From Research to Regional Recognition
LAU continues to demonstrate the impact of its research-driven education through the achievements of alumnae Jana El Jamal (BA ’24) and Marianne Ghoch (BA ’25) from the LAU School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS), whose undergraduate projects have earned first- and second-place recognition at major regional academic forums.
In May 2025, LAU psychology graduate El Jamal, who is currently pursuing her MSc in Clinical Psychology at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, won first prize at the First Conference on Integration Between Psychology and Other Sciences, held on May 29 and 30, 2025, at Qatar University. She presented her senior study titled Investigating False Memory, Stress, Depression, and Sleep Deprivation in University Students, which she conducted while at LAU.
The experimental study examined how psychological and physiological factors shape memory accuracy and cognitive functioning. Findings showed that stress and sleep deprivation were associated with increased false memories, while depression correlated with reduced false memory reports—results with direct implications for learning environments and academic performance.
Reflecting on the experience, El Jamal noted that the primary challenge lay in defending an experimental design with a relatively small sample of 50 participants. “Because it was a controlled experimental study rather than a cross-sectional one, the sample was smaller—but the design was rigorous,” she explained. Throughout the process, guidance from her project advisor, Dr. Myriam El Khoury-Malhame, associate professor of psychology at SoAS, played a pivotal role in encouraging her to further develop the research into a publishable manuscript. Although regional instability and graduate commitments abroad delayed publication, the conference provided renewed momentum and visibility for the work.
For El Jamal, earning first place carried personal and symbolic significance. The recognition, she said, reaffirmed her confidence in her academic foundation and in the training she received at LAU, particularly at a time when higher education in Lebanon faces mounting challenges.
A similarly mentorship-driven path characterizes the experience of Ghoch, who earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from LAU in 2025 and is currently pursuing an MA in Gender Studies at the university. On May 29, 2025, she was awarded second place in the psychology discipline at the 12th Undergraduate Research & Innovation Competition (URIC), hosted by the University of Abu Dhabi. Her senior study was selected from nearly 650 submissions representing 105 universities across the GCC and MENA region.
Titled The Impact of War Trauma on Lebanese Youth, Ghoch’s research examined the psychological effects of the 2023–2024 war on young adults, documenting elevated levels of PTSD, anxiety, and depression alongside evidence of post-traumatic growth. Her decision to apply followed encouragement from the SoAS dean’s office and further support from Dr. El Khoury-Malhame during her PSY499 senior study course.
Throughout the research process, sustained mentorship proved central to navigating the project’s complex and sensitive subject matter. Ghoch noted that presenting the findings to an international jury unfamiliar with Lebanon’s context was particularly demanding, yet one she felt prepared for through the analytical rigor and presentation skills developed at LAU.
Beyond the award itself, Ghoch views her research as a contribution to a growing field examining the intersection of sociopolitical conflict and mental health. She hopes the study will help amplify conversations around the often-unspoken struggles of Lebanese youth and inform future discourse in post-conflict settings. Participation in URIC, she added, reinforced the importance of research as a collaborative and communicative endeavor, strengthening both her confidence and academic resolve.