Melissa Said

Melissa Said

Course Coordinator, Chemistry

Job Title / Responsibilities

Melissa Said is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Université La Sagesse and Université Saint-Joseph (ESIB). She holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Nantes Université, where her doctoral work focused on multi-scale modeling of the hygromechanical behavior of polymeric composites. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in polymer science, materials science, composite materials, tribology, thermodynamics, process simulation, formulation chemistry and spectroscopy. Her research spans polymer composites, moisture diffusion, and durability prediction, plant fibers as well as applied projects in polymer processing and sustainable energy. She actively supervises final-year projects, capstone designs, and student competition teams in partnership with Lebanese industry, while contributing to ABET accreditation and curriculum development.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (2020–2024), Nantes Université, France
  • Master of Engineering in Materials, Processes and Technology of Composites (2017–2018), Lebanese University in collaboration with École Centrale de Nantes
  • Engineering Diploma in Industrial Chemistry and Petrochemistry (2013–2018), Lebanese University, Faculty of Engineering, Roumieh
  • Member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) (since 2025)
  • Member of the Order of Engineers and Architects in Lebanon (since 2021)

Professional Experience

Assistant Professor/Lecturer (full-time, non-exclusive)

Université La Sagesse, Beirut, Lebanon

Sep 2024 – Present

  • Teaching course to chemical engineering students
  • Participating in ABET accreditation processes.
  • Supervising and evaluating student projects in collaboration with local industries.

Assistant Professor (part-time)

École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Beyrouth (ESIB), Université Saint-Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon

Jan 2025 – Present

  • Teaching course to chemical engineering students
  • Supervising and evaluating senior design projects and mentoring AIChE competition teams.
  • Participating in the organization of events, including seminars and conferences.
  • Contributing to the planning and delivery of summer school activities.

Lecturer (Part-time)

École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Beyrouth (ESIB), Université Saint-Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon

Jan 2021 – Dec 2024

  • Taught courses in chemical engineering
  • Supervised and evaluated final year projects
  • Contributing to the planning and delivery of summer school activities.

Doctoral Researcher

Institut de Recherche en Génie Civil et Mécanique (GeM), Nantes Université – France

Dec 2020 – Nov 2024

  • Developed a multi-scale numerical model for coupled hygromechanical behavior in polymer matrix composites under wet aging.
  • Extended modeling framework to hydrophilic natural fiber composites, integrating a tool for water content localization at the constituent scale.
  • Validated simulations against experimental data, combining numerical methods with experimental insights.

Adjunct Lecturer

Université La Sagesse, Beirut, Lebanon

Sep 2023 – Jul 2024

  • Teaching courses to chemical engineering students
  • Supervising and evaluating senior design projects and final year projects

Senior Supply Chain Analyst / Supply Chain Analyst

IPT Group, Amchit, Lebanon

2019 – 2021

  • Managed the supply of petroleum products (gasoline, diesel) and lubricants across depots and service stations.
  • Monitored product margins by analyzing stock levels against sales forecasts and market trends.
  • Participated in supplier negotiations and contractual agreements on supply conditions.
  • Led safety improvement initiatives at the white product depot to strengthen compliance and operational reliability.
  • Contributed to a biodiesel production pilot project from used cooking oils in collaboration with USEK, bridging supply chain operations with sustainability initiatives.

R&D Student Researcher

PACT, INDEVCO Group, Zouk  Mosbeh, Lebanon

2018

  • Developed LLDPE/clay nanocomposites via melt intercalation, twin-screw extrusion, and blown film extrusion, achieving optimal clay dispersion and exfoliation.
  • Improved mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties through tailored formulations and compatibilizer selection.
  • Conducted structural and thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, XRD, AFM) and rheological testing to characterize viscoelastic behavior.

Teaching interests

  • Polymer science and composite materials engineering
  • Tribology and surface interactions
  • Process simulation and plant design (Aspen HYSYS)
  • Thermodynamics of solutions
  • Formulation chemistry
  • Spectroscopy

Research interests

  • Multi-scale modeling of moisture diffusion in composites
  • Hygro-mechanical behavior and service life prediction of hydrophilic materials
  • Polymer processing and rheology (film extrusion, nanocomposites)
  • Sustainable energy systems: landfill gas valorization, hydrogen carriers, biofuels

Publications

  • Said, M., Célino, A., Challita, G., & Fréour, S. (2024). Estimation of the hygro-elastic behavior of polymeric composites during moisture aging considering hygromechanical coupling. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 43(19–20), 1189–1201. https://doi.org/10.1177/07316844231202101
  • Said, M., Célino, A., Challita, G., & Fréour, S. (Under review). A multi-scale approach for the localization of the moisture content in composites with two hydrophilic constituents.
  • Said, M., Seif, S., & Challita, G. (2019). Development of blown film linear low-density polyethylene–clay nanocomposites: Part A: Manufacturing process and morphology. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(16), 48589. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.48589

 

  • Said, M., Seif, S., & Challita, G. (2019). Development of blown film linear low-density polyethylene–clay nanocomposites: Part B: Mechanical and rheological characterization. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(16), 48590. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.48590
  • Maassarani, N., Khalife, S., Achkar, M., Joubran, J., AlDaccache, M., & Said, M. (2025). Landfill gas valorization into ethylene: A simulation-based case study from Lebanon. In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Renewable Energies for Developing Countries (REDEC 2025), Beirut, Lebanon
  • Said, M. (2023). Estimation of the hygroelastic properties of a carbon/epoxy composite taking into account hygromechanical couplings. Oral communication at the 23rd International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM23), Belfast, United Kingdom

Grants and Projects

  • Supervision of industry-linked FYPs with INDEVCO PACT (polymer rheology and film extrusion) (2025-ongoing)
  • Collaboration with Nantes Université & Laghouat University: Multi-scale modeling of plant fibers integrating nanoscale simulations (2025–ongoing)

Community Services

  • Mentor of award-winning student projects, e.g., “Olive Pomace Gasification to Dimethyl Ether” (AIChE 2025)
  • Delivered teaching sessions in ESIB Summer School, introducing high school students to chemical engineering concepts and applications.
  • Industry liaison for student internships at IPT terminals
  • Volunteer SAT Math Teacher, Unite Lebanon Youth Project (2018)