Myriam El Khoury-Malhame is an associate professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology and Education at LAU.
She is an accomplished neuroscientist and clinical psychologist with niche expertise in the crosstalk of biology and psychology. She uses the bio-psycho-social model to better understand personality and account for physical and mental wellbeing and illness. She also has extensive experience in psychometric assessments, focusing on stress and wellbeing, with a track record of translating complex research into practical actionable applications.
She worked for her doctoral studies under the supervision of David Servan-Schreiber and Stephanie Khalfa, examining the cortico-limbic, physiological and clinical markers of PTSD, and explored how EMDR psychotherapy improves PTSD symptoms by restoring brain structure and function.
Her multidisciplinary research focuses on risk factors for trauma-induced mental distress in adults on one hand, and on the other, on evidence-based protective factors centered around spirituality, sleep and gratitude to promote resilience and growth.
Dr. El Khoury-Malhame specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in adult outpatients suffering from trauma, anxiety and depression. She is on the Lebanese Order of Psychologist trauma taskforce.
With a rich history of delivering keynote speeches, she brings a unique blend of academic rigor to corporate and consultancy projects (including governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, healthcare, and consulting industries). She has led and delivered customized workshops on wellbeing, stress management, mindfulness and emotional intelligence for business leaders in a multitude of industries. The practical solutions she advocates are complemented by her clinical expertise and her distinguished academic career.
A long-time member of the Girl Scout movement, Dr. El Khoury-Malhame has kept the wandering spirit of exploring the Lebanese hidden gems. She particularly appreciates scuba-diving, snowboarding and globetrotting.
Dr. Myriam El Khoury-Malhame conducts research relevant to the following SDGs:
She has recently been awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science-Levant award (2024) for her work on the brain basis of trauma and trauma relief after collective disasters.
She has also worked with large grants from international donors like the NIH-GCC Canada to implement a sustainable community project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, delivering emotional intelligence training in public schools and in remote underprivileged adolescents in Lebanon.
- Moubrak, H., Tweir, E., El Khoury-Malhame, M*. Haddad C., Salame, P., and Chatila R. (2024). The Relationship Between Self-Determination and Burnout: Mental Health Outcomes in Medical Residents. PlosOne. Accepted
- Karam, V.G.Y., Malhab, S.B., Bahous, S. Salameh, P., El Khoury-Malhame, M., and Asmar, N. (2024). Medical students attitudes towards patients with disability: a scale validation study. BMC Med Educ 24, 1226. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06238-9
- Khalaf T, Romanos I, El Khoury-Malhame M*, and Sanchez Ruiz MJ. (2024). Time Persepctive and correlates of mental distress. Acta Psychologica. Accepted
- El Khoury-Malhame M., Harajli A. D., Reykowska D.,and Ohme R. (2024) Can the Phoenix Still Rise? Traumatic effect of Beirut port explosion on people’s experiences. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001744
- Zeeni N., Abi Kharma, J., Malli, D., Khoury-Malhame, M., and Mattar, L. (2024). Exposure to Instagram junk food content negatively impacts mood and cravings in young adults: A randomized controlled trial. Appetite, 195:107209, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107209.
- Sadek B., El Mendelek, M., El Khoury-Malhame, M., Khoury, J. and Srour J. (2024) Are you in the mood to pass? A study on the interplay of psychological traits and traffic on driver passing decisions on two-lane, two-way highways. TRF: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour. 101: 59-77
- El Khoury-Malhame M., Bou Malhab S., Chaaya R., Sfeir M. and El Khoury S. (2024). Coping during socio-political Uncertainty. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 14: 1267603
- Buchlmayer, A. G., Snyder, L. E., Sotomayor, I., Smith, A. C., Jans, L. K., Schleider, J. L., El Khoury-Malhame, M., & Fox, C. (2024). Effects of an online growth mindset single-session intervention on hopelessness and perception of control in Arabic adolescents. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research (29):1; 24-34. https://doi.org/10.24839/2325-7342.JN29.1.24
- Sanchez-Ruiz, M.J., El Khoury, M., Doumit, R., Nassar, E., Wanna, P., AlHassanieh, M., Chaaya, R., Zgheib, P., Tadros, N., Khalaf, T., & Petrides K.V. (2023). Increasing emotional intelligence through Yes to Emotions in Youth (YEY): Evidence from its implementation in Lebanese public schools. Journal of Personality and Individual Differences. In Press
- Mendelek M., Sadek B., Nassar E., El Khoury Malhame M. and Khoury J. (2023). Safe mobility: Analysis of drivers’ behavior at the stop bar of signalized intersections using mixed-effects modeling. TRF: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
- Sotomayor, I., Smith, A., Jans, L. K., Schleider, J. L., Buchlmayer, A., Snyder, L., El Khoury Malhame, M., Khalaf, S., El Rahi, T., Saba, D., & Fox, C. (2023). A digital, single-session intervention improves mental health outcomes for trauma-exposed Lebanese adolescents. [Poster presentation]. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 39th Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA.
- Kalach N, Harb H, Zeeni N, El Khoury M, Mattar L. (2023) Determinants of body image disturbance and disordered eating behaviors among self-identified LGBTQ individuals. Journal of Eating Disorders; 11:87. doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00810-2.
- PhD in Neurosciences/Neuropsychology. Central and Peripheral mechanisms involved in PTSD and its treatment by CBT and EMDR. University Aix Marseille II. 2011
- MSc in Biology, in collaboration with the Psychiatry and Psychology departments. American University of Beirut. 2006
- BSc in Biology, with a minor in Psychology. American University of Beirut. 2003
