Chemistry Summer Camp (Byblos Campus)
This summer camp provides high school students with an immersive experience in drug design, focusing on platinum-based complexes used in medicinal chemistry. Through a combination of lectures, seminars and hands-on experimental work, students will explore the fundamental principles of metal-based drug design, synthesis and analysis. The camp will guide participants through the design and characterization of platinum complexes in different oxidation states and investigate their interaction with biological systems, including cellular uptake studies.
Hurry up and register before June 10.
Camp Objectives
1
Introduce students to the fundamentals of drug design with a focus on platinum-based therapeutics, as well as explore the chemistry and biological applications of platinum complexes in medicine.
2
Teach methods for synthesizing and characterizing platinum complexes in different oxidation states, along with providing hands-on experience in spectroscopic and analytical techniques for chemical characterization.
3
Investigate the cellular uptake of platinum-based drugs and their potential mechanisms of action, as well as enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through experimental design and data interpretation.
4
Inspire students to pursue careers in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceuticals or related scientific fields.
Monday, July 7, 2025
| Date | Program | Location | Person(s) Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:15 | Registration and Breakfast | CHSC Hall |
Mrs. Alissar Elbakht |
| 09:30 - 09:45 |
Chairperson’s Welcome to LAU |
CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Nathalie Hayeck |
| 09:50 - 10:25 | Platinum Chemistry | CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Robin Taleb |
| 10:30 - 12:30 |
Lab 1: Pt(II) Complex Synthesis
|
Chemistry Lab - Sci 508 |
Dr. Areej Merhi |
| 12:30 - 01:30 |
Lunch with the Chairperson and Chemistry Program Faculty |
CHSC Hall |
All Chemistry Program Faculty |
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
| Date | Program | Location | Person(s) Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:00 | Breakfast | CHSC Hall |
Mrs. Alissar Elbakht |
| 09:00 - 09:15 |
Lab 2: Pt(II) Complex Synthesis
|
Chemistry Lab - Sci 508 |
Dr. Areej Merhi |
| 09:20 - 09:55 | Platinum Chemistry | CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Robin Taleb |
| 10:00 - 12:00 |
Lab 3: Pt(SSDACH)(NO3)2 Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidation |
Chemistry Lab - Sci 508 |
Dr. Areej Merhi |
| 12:00 - 12:30 | Lecture by SDEM | CHSC Auditorium |
Ms. Grace Saliba |
| 12:30 - 01:00 | Lunch with SDEM | CHSC Hall |
|
| 01:00 - 03:30 | Lab 4: Purification of Pt(IV)5ClSS | Chemistry Lab - Sci 508 |
Dr. Areej Merhi |
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
| Date | Program | Location | Person(s) Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:00 | Breakfast | CHSC Hall |
Mrs. Alissar Elbakht |
| 09:00 - 10:25 | Drug Design | CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Robin Taleb |
| 10:30 - 11:55 | Lab 5: Wrap Up Lab 1 | Chemistry Lab - Sci 508 |
Dr. Areej Merhi |
| 12:00 - 12:30 | Honor’s Program Lecture | CHSC Auditorium |
Mrs. Ghada Naous |
| 12:30 - 01:00 |
Lunch with the Honor’s Program Faculty |
CHSC Hall |
|
| 01:00 - 03:30 |
Lab 6: Cellular Uptake in A549 Cells |
Chemistry Lab - Sci 508 |
Dr. Stephanie Mehanna |
Thursday, July 10, 2025
| Date | Program | Location | Person(s) Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:30 |
Breakfast |
CHSC Hall |
Mrs. Alissar Elbakht |
| 09:30 - 11:30 |
Uptake and Fractionation and ICPMS |
CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Robin Taleb |
| 11:30 - 12:30 |
Campus Tour |
Mrs. Alissar Elbakht |
|
| 12:30 - 01:30 |
Lunch with SoAS Student Council Members |
CHSC Hall |
|
| 01:30 - 04:00 |
ICPMS Analysis
|
Chemistry Lab - Sci 508 |
Dr. Stephanie Mehanna |
Friday, July 11, 2025
| Date | Program | Location | Person(s) Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:00 | Breakfast | CHSC Hall |
Mrs. Alissar Elbakht |
| 09:00 - 11:00 | Data Analysis | CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Stephanie Mehanna |
| 11:30 - 12:30 |
Quiz and Filling Evaluation Survey |
CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Robin Taleb |
| 12:30 - 01:30 | Lunch | CHSC Hall |
All Faculty and Staff |
| 01:30 - 02:00 | Mini Lecture | CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Robin Taleb |
| 02:00 - 03:30 | Awards Ceremony | CHSC Auditorium |
Dr. Robin Taleb |