His main fields of interest are Neuro-orthopedics, Congenital anomalies, spinal deformities and Bone tumors. He promoted collaboration between engineers and clinicians, by co-founding the Biomedical engineering module – Ecole Superieure des Ingenieurs de Beyrouth – USJ. He is co-founder and co-director of the gait and biomechanics laboratory, St Joseph University.

Ismat Ghanem is member of various scientific societies, SOFCOT, EPOS, POSNA, IPOTT …, and is currently board member of the IFPOS (International Federation of Pediatric Orthopedic Societies), and Formerly General Secretary of European Pediatric Orthopedic Society (EPOS), and member of EPOS nomination committee. He is reviewer and board member of many journals (CORR, RCO, OTSR, JPOB, JCOR, BMC, …) and was organizer or co-organizer of more than 15 local or international conferences.

Professor Ghanem was 7 times best paper award winner in international conferences, and was 30 times invited speaker and visiting professor in many countries. He has 125 scientific publications in peer review journals and 35 chapters in books or encyclopedias