On May 8, 2025, the Department of Sciences at the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences (FNAS) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) held an international conference on sleep disorders, organized by Dr. Esther Ghanem and Dr. Colette Kabrita. The event featured both local and international experts in sleep and respiratory medicine, psychiatry, clinical psychology, physiology, neurobiology, genomics, and orthodontics. Current NDU students also shared personal testimonials about sleep challenges and their involvement in sleep research at the University.
The full-day conference concluded with a live demonstration of a Sleep Comfort AI-powered mattress, which attendees were invited to test, and an interactive poster session featuring 18 student presentations. These were evaluated by Dr. Rita Maalouf, Dr. Pauline Aad, Dr. Joanne Choufani, and Dr. Simon Abou Jaoude.
Opening the event, Dr. Kabrita welcomed the audience and promised “a rich and interdisciplinary perspective on the most pressing yet often overlooked aspects of health and well-being—sleep.” She then gave the floor to Dr. Roger Nakad, Dean of FNAS, who thanked the Department’s Chairperson, Dr. Rita Maalouf, for her continued support, as well as the event organizers and partners: Sleep Comfort and TAPE IT.
Program Overview: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sleep Disorders
The conference explored the biological, psychological, and clinical dimensions of sleep disorders and was structured into three dynamic sessions:
1. Understanding Sleep Disorders – Etiology, Prevalence and Psychophysiological Aspects
Dr. Colette Kabrita began by outlining the six major categories of sleep disorders, including insomnia, breathing disorders, and movement disorders. She then explored biological, psychological, and behavioral risk factors, linking them to real-life scenarios such as cardiometabolic diseases, anxiety, shift work, and jet lag. Dr. Kabrita also discussed the neuroendocrine regulation of the sleep-wake cycle and presented data on the global and national (Greater Beirut) prevalence of sleep disorders across age groups. She concluded by sharing original findings from a collaborative study on university students across Lebanon, which explored the impact of biological and behavioral factors on sleep quality, mental health, and academic performance. She also announced an ongoing collaborative research project with the American University of Iraq–Baghdad, currently in its data analysis phase.
Dr. Farid Talih, Vice Chair of Psychiatry and Associate Professor at AUB Medical Center, followed with a talk on the mental health aspects of sleep disorders, including depression, suicidal ideation, and bipolar disorder. He emphasized the therapeutic potential of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I), and referenced the post-traumatic impact of the Beirut Blast, which led to insomnia in 62% of affected individuals.
Dr. Brigitte Khoury, Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor at AUBMC—and President-Elect of the International Union of Psychological Science—presented behavioral therapies for sleep disorders, focusing on evidence-based approaches such as four-step cognitive restructuring to treat insomnia.
The session concluded with a heartfelt testimonial by Gaelle Khoury, a second-year Biochemistry student, who spoke about her personal struggles with sleep and how adopting healthier habits improved her well-being.
2. Biological and Clinical Perspectives on Sleep
This session began with Dr. Joseph Bou Serhal, Adjunct Clinical Professor at Boston University, who collaborated with Dr. Elie Jabbour, Orthodontist and Sleep Medicine expert at CMC Hospital Dubai and Faculty at USJ. They explored the link between orthodontic conditions and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), explaining how 3D airway evaluations and specialized monitoring devices help diagnose the severity of OSA and guide treatment plans.
Joining online, Dr. Lea Urpa, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki’s Institute for Molecular Medicine, delved into the genomics of sleep and circadian biology. She explained that narcolepsy may be triggered by infection and that at least 27 genes are linked to insomnia. She emphasized the power of genomic analysis as a hypothesis-free method to uncover insights into biological systems like sleep.
Dr. Michel Nawfal, President of the Lebanese Psychological Association, addressed somniphobia—the fear of falling asleep. He explained its symptoms, causes (e.g., trauma, nightmares), and treatments, which include psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and self-help strategies. He emphasized the disorder’s serious consequences, including panic attacks, chronic sleep deprivation, and immune system suppression.
Dr. Rami Jambeih, a U.S.-based specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, presented remotely on the pathophysiology of OSA. He outlined the mechanisms leading to airway obstruction, underdiagnosis in clinical practice, and treatment methods including positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical interventions.
Next, Professor Kyriaki Sidiropoulou from the University of Crete explored the relationship between sleep, learning, and memory. Using diagrams, she explained how different types of memory are processed during sleep, and how sleep influences memory consolidation at the neural level.
Dr. Esther Ghanem concluded the session by presenting NDU research on the relationship between sleep and immune regulation. She was followed by NDU alumna Elissar Azzi, now a Ph.D. candidate in Finland, who shared how her early research experiences in sleep studies at NDU shaped her academic and research trajectory.
3. AI-Based Sleep Technology and Global Strategies
Biochemistry students Aya Homsi and Selena Chemaly introduced TAPE IT nasal strips, which improve airflow by opening nasal passages, reducing congestion and dryness, and enhancing sleep quality through non-invasive means.
Representatives from Sleep Comfort, Romy Habib and Mohamad Salam, presented AI-powered mattresses that offer personalized sleep recommendations based on individual patterns, habits, and physical attributes. Students had the opportunity to undergo a sample “smart test” on the AI mattress and received personalized feedback.
The day concluded with the announcement of the winners of the Best Poster Design competition on AI applications in sleep-related topics:
- First Prize: Carine El Hayek and Nada Al Achi – Fatal Familial Insomnia
- Second Prize: Lucia Nassim and Kevin Kfoury – Sleep Genes and Adolescents’ Body Clock
- Third Prize: Rakan Alenezi and Robert Zeitoun – DreamGut AI-Powered Belly Band
Whether poor sleepers or deep dreamers, attendees left with a renewed appreciation for sleep’s profound impact on physical and mental health. As with other events hosted by NDU, this international conference exemplified the University’s commitment to advancing knowledge and practice, bridging research and real-world application for students and professionals alike.