She currently works as a partner design consultant and joint researcher with Tarek Khoury. They have published a variety of papers related to topics such as: design writing, research and education as well as Lebanese design culture and art. They have participated in design and education conferences in Korea, Mexico, the United States, Turkey and China. Melissa, though originally from the United States, has resided and taught in Lebanon since 2004. She specializes in teaching publication design, typography, design history and theory. She holds a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a MFA from Boston University. Both of her degrees are in Graphic Design.