediterranean forests for rural and urban communities: Forests interconnecting sustainable development goals to action,” European Forest Institute and EUFORGEN annual meeting, Alghero, Sardinia, September 24-28, 2018.
- Invited keynote speaker on "Genetic Diversity Patterns of Eastern Mediterranean Conifers," International conference "Biology and Ecology of Woody Plants," Poznań/Kórnik, June 11-13, 2018.
- Speaker on "Identifying biodiversity-related success factors of ecological restoration projects - Mount Lebanon, Lebanon," World Conference on Ecological Restoration organized by the Society for Ecological Restoration, Iguazu, Brazil, August 26, 2017.
- Invited speaker on "Sustainable restoration of Mediterranean forests: Analysis and perspective within the context of bio-based economy development under global changes," Palermo, April 18-22, 2017.
- Invited speaker on "Genetic insights for Juniperus genus marginal populations," Marginal and Peripheral Tree Populations: A Key Genetic Resource for European Forests, Arezzo, Italy, September 26-29, 2016.
- Invited speaker on "Setting conservation priorities is a priority: Case of Lebanese flora," 1st Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week, Ulcinj, Montenegro, October 2016.
- Invited speaker on "Biodiversity conservation trilogy: Explore, valorize, and protect," Biodiversity Conservation Meeting, Conservation Studies on Mediterranean Threatened Flora and Vegetation, X International Meeting on Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Sardinia, June 13-18, 2016.
- Speaker on "Phylogenetics and genetic diversity of endemic Irises of Lebanon," Monocots V Conference, Fordham University, New York, 2013.
- Guest speaker on "Genome organization, genetic diversity, and relationships in Cedrus Genus," presented jointly with François Lefevre, Bruno Fady, Stephanie Mariette, Arnould Savouré, IUFRO TREE BIOTECHNOLOGY, Ponta Delgada, Portugal, June 3-8, 2007.
- Invited speaker on "Phylogeny of Cedrus genus: Cytogenetic and molecular approaches," presented jointly with Sonja Yakovlev, XIIème OPTIMA meeting, Pisa, Italy, September 10-16, 2007.
- Invited speaker on "Gender rights, right to environment security, right to social progress, economic enterprise, and political participation: Women's condition and female movements in the Arab and Islamic countries," conference entitled "Le Liban, Joyau vert de l'orient entre splendeur et calamité" [Lebanon, Green Jewel of the East Between Splendor and Calamity], October 1-2, 2008.
- Invited speaker on "When cytogenetic and molecular markers help with understanding the phylogeny of the genus Cedrus," Conference on BioSystematics, Berlin, Germany, February 21-27, 2011.
- Invited speaker on "Lebanon biodiversity under threat," workshop organized by MISTRALS, La Valleta, Malta, March 30 - April 2, 2011.
- Invited speaker on "Recherches conduites aujourd'hui sur la biodiversité terrestre au Liban" [Recent research conducted on terrestrial biodiversity in Lebanon], program workshop on Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Experiment organized by Chantier MISTRALS, Marseille, November 8-9, 2011.
- Speaker on "Nuclear DNA C-values measurements as a rapid tool for biodiversity screening: Case of the Lebanese flora," XX Plant and Animal Genome Conference, San Diego, California, January 14-18, 2012.
- Invited speaker on "Genetic diversity assessment of conservation of Cedrus and Juniperus in Lebanon: Store, certify, and exchange the role of biobanks for research and protection of forest biodiversity," Viterbo, Italy, April 19-21, 2012.
Accomplishments
Distinctions:
- Selected to join the International Visitors Leadership program "Women's Innovations in Science and Engineering" (WISE) by the U.S. department of State for her distinctive scientific work and opinion leader for plant conservation in Lebanon, 2013.
- Nominated as "Outstanding Woman Scientist", Women in Science Hall of Fame 2011-2012 for her distinctive scientific work and opinion leader for plant conservation in Lebanon, 2012. (a program managed by the U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East and North Africa).
Awards:
- Received the UNESCO-L'OREAL award for "Women in Science", for creating the first data base about Lebanon-flora promoting endemic plants, 2008.
Competences & Skills
Field(s) of Expertise:
- Biodiversity
- Reforestation
- Endemic Plants
- Plant Genetics
- Informal Science
Languages:
- Arabic
- French
- English