Summary of Experience
During the past 12 years I held various research (Texas A&M University, Purdue University, Qatar Foundation), consulting (UN FAO, UN DRR, UN ESCWA, IWMI, GIZ, IRENA, Oliver Wyman, IWRA, Union for the Mediterranean, Waterlution), coordination (Water-Energy-Food Nexus Initiative), program evaluation (Penn State University and PRIMA) and leadership (IWRA, Sustainable Development Solutions Network) positions with multiple international organizations.
Moving forward, I am looking to leverage my diverse experiences and expertise gained from past roles to continue contributing to global sustainable development initiatives, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and guiding evidence-based, community engaged, sustainable and resilient water, energy, and food systems transformation.
Education and Summary of Trasferrable Skills
Education
Columbia Business School, New York, USA
March-May 2022
- Executive Certificate, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investing
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
Aug 2015 – May 2019
- Doctor of Philosophy, Water Management and Hydrological Sciences
- Dissertation: Bridging Physical and Social Sciences to Unlock New Potential for Addressing Interconnected Resource Challenges
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Aug 2010 – Dec 2012
- Master of Science in Engineering, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
- Thesis: Water, Energy, and Food Nexus: A Basis for Strategic Planning for Natural Resources
American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Sep 2006 – Jun 2010
- Bachelor of Civil Engineering, with distinction
- Research Project: Civil and infrastructural upgrade of an informal setting in Sabra area, Beirut
Summary of transferrable skills
Sustainability expert
with 12 years of experience developing quantitative scenario analysis tools for supporting evidenced-based water-energy-food system transformation, as evidenced by 60+highly cited publications on case studies based in the United States, Lebanon, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Morocco, and Bangladesh, among others.
Experienced researcher
proficient in analyzing complex data and conducting comprehensive reviews of scientific and grey literature pertaining to integrated policy frameworks and multi-criteria sustainability assessments. Skillful in leveraging insights gained from trade-off analyses to inform evidence-based decision-making processes.
Experienced facilitator
of multi-stakeholder engagement workshops and capacity-building training activities geared toward catalyzing collective action and coordinated cross-sectoral decision making, with experience in managing and building partnerships across government, civil society, private sector, and academia, demonstrated in Texas, Qatar, and Jordan.
Excellent communicator
fully fluent in English and Arabic, evidenced by leading publications and workshops in both languages, with 70+ invited technical and non-technical talks in 15+ countries, including a TEDx Talk.
Expert project manager and grant writer
with exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage complex portfolio of activities, demonstrated by co-leading 8 projects between 2020 to 2024, supported by funders including the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, and GIZ, amounting to over $ 7.9 M
Cross-functional collaborator
with experience building strong networks, demonstrated through playing leadership roles in establishing and maintaining 3 national & global networks related to zero hunger solutions (US), sustainable food systems (US-Africa), and soil, land management, and climate change (US-Global).