Biosketch

Dr. Tamara Elzein is a distinguished Lebanese scientist and academic, currently serving as the Minister of Environment in Lebanon, appointed on February 8, 2025. Born in 1977, she earned her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Haute-Alsace in 2002. After completing her doctorate, she became a Maître de Conférences at the same university. In 2014, she returned to Lebanon to join the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS-L), where she established a research unit focused on innovative materials for radioactive decontamination. Her scientific contributions include two international patents and over 70 publications in scientific journals and conferences. In 2016, she was honored with the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science award for the Levant and Egypt region, and in 2017, she received the International Rising Talent award from the same program. The French Republic recognized her achievements by bestowing upon her the Knight in the Order of the Academic Palms in October 2020. In July 2022, Dr. El-Zein became the first woman appointed as Secretary General of CNRS-L since its establishment in 1962. Beyond her administrative roles, she continues to be actively involved in promoting women in science, founding the national observatory for women in research, “DAWReK’n-دوركنَّ,” in 2019. Her dedication to environmental and scientific advancement continues to influence Lebanon’s policies and initiatives in these critical sectors.​