CURA Faculty Research Assistants
Past Assistants
Hussam Aitelqadi
Hussam Aitelqadi (class of 2023) is an International Relations and Public Administration transfer student to GU-Q, coming from the International University of Sarajevo. Born in Bosnia, he is a Moroccan and has lived most of his life in Qatar. He assisted Professor Karine Walther on her book, Spreading the Faith. He is planning to major in International Politics, but his primary fields of interest are political economy and national security.
Anji Effat
Anji Effat (class of 2021) is a student at GU-Q majoring in International Economics. She worked as a research assistant at CIRS with Professor Karine Walther. Her interests revolve around renewable sources of energy (solar, more specifically), cross-cultural understanding, and political economy.
Ibtesam Abaza (2014-2015)
Nada Abdelhay (2015-2016)
Nada Abdelhay (class of 2016) worked as a student Research Assistant with Professor Firat Oruc and assisted him with primary and secondary research on the history of cultural exchanges and social interactions between Arab and Ottoman communities during the past two centuries. Her research interests revolved around topics in Islamic law, gender empowerment, and history. After graduation, Nada worked as a Research Fellow at GU-Q and as a Disaster Response Coordinator at Qatar Red Crescent. Following that, she also worked as a Course Assistant at GU-Q during the 2017-2018 academic year.
Abdullah Ahmed (2016-2017)
Abdullah Ahmed (class of 2016) graduated from GU-Q with a major in International Economics. He served president of the Student Government Association during his senior year. As a student, Abdullah interned at the Qatar Development Bank, Silatech, and Mathaf Museum of Modern Art, and he currently works for the government of Qatar.
Awatif Al Habsi (2016-2017)
Awatif Al Habsi graduated from Georgetown University in Qatar as a member of the class of 2018. As an undergraduate, she pursued her major in International Economics and worked as a student Research Assistant with Professor Rogaia Abusharaf. She participated in many extra curricular activities including the Zones of Conflict/Zones of Peace trip to Zanzibar. Awatif gained considerable professional experience by interning at several organizations including the United States Embassy in Qatar and Petroleum Development Oman. She is currently interning with The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Yara Alkahala (2017-2018)
Yara Alkahala (class of 2018) graduated from GU-Q with a major in International Economics and worked as a student Research Assistant with Professor Mongoljin Batsaikhan. She was an active student at GU-Q and participated in the Zones of Conflict/Zones of Peace research trip to Japan and served on the university’s student government association. She was also on the organizing committee of the annual MESSA conference and interned at United States Embassy in Qatar.
Najwa Khaled Al Obaidli
Najwa Al Obaidli (class of 2019) was a student at GU-Q majoring in International Politics with a focus on economics. She currently works as a research assistant at CIRS with Professor Firat Oruc on the topic of Gulf Cinema and Documentaries in the region in the 1940s. She is also a member of the Georgetown Ambassador Society and the Legal and Political Studies Association. Her interests revolve around regional Gulf studies, Women and Law, environmental improvements, and political economy.
Aslı Altınışık (2015-2016)
Aslı Altınışık (class of 2016) worked as a research assistant for Professor Firat Oruc during 2015-2016. After completing her degree at GU-Q, Aslı enrolled in the American University of Beirut to pursue a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies. Her thesis is on the National Museum in Beirut, Lebanon, and its role in forming and shaping the contestations of nationalism in the country.
Wesley Chen (2017-2018)
Wesley Chen (class of 2020) is a junior at GU-Q, pursuing a major in International Politics with a certificate in American Studies. He worked as a research assistant to Dr. Uday Chandra, researching democratic politics and populism in contemporary India. Wesley’s work with CIRS primarily involved surveying the wider literature on populism and extracting comparative insights, in addition to preparing an index for another book by Dr. Chandra.
Mariam Diefellah (2016-2017)
Mariam Diefellah (class of 2017) graduated from GU-Q with a major in Culture and Politics and worked as a research assistant for Professor Reza Pirbhai. She also earned a certificate in Media and Politics and was selected as an undergraduate research fellow for the coveted Education and Social Justice Fellowship. Mariam participated in many clubs and activities at GU-Q including the Bollywood Club. She currently works as an Account Executive at Weber Shandwick.
Mohammad Harb (2016-2017)
Mohammad Harb graduated from Georgetown University in Qatar as a member of the class of 2014. As an undergraduate student, he majored in Culture and Politics and after graduation, he joined GU-Q as a Student Development Officer. Later, he went on to pursue a master’s degree from Harvard in Middle Eastern Studies where he also served as the co-chair of Arab conference at Harvard.
Mohamed Sirelkhatim (2012-2014)
Mohamed Sirelkhatim graduated from GU-Q as a member of the class of 2015. He was actively involved as a student and served as president of the Student Government Association. He worked as a research assistant to Professor Rory Miller and Professor Amira Sonbol He interned at the United States Embassy in Qatar as a Foreign Commercial Service Research Intern. Mohamed currently works as an events and gaming specialist at ADabisc Future Qatar.
Zohaib Tahir (2017-2018)
Zohaib Tahir graduated from Georgetown University in Qatar as a member of the class of 2018. In his fourth year, he joined the CIRS as a research assistant to Professor Karl Widerquist, working on the economics of basic income experiments. Zohaib is now working as an in-country analyst for Euromonitor International, conducting quantitative and qualitative research on consumer products and industries in Doha, Qatar.