Nisrine Machaka-Houri
Personal information
Nisrine Machaka-Houri
University Lecturer, Researcher, Consultant, Expert and Trainer
Contact information (Private)
+961 3 439734
Community/Lebanon Impact
As a scout, she always volunteered in activities to support underprivileged families. After completing her doctorate studies, she became responsible for two programs at an NGO where they support distinguished underprivileged students to pursue their education through scholarships or interest-free loans. She serves as a role model for these young people, providing them with guidance to continue their education. As an environmentalist, she has published three field guides to the wildflowers of Lebanon to raise awareness of the beauty of our natural heritage. She has also worked on several projects to conserve Lebanon's biodiversity.
Social Media
Education
Education:
- Doctorate degree, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, 2009-2013, University of Reading, United Kingdom.
- Postgraduate diploma, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, 2001-2006, University of London, United Kingdom.
- Bachelor's degree (with distinction), Interior Design, 1997-2001, Lebanese American University, Lebanon.
Work history
Previous Professions:
- Instructor, January 2015-present, Saint Joseph University.
- Instructor, January 2016-present, Modern University for Business and Sciences
- Co-trainer and regional expert, 2015-present, DIES ProGRANT Proposal Writing for Research Grants.
- Environmental Consultant, March 2015-present, Earth Link and Advanced Resources Development (ELARD).
- Ecological expert, December 2018, Eco-consulting.
- Environmental Consultant, 2010-2012, Nature Conservation Center at the American University of Beirut (AUB NCC).
- Website Coordinator and Environmental Consultant, January 2003-December 2003, Green Line NGO.
Major Achievements
Publications (Books, Articles, Reports, etc.):
- Nisrine Machaka-Houri, Ahmad Houri, Khouzama M. Knio & Duncan B. Westbury. (2018). Ecological interactions of the sexually deceptive orchid Orchis galilaea. Journal of Plant Interactions, 13(1), 315-320. DOI: 10.1080/17429145.2018.1478005.
- Machaka-Houri, N. (2016). [Review of the book Plant Ecology in the Middle East. By A. Hegazy & J. Lovett-Doust]. The Quarterly Review of Biology 91(4), 519. DOI: 10.1086/689526
- Machaka-Houri, N. (2014). Wild flowers of Lebanon with special focus on key biodiversity areas. Beirut: Author.
- Machaka-Houri, N. (2001). Photographic guide to wild flowers of Lebanon. Beirut: Author.
- Machaka-Houri, N. (2008). Photographic guide to wild flowers of Lebanon (Vol. 2). Beirut: Author.
- Machaka-Houri, N. (2012). Impact of global warming on Eastern Mediterranean high altitude plan biodiversity. In R., Efe, M., Ozturk, & S., Ghazanfar (Eds.), Environment and ecology in the Mediterranean region (115-124). United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- Machaka-Houri, N. (2012). Reproductive success of the rare endemic orchis galilaea (orchidaceae) in Lebanon. Turkish Journal of Botany, 36 (6), 677-682.
Exhibitions, lectures & performances:
- Speaker on “Change the Behavior Towards Encouraging Sustainable Use of Resources” at the Professional Development Conference, Bayader Aramoun, Lebanon, September 5th, 2018.
- Speaker on “Research and its Importance in Education” at the Professional Development Conference, Bayader Aramoun, Lebanon, September 5th, 2018.
- Speaker on “Mobile Green Hand Botanic Garden: Tool for Education and Outreach” at the 6th Global Botanic Gardens Congress organized by BGCI and Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland, June 25-30, 2017.
- Speaker on "Wild Flowers of Lebanon: Fascination and Passion" at Libanoticum Fiesta, Jdeidet Al-Bouchrieh Al-Sed Municipality, Lebanon, October 5th, 2014.
- Speaker on "Biodiversity of Lebanon: 16 Years of Exploration and Conservation" at the University and Jepson Herbaria of the University of California, Berkeley, 2013.
- Speaker on "Using Geographic Information Systems to Protect and Manage Coastal Plant Species at Risk of Extinction" at the Arab and Mediterranean Regional Conference on Environmental Resources Monitoring and Management, Beirut, Lebanon, 2013.
- Speaker on "Preliminary Assessment of the Conservation Status of the Genus Orchis (Orchidaceae) in Lebanon with Emphasis on the Biology of Orchis anatolica, O. galilaea, and O. syriaca" at the International Symposium on Biology of Rare and Endemic Plant Species, Fethiye, Turkey, 2010.
- Speaker on "Biodiversity Conservation in Lebanon: Case Study on Orchids" at the First International Seminar of the Network of Botanic Gardens of the Mediterranean and the Middle East: The Andalusi Experience: An Example of Biodiversity Conservation, Granada, Spain, 2009.
- Speaker on "Biodiversity Study Presentation as a User-Friendly Method for the Protection of the Lebanese Environment: The Role of Field Guides" at the 15th Science Meeting: Science in the 21st Century, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, 2008.
Accomplishments
Distinctions:
- She was selected honoree of the "Women in Science Hall of Fame" by the U.S. Department of State for her accomplishments and efforts to serve as a role model for women and girls pursuing science education and careers, 2015.
- She received the Heckard Endowment Fund by The University and Jepson Herbaria of the University of California, Berkeley, for conducting research on the systematics of California's vascular plants, 2014.
Awards:
- She received the "Women's Innovations in Science and Entrepreneurship (WISE)" Award by the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon for her outstanding performance in science and promising potential, 2016.
Competences & Skills
Field(s) of Expertise:
- Botany
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Sustainability
- Training in proposal writing
Languages:
- Arabic
- English
- French