Work with thought leaders and academic experts from Rice University

Associate Director, Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance / July, 2015 — Present

Run strategy & operations for international, premier research institute on the study and advancement of religious tolerance. Expanded religious inclusion & interfaith leadership education policies, programs at Rice, eg YoY o Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble. Advise & train government, corporate, and nonprofit leaders on including religion & belief in diversity & inclusion agendas. Expanded programming held by 800%, overall attendance by 2600%. Expanded media reach to 200+M people. Procured 80+ institutional partners; personally trained directly or indirectly 1M government, corporate, education, and faith sector leaders at local, state, and national levels. Addressed 300 leaders from 50+ nations at invitation of Ambassador Brownback, State Dept. & Former UK PM Tony Blair. Addressed G-20 IF Summit. Featured on BBC, ABC, NYT, German press, CBS’s Hidden Heroes, Slate, Religion News, Think Progress, Freedom’s Ring, Interfaith Youth Core. Recognized by Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer, President Obama’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, the Alliance for Compassion and Tolerance, Rice’s Hudspeth Award. Secured Institute’s recognition in The Atlantic, National Geographic, World Architects, Saudi Aramco World, Charter for Compassion, State Dept, Congress, UNHCR.

Fellow

Assistant Director, Center for the Study of American Muslims

Senior Research Associate, Dept of Political Science & Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality

Director of Strategy & Research

Gender Specialist

Mellon Fellow, Dept of Anthropology & Center for Gender Studies

Program Director, Central Asia and International Development

Assistant Professor at Michigan State University James Madison College

International Research Lead: Marginalized Populations

Director of Strategy and Operations

Lecturer in Anthropology

Lecturer in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies

Ethnographic Consultant: International Education

Research Analyst & Consultant: Global Youth Issues & Social Media

Expert Research Analyst & Consultant: Civic Engagement

Research Analyst & Consultant: Human Rights

CEO / May, 2017 — Present

Staff Data Scientist / March, 2008 — April, 2016

Director of Enterprise Data Solutions / March, 2016 — March, 2017

Design corporate data science platform, lead R&D in machine learning and AI to generate highly predictive models for field applications

Adjunct Professor / January, 2016 — Present

Teach and mentor students and elevate industrial visibility and engagement of the Dept. of Applied Mathematics and Operation Research

Associate Director and Sr. Research Associate / July, 2003 — February, 2008

Write research proposals for federal funding , lead research and promote industrial engagement at in the Center for Subsurface Modeling, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Science

Postdoctoral Scholar / January, 2020 — December, 2020

Postdoctoral Scholar / January, 2018 — December, 2019

Postdoctoral Scholar / February, 2022 — Present

Senior Scientist / October, 2021 — November, 2023

• Led the growth of a biotech startup from conception to a $3 million entity. • Built and managed a team comprising 11 employees and consultants. • Directed comprehensive pre-clinical studies to demonstrate feasibility and efficacy, aligning with expectations for pre-IND FDA meetings. • Led the application of Biochemistry and high-throughput molecular biology techniques to engineer probiotic bacterial strains that secrete anti-inflammatory human cytokines in a controlled manner, advancing therapeutic solutions. • Designed an NGS-based biomarker assay to improve the selection process for clinical trial participants, anticipating FDA requirements for the IND meeting. • Built and managed a diverse R&D team of scientists, a biomedical engineer, associate researchers, and a lab manager, fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity.

Scientist / September, 2020 — October, 2021

• Engineered optogenetic tools and developed Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators (GEVIs) for neuron behavior modulation and in-vivo monitoring, using an integrated approach spanning synthetic biology to neuroscience. • Expertly managed cell cultures, specializing in human and rodent cell lines, ensuring optimal conditions and results for experimental setups. • Utilized Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) methods for targeted neuronal manipulation. • Managed and updated SOPs and protocols, ensuring research quality and compliance. • Mastered advanced microscopy systems, such as automated confocal and Two-photon excitation, including proficiency with the NIS-Elements software (Nikon). • Mentored and trained team members, promoting professional growth and consistency in lab practices.

Post-doc / July, 2018 — September, 2020

• Developed biocomputational circuits and bacterial sensors with synthetic biology, Biochemistry, and molecular biology techniques for biomarker detection in environmental samples. • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams and played a pivotal role in multi-million-dollar projects, funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). • Developed and optimized a mini-bioreactor system capable of running 200 bioreactors for high-throughput screening of genetically engineered probiotic strains and their media, targeting desired attributes. • Spearheaded the optimization of state-of-the-art multiplex microfluidic systems. • Mastered analytical tools and methods, including Flow Cytometry, GC-MS, Microfluidics, and Python-based data analysis.

Post-doc / August, 2014 — July, 2018

• Designed bacterial strains using synthetic biology, microbiology, and protein engineering to interface with electronic circuits, produce signals for biosensors, or convert substrates into biofuels. • Collaborated with material scientists and electronic engineers and biochemists to pioneer devices designed to interface engineered bacteria with electronic circuits, targeting biofuel generation and IoT biosensor advancements. • Optimized conditions for effective biofuel production in Automated Environmental Bioreactors for Controlled Cultivation, ranging in size from 5 mL to 10,000 mL. • Acquired a diverse skill set encompassing clean room operations, bioreactor usage, metabolic simulations, analytical techniques, such as HPLC/FPLC, protein engineering, and 3D printing for device development.

Post-Doc / 2015 — 2016

• Collaborated with electronic engineers on the innovative design of an autonomous bioelectronic sensing system aimed at advancing environmental biosensing for the Office of Naval Research (ONR). • Played a pivotal role in a multi-disciplinary, multi-million-dollar project funded by the ONR, ensuring timely milestone achievements and streamlined progress. • Led a dedicated team comprising two graduate students specializing in electronic engineering and synthetic biology.

Research Scientist / 2014 — Present