Dr. Nada M. Melhem is a Professor of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (Virology and Immunology) at the Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon. Melhem is currently the Director of the Division of Health Professions and the Chair of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program at the Faculty of Health Sciences. With a unique background and training in virology, immunology and epidemiology, Melhem developed at AUB a transdisciplinary and translational research program focusing on viral immunopathogenesis and the epidemiology of viruses, and their impact on global human health. Melhemʼs research program focuses on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), viral diarrheal diseases specifically noroviruses and COVID-19. Melhem is currently leading the SARS-CoV-2 National Surveillance Genomic Program for healthcare workers and hospitalized patients.

In addition to a track-record of productive research work and publications, Melhem has a track record in professional service. She is an elected council member of the International Society for Infectious Diseases. She is also a member of the National Committee for Communicable Diseases since 2009 serving as a scientific advisor to the Minister of Public Health and the Director General of the Ministry in Lebanon. Melhem also serves as a member of the National COVID-19 Crisis Management Committee in Lebanon, as well as the WHO COVID-19 Epidemiology Technical Advisory Group and the SARS-CoV-2 Evolution Technical Advisory Group. Melhem is also the Representative of Low-Resource Settings on Rapid Evidence Assessment of Drug Candidates of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Coalition. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Melhem has been serving as well on the COVID-19 Expert Committee at the American University of Beirut. Melhem has also been selected since 2022 to be the National Polio Containment Coordinator.