Prof. Rachel Matar (American University of Ras Al Khaimah) UAE

Prof. Rachel Matar is Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah- UAE (AURAK), bringing over 16 years of academic leadership, research excellence, and strategic program development. She leads a multidisciplinary school encompassing a diverse portfolio of undergraduate programs in Biotechnology, Psychology, and Media and Communication, alongside the Master of Education in Educational Leadership. The School also delivers the university’s General Education curriculum, positioning it at the core of shaping all AURAK graduates. Prof. Matar is responsible for advancing academic strategy, accreditation, faculty development, and industry engagement, with a strong focus on aligning education with future workforce needs and global challenges. She holds a Ph.D. in Structural and Functional Biochemistry, specializing in Drug Design and Delivery, from Claude Bernard University Lyon I, and an MSc in Bioinformatics, Structural Biochemistry, and Genomics from the Mediterranean University in Marseille, France. Her early research at the Institute of Biology and Chemistry of Proteins in Lyon focused on membrane proteins and chemoresistance, leading to patented technologies and contributing to the founding of the biotechnology company CALIXAR, bridging research and real-world innovation. At AURAK, she has progressed through key academic and leadership roles, culminating in her current position as Dean, where she drives institutional growth, program innovation, and academic excellence. She has led the design and accreditation of multiple programs, including Psychology, Medical Biotechnology, Cell and Molecular Biotechnology, and the UAE’s first CAA-accredited Forensic Biology program, and has contributed extensively to institutional and program accreditations with CAA, SACSCOC, QAA and ABET. Her leadership emphasizes student-centered learning, research integration, and employability, with a strong commitment to embedding research and industry collaboration within academic programs. Her research portfolio includes competitive grants in biofuels, antibiotic resistance, and cancer therapeutics, with her work in protein crystallization and drug design widely cited. As a certified accreditation reviewer and contributor to international review panels, Prof. Matar contributes to advancing global standards in higher education quality, innovation, and impact.