Chantal Matar successfully implemented a long-term research program by partnering with different stakeholders at national and international levels. Her expertise is focused on research related to nutrition/immunology/cancer and establishing the role of prebiotics and probiotics on mucosal and tumoral immunity. Professor Matar was pioneer in demonstrating the protective effects of probiotics within the Gut-Breast Axis. Additionally, her work on nutritional programming has led to a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlining the immunoprotective role of probiotics in modulating TLRs, cancer stem cells, and microRNAs. In collaboration with International Agency for Research on Cancer, a specialized agency of the World Health Organization, she is working toward development of microbiome-based health applications for chemoprevention of breast cancer.
Recent awards
- 2021: Research Impact Faculty’s Award, Recognizing excellence in research and outreach both nationally and internationally
- 2020: Union for International Cancer Control UICC Technical Fellowship, in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer
- 2016 – 2018: Academic member of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) North America Advisory Committee
- 2016: Best Research Award (Japan), In recognition of an outstanding contribution to research in nutrition and integrative medicine