The Hashemite University | Jordan
Author Profile
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Early Academic Pursuits
Lubna H. Tahtamouni began her academic journey at the University of Jordan, where she earned a B.Sc. in Biology in June 1997 and an M.Sc. in Biology in April 2000. Her Master's thesis, titled “The Etiological Factors Among 702 Infertile Jordanian Couples,” was supervised by Hameed Al-Hajj, Ph.D. She further pursued a Ph.D. in Developmental Biology at Colorado State University, completing her thesis on “The Role of mDia1 During the Initiation of Polarization and Migration of Chick Embryo Cardiac Fibroblasts” under the guidance of James R. Bamburg, Ph.D.
Professional Endeavors
Dr. Tahtamouni has held numerous academic and administrative positions. She has been a Professor in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology at The Hashemite University in Zarqa, Jordan, since February 2020. Previously, she served as an Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in the same department. Her administrative roles include Chair of the Department of Biology and Biotechnology and Managing the Office of Externally Funded Projects at The Hashemite University. At Colorado State University, she has been an Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology since August 2023 and served as a Senior Research Scholar and Co-director of the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry REU program.
Dr. Tahtamouni’s research primarily focuses on understanding the cellular alterations leading to cancer, with specific projects on cell migration, adhesion, metastasis, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, cytoskeleton-related proteins, and cell cycle and anti-tumor drug screening. Additionally, she investigates the role of actin dynamics, mediated by the protein cofilin, in neurodegenerative diseases using induced pluripotent stem cells to model these processes.
Impact and Influence
Dr. Tahtamouni’s contributions to science have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She was named one of the World's 100 Most Inspirational and Influential Women by the BBC in 2016 and received the Women in Science Hall of Fame award from the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan, in 2015. Her work has earned her fellowships and scholarships from prestigious institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the L'OREAL-UNESCO for Women in Science program.
Academic Cites
Throughout her career, Dr. Tahtamouni has been involved in significant academic publishing and editorial roles. She served as Lead Guest Editor for a special issue on “Molecular Regulation of Cancer Cell Migration, Invasion and Metastasis” in Analytical Cellular Pathology and as an Assistant Editor for the Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Tahtamouni’s legacy is marked by her dedication to advancing the understanding of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Her collaborative efforts span basic, translational, and clinical sciences, significantly impacting these fields. Looking forward, her continued research and mentorship are expected to contribute further to scientific advancements and the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
Teaching and Supervision
Dr. Tahtamouni has extensive teaching experience across various biology and biotechnology courses at The Hashemite University and Colorado State University. She has also supervised numerous training courses, particularly in assisted reproductive techniques and cytogenetics, contributing to the education and professional development of many students and researchers.
Notable Publication: