Marie-Belle Saab

Marie-Belle Saab, PhD

Course Coordinator, Physics

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Université La Sagesse – Main Campus P.O. Box 50501, Furn El Chebbak, Lebanon
Job Title / Responsibilities

Mariebelle Saab is an Associate Professor and Physics coordinator at La Sagesse University, with extensive experience in interdisciplinary research and academic leadership. Dr. Saab is an Expert on research and innovation missions for the European Commission. She holds a Ph.D. in Physics/Biophysics from the University of Montpellier. Her research interests include neuroimaging, biophysics, nanotechnology, biophotonics and the application of physics to biological systems. She has several peer-reviewed publications and a patent related to peptide derivatives for biofunctionalization. She has also served as jury president for PhD theses and director/committee member for several Masters’ theses. As part of her commitment to academic and community service, she contributes to curriculum development, coordinates physics courses, and mentors students to support their educational advancement and professional growth.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Physics/Biophysics (2010), University of Montpellier II, France
  • M.Sc. in Condensed Matter Physics (2007), University of Montpellier, France
  • B.Sc. in General Physics (2006), Lebanese University, Lebanon
  • Expertise in experimental biophysics, biomedical optics, neuroimaging, biomechanics, nanomechanics, and biosensing technologies
  • Strong research track record – over 25 peer-reviewed publications, international patent, and consistent participation in European research projects (e.g., Nanoroad, Erasmus+)
  • Academic leadership experience (Program Coordinator, Head of Research Committee, and jury president for doctoral defenses)
  • Longstanding university teaching experience – across medical, engineering, and science faculties, including program development and lab setup
  • Supervision of graduate students – involved in Master’s and Ph.D. thesis committees in neuroscience and biomedical sciences

Teaching interests

  • General Physics (mechanics, dynamics, optics…)
  • Biophysics and Biomedical Optics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Physics for Bioengineering
  • Biomechanics and Applied Biomechanics (Health and Sports Sciences)
  • Laboratory Instruction and Experimental Physics
  • Mathematics for Science, Engineering, and Health (Calculus, Geometry, Linear Algebra)
  • Health Sciences Physics/Math (Radiology, Nursing, Medical Imaging)

Research interests

  • Physics/Biophysics
  • Biophysics, Rheology and Photonics of complex biological systems
  • Biomedical optics and photonics-based sensing
  • Nanotechnology and functionalization of biosurfaces
  • Nanomechanics of cancerous vs. normal cells
  • Neuroimaging techniques and brain signal analysis: MRI-based investigation of neurodegenerative disorders, neuro-ophthalmological conditions, and structural and functional brain connectivity.
  • Peptide-based biosensing and surface biofunctionalization
  • Bioengineering applications in medical diagnostics
  • Spectroscopy and advanced microscopy (AFM, fluorescence, nonlinear optics)
  • Bionanotechnology for healthcare and sensor development
  • Interdisciplinary approaches in neuroscience, physics, and biomedical research

Publications

o          Hawi A., Hmede R., Saab, M.B., Saab, L., Harati H., Al Ahmar, E., & Estephan, E. (2025). Delayed Onset Bilateral Papilledema Secondary to Trauma: A Case Report. Heliyon, e43698 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e43698

o          Hamzeh, J., Harati, H., Ayoubi, F., Saab, M.B., Saab, L., Al Ahmar, E., & Estephan, E. (2025). Visualization of the Glymphatic System through Brain Magnetic Resonance in Human Subjects with Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J. Clin. Med., 14(12), 4387. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124387

o          Audi, D., Hajeer, S., Saab, M.B., Saab, L., Harati, H., Desoutter, A., Al Ahmar, E., & Estephan, E. (2024). “Effect of cannabis use on neurocognition: A scoping review of MRI studies”. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 9, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2024.2372377

o          Hajeer, S., Nasr, F., Nabha, S., Saab, M.B., Harati, H., Fares, Y., & Estephan, E. (2023). “Association between Vitamin D deficiency and Multiple Sclerosis-MRI significance: A systematic review”. Heliyon, 9, e15754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15754

o          Saab, M.B., Al Ahmar, E., & Estephan, E. (2019). “Bio-sensing using a simple resistor: the effect of functionalization on sensing devices”. Journal of Sensors, vol 2019, Article ID 6291389. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6291389

o          Saab, M.B., Bec, N., Martin, M., Estephan, E., Larroque, C., Cuisinier, F. J.G., & Gergely, C. (2013). “Differential Effect of Curcumin on the Nanomechanics of Normal and Cancerous Mammalian Epithelial Cells.” Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 65, 399-411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-012-9443-1

o          Saab, M.B., Estephan, E., Bec, N., Larroque, M., Aulombard, R., Cloitre, T., & Gergely, C. (2011). “Multi-microscopic study of curcumin effect on fixed non malignant and cancerous mammalian epithelial cells.” J. of biophotonics, 4(7-8), 533-543. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.201000119

o          Estephan, E., Saab, M.B., Agarwal, V., Cuisinier, F. J.G., Larroque, C., & Gergely, C. (2011). “Peptides for the biofunctionalization of silicon for the use in optical sensing with porous silicon microcavities.” Advanced Functional Materials, 21(11), 2003-2011. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201002742

o          Saab, M.B., Estephan, E., Cloitre, T., Larroque, C., & Gergely, C. (2010). “Peptide route functionnalization of ZnSe crystals preserves activity and structure of protein while adsorbsion”. J. Phys. Chem. C, 114(43), 18509-18515. https://doi.org/10.1021/JP104974C

o          Saab, M.B., Estephan, E., Martin, M., Bec, N., Larroque, C., Cloitre, T., Cuisinier, F. J.G., & Gergely, C. (2010). “Morphological differences between normal and cancerous mammalian cells via multitechnique microscopic studies”. Proc. of SPIE, 7715, 771518. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.853531.

