Tamara el-Zein: From Science Champion to Minister of the Environment

In a groundbreaking move for Lebanon, Tamara el-Zein has made history as the first woman to head the Ministry of the Environment. Officially taking office on February 8, 2025, el-Zein brings an impressive academic and professional background to her new role. Holding a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the Lebanese University, a DEA in Chemistry, and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Haute-Alsace, el-Zein is a formidable scientist known for her unwavering determination and extensive knowledge.

A Trailblazer in Science and Environmental Affairs

Since assuming her position at the CNRS-L, Professor el-Zein has shown a remarkable commitment to environmental issues, forging strong partnerships with the Ministry of the Environment under the dynamic leadership of Nasser Yassin. In 2013, she left her position as a lecturer at the University of Haute-Alsace to join the CNRS, where she launched a new research focus on innovative materials for radioactive decontamination.

el-Zein’s achievements are numerous. She has been twice awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science prize, both regionally in 2016 and internationally in 2017. She is also the founder of Dawrikounna, an observatory for Lebanese women in scientific research, and has organized the “Ma thèse en 180 secondes” competition in Lebanon.

Advocating for Key Causes

As the President of the Scientific Committee of the UNESCO General Conference, el-Zein has been a staunch advocate for several key causes:

1. Symbiosis between Academic, Public, Private Sectors, and Civil Society: el-Zein believes that a healthy society can only develop through scientific research, fostered by close collaboration among these four sectors.
2. Women’s Participation in Scientific Research: She has been a vocal advocate for increasing women’s involvement in scientific research.
3. Preservation of National Resources: el-Zein is committed to safeguarding Lebanon’s natural wealth.

Strategic Vision for Scientific Research

el-Zein’s approach to advancing scientific research in Lebanon revolves around three main strategies: valorization, orientation, and popularization. She emphasizes that the valorization of research should not be limited to industrial applications but should also inform public policy. Interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers is crucial, as countries that base their policies on scientific research have proven more resilient in times of crisis.

Under her leadership, the CNRS-L has, for the first time since its inception in 1962, defined scientific priorities through a collaborative process involving decision-makers. This aims to fund projects that address national challenges and encourage policymakers to integrate local expertise into public policy planning.

Pioneering Science Communication

el-Zein is a pioneer in science communication. Before her tenure at the CNRS-L, she organized various activities to promote scientific communication. Notably, she partnered with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) to offer training sessions that attracted many young Lebanese scientists. She believes that since research is funded by public money, it is essential to communicate the findings to the citizens.

In 2022 and 2023, el-Zein organized “scientific mezzes,” informal dinners where science was shared with the public in a convivial and simplified manner. She stresses the importance of scientific journalism and advocates collaboration with information faculties to establish training programs in this field.

Championing Women in Research

A staunch advocate for women’s rights in research, el-Zein has been actively involved in promoting gender equality in the scientific community. Through Dawrikounna, she conducted the first studies on women in scientific research in Lebanon, categorized by discipline and position. In a recent interview on LBCi, she expressed optimism about the representation of women in the government, noting that it is now based on competence rather than political affiliation or gender quotas.

Defending Lebanon’s Natural Resources

el-Zein’s passion for the environment has been evident throughout her career. In 2024, she established the National Center for Natural Risks and Early Warning at the CNRS-L, which documented the damages caused by the war with Israel that year. She also developed the LebAlerts app, allowing Lebanese citizens to report and detect fires and earthquakes. The app is set to include additional features for floods and landslides.

Moreover, el-Zein has initiated international collaborations to study and protect Lebanon’s marine resources through the CNRS Marine Science Center.

A Minister Ready for Action

As the new Minister of the Environment, el-Zein brings a clear vision and an ambitious action plan to her role. Her strategy focuses on three main areas: restructuring the ministry, developing a reconstruction strategy, and combating water, air, and waste pollution.

She proposes a comprehensive restructuring and modernization of the ministry, including a new salary grid. Acknowledging the high expectations of the Lebanese people after recent challenges, she calls for pragmatic realism. For the reconstruction of war-torn areas, el-Zein emphasizes environmental considerations, such as using war debris to expand the Costa Brava landfill after treatment. She views waste as a valuable resource for a circular economy and stresses the importance of decentralization and collaboration with the private sector.

el-Zein is also committed to reducing air pollution by mandating the installation of state-provided filters on neighborhood generators. Her action plan promises to significantly improve Lebanon’s environmental landscape.

Following in the footsteps of Nasser Yassin, the Ministry of the Environment is in capable hands with Tamara el-Zein, who is more motivated than ever to drive positive change, as she has consistently done throughout her career.