Maya Bassil
Dr. Bassil is an assistant professor of Nutrition at the department of Natural Sciences at LAU. Her principle line of research during her graduate years was directed towards macronutrient metabolism, protein in particular, and the association with appetite, obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Bassil conducted various studies both on animal models and human subjects which have contributed to a better understanding of the role of amino acids (especially leucine) in food intake behavior and protein turnover in healthy and obese type 2 diabetic populations.
Recently, Dr. Bassil is involved in studies investigating the effect of the mineral phosphorus on appetite, insulin sensitivity and diet induced thermogenesis. Dr. Bassil is also collaborating with other LAU faculty in exploring the nutritional and medicinal effect of Lebanese wild plants and in assessing the prevalence and determinants of disordered eating in Lebanon.
Selected publications
1. M. Bassil, S. Burgos, E.B. Marliss, J.A. Morais, S. Chevalier and R. Gougeon. Hyperaminoacidaemia at postprandial levels does not modulate glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia 2011; 54: 1810-1818.
2. M. Bassil, E.B. Marliss, J.A. Morais, S. Pereira, S. Chevalier and R. Gougeon. Postprandial hyperaminoacidaemia overcomes insulin resistance of protein anabolism in men with type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia 2011; 54: 648-656
3. M. S. Bassil, N. Hwalla and O.A. Obeid. Meal patterns in male rats following amino acid manipulation of the diet: Effect of histidine, leucine and tyrosine. Obesity Research 2007;15: 616-623
4. Maya S. Bassil, Maha M. Mrayati, Nahla Hwalla and Omar A.Obeid. Postprandial glycogen and lipid synthesis in rats following leptin and ghrelin injection. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2007;51:14-21
Academic degrees
Ø Ph.D. in Human Nutrition, McGill University, QC, Canada
Ø M.S. in Nutrition, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Ø B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Maya Bassil
Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition
Office: Block A, Room 818 Byblos
Byblos/Beirut campus
Extension 2469
mbassil@lau.edu.lb