o          Saab, M.B., Estephan, E., Cloitre, T., Legros, R., Cuisinier, F. J.G., Zimanyi, L., & Gergely, C. (2009). “Assembly of purple membranes on polyelectrolyte films”. Langmuir, 25(9), 5159-5167. https://doi.org/10.1021/la9002274

o          Estephan, E., Dao, J., Saab, M.B., Martin, M., Hirtz, C., Larroque, C., Gergely, C., & Cuisinier, F. J.G. (2012). “SVSVGMKPSPRP: a broad range adhesion peptide”. Biomed Tech, bmt-2011-0109. https://doi.org/10.1515/bmt-2011-0109

o          Benzina, O., Szabo, V., Lucas, O., Saab, M.B., Cloitre, T., Scamps, F., Gergely, C., & Martin, M. (2013). “Changes induced by peripheral nerve injury in the morphology and nanomechanics of sensory neurons”. Proc. of SPIE, 8797, 879704. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.10.106014

o          Benzina, O., Szabo, V., Lucas, O., Saab, M.B., Cloitre, T., Scamps, F., Gergely, C., & Martin, M. (2013). “Changes induced by peripheral nerve injury in the morphology and nanomechanics of sensory neurons”. J. Biomed Optics, Oct:18 (10):106014. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.10.106014

o          Martin, M., Massif, L., Estephan, E., Saab, M.B., Cloitre, T., Larroque, C., Agarwal, V., Cuisinier, F.J.G., Le Lay, G., & Gergely, C. (2012). “Effect of surface functionalization of porous silicon microcavities on biosensing performance”. Journal of Nanophotonics, 6, 061506, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JNP.6.061506

o          Bouchonville, N., Le Cigne, A., Sukhanova, A., Saab, M.B., Troyon, M., Molinari, M., & Nabiev, I.R. (2012). “Controlled FRET efficiency in nano-bio hybrid materials made from semiconductor quantum dots and bacteriorhodopsin”. Proc. of SPIE, 8460, 84600X. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.930747

o          Larciprete, M. C., Belardini, A., Sibilia, C., Saab, M.B., Váró, G., & Gergely, C. (2010). “Optical chirality of Bacteriorhodopsin films via second harmonic Maker’s fringes measurements”. Applied Physics letter, 96, 221108. https://doi.org/ 10.1063/1.3442503

o          Estephan, E., Bajoni, D., Saab, M.B., Cloitre, T., Aulombard, R., Andreani, L.C., Liscidini, M., Malvezzi, A.M., & Gergely, C. (2010). “Sensing by means of non linear optics with functionalized GaAs/AlGaAs photonic crystals”. Langmuir, 26(12), 10373-10379. https://doi.org/10.1021/la1000792

o          Estephan, E., Martin, M., Saab, M.B., Cuisinier, F. J.G., Briot, O., Ruffenach, S., Moret, M., & Gergely, C. (2011). “Phages recognizing the Indium Nitride semiconductor surface via their peptides.” J. Peptide Science, 17(2), 143-147. https://doi.org/10.1002/psc.1315

o          Estephan, E., Saab, M.B., Buzatu, P., Aulombard, R., Cuisinier, F. J.G., Gergely, C., & Cloitre, T. (2010). “Biomolecular detection using a metal semiconductor field effect transistor”. Proc. of SPIE, 7715, 77151V. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.853531

o          Estephan, E., Saab, M.B., Larroque, C., Martin, M., Olsson, F., Lourdudoss, S., & Gergely, C. (2009). “Specific peptide for functionalization of InP”. Journal of colloid and interface science, 337(2), 358-363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2009.05.040

 

o          Martin, M., Saab, M.B., Cloitre, T., Estephan, E., Legros, R., Cuisinier, F. J.G., Zimányi, L., & Gergely, C. (2008). “A multitechnique study of Bacteriorhodopsin’s photonics towards new optical devices”. Proc. of SPIE, 6991, 69910A. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.781016

o          Estephan, E., Saab, M.B., Martin, M., Cloitre, T., Larroque, C., Cuisinier, F.J.G., Malvezzi, A.M., & Gergely, C. (2011). “Molecular Detection via Hybrid Peptide-Semiconductor Photonic Devices”. Proc. of SPIE, 7888, 788807. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.874691

o          Martin, M., Massif, L., Estephan, E., Saab, M.B., Cloitre, T., Larroque, C., Agarwal, V., Cuisinier, F.J.G., Le Lay, G., & Gergely, C. (2011). “Intimate effects of surface functionalization on biosensing performances with porous silicon microcavities”. Proc. of SPIE, 8104, 81040M. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893379

o          Paës, G., Burr, S., Saab, M.B., Molinari, M., Aguié-Béghin, V., & Chabbert, B. (2013). “Modeling progression of fluorescent probes in bio-inspired lignocellulosic assemblies”. Biomacromolecules, 14(7), 2196-205. https://doi.org/10.1021/bm400338b

Community Services

  • Expert in program and laboratory preparation for the launch of the Faculty of Engineering, La Sagesse University
  • Reviewer for CORDIS and expert in research and innovation missions of the European Commission.