[1] Following his undergraduate degree, Hannun continued at the American University of Beirut, obtaining an MD with distinction in 1981 and completing his internship and a residency in internal medicine [2] In 1983, Hannun left Lebanon to take up specialty training at Duke University with a fellowship in hematology and oncology as well as undergoing post-doctoral training in Biochemistry under Professor Robert Bell.
[3][4][5][6] These early studies by Hannun and his colleagues ushered in a period of broader investigation on sphingolipid metabolism and function.
[9] Under Hannun's leadership, cancer research and care at Stony Brook has expanded, including the establishment of a new department of bioinformatics to use computer technology to collect and analyze biological data.
[10] In the field of bioactive sphingolipids, Hannun has contributed over 500 academic research articles and reviews, and published a number of books.
[15] While at the American University of Beirut, Hannun met his wife Lina M. Obeid, a fellow physician scientist and biomedical researcher who also made seminal contributions to the sphingolipid field.