Hanaa Hariri

Hanaa Hariri is an active Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding the spatial organization of metabolic pathways and organelle contact sites in cellular metabolism, with particular emphasis on lipid trafficking, storage, and utilization.

Education:

• B.S. in Biological Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon, 2007
• M.Sc. in Cell and Molecular Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, 2009
• Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee FL, 2015
• Postdoctoral fellow, Cellular Metabolism, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX, 2020

Dr. Hariri's research program investigates how cells organize metabolic pathways through inter-organelle contact sites. Her work particularly focuses on lipid trafficking, storage, and utilization, as well as the organization of metabolic networks and nutrient signaling pathways. Her research has important implications for understanding aging and metabolic disorders. The Hariri research group employs a multi-disciplinary approach combining proteomics, lipidomics, high-resolution imaging, metabolic analysis, and classical biochemistry and genetics to study these processes using yeast and human cell lines. Her work bridges fundamental cell biology with potential clinical applications in metabolic diseases.

Dr. Hariri's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on organelle contact sites, particularly those involving lipid droplets and their role in cellular metabolism. Her work spans from fundamental mechanisms of lipid trafficking and metabolism to implications for human disease, including neurodegenerative disorders like SCAR20. A notable trend in her research is the investigation of specialized proteins like SNX-RGS that function as tethers between organelles and potentially as lipid transfer proteins. Her most recent work continues to expand our understanding of how lysosomal membrane contact sites serve as integrative hubs for cellular communication and homeostasis.

Dr. Hariri teaches a variety of courses including Molecular Cell Biology (BIO6000), Introduction to Research Practice (BIO4990, BIO6890, NEU4990, NEU6990), Light Microscopy and Imaging (BIO7560), and Introduction to Cell Biology (BIO2600). Her teaching spans multiple terms from Fall 2023 through projected courses for Fall 2025, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to undergraduate and graduate education at Wayne State University.

The Hariri research group employs a multi-disciplinary approach that combines advanced biochemical, imaging, and genomic techniques to study metabolic organization at organelle contact sites. Her lab appears to collaborate extensively with other researchers, particularly with W. Mike Henne, suggesting a collaborative research environment with strong connections to other institutions.