Interns & Researchers
Interns:
Melissa Chalhoub
As an honors student studying political science with minors in women and gender studies and legal studies in the United States, Melissa has been immersed in social and political issues in Lebanon and the Arab region all my life. She has dedicated my years in university to expanding my knowledge in diverse fields, especially gender equality, by studying the origin and foundation of oppression in different ways. Born and raised in Lebanon, she has witnessed the obstacles and injustice imposed on women and have challenged herself to dive into work which would create a path towards reformation and a more equitable tomorrow. As an aspiring international lawyer, she is committed to gaining the necessary skills which the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University would equip her with, to go into the international field with a global and human approach to overlook and enforce laws within the existing legal frameworks while aiming to always work in the direction of advancement and evolution.
Noun Muftich
Currently pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in public relations and advertising, Noon is deeply committed to uncovering the nuances of women’s psychological experiences through research and storytelling. With a passion for media and gender theory, her academic journey explore analytical inquiry with creative aspects, fueling her aspiration to specialize in enhancing the research on women’s issues. Born and raised in Lebanon, she has witnessed firsthand the institutional silence surrounding women’s mental health and marginalization. She views research as a powerful tool—not just for understanding, but for visibility. Through her time at the Arab Institute for Women, she hopes to cultivate interdisciplinary work that amplifies underrecognized issues and contributes to a more equitable psychological discourse in the Arab world.
Thea Sarkis
Théa Maria Sarkis is a Political Science – International Affairs student at the Lebanese American University (LAU), pursuing a minor in Legal Studies. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of law, gender, and international development, with a particular focus on the socio-political dynamics of the MENA region. Aside from being a recipient of the dean’s high distinction list and being enrolled in the honors program, Théa has been actively involved in various extracurricular and advocacy initiatives such as volunteering with Opus Dei, the Order of Malta, and Model European Union. Through her internship at a Beirut-based law firm as well as her training for the CITI Program in Human Subject Research Certification, she was able to deepen her interest in the legal dimensions of human rights and policy, and equipped herself with essential knowledge in ethics, privacy, and responsible data handling in academic research. As part of her internship at the Arab Institute for Women, she is contributing to ongoing efforts in gender-based violence prevention, policy analysis, and community outreach. Her long-term goals include pursuing graduate studies and working in legal advocacy, research, or international development, with a continued focus on amplifying women’s voices and promoting justice in the region.
Yorgo Bou Assi
Yorgo Bou Assi is a distinguished student majoring in Political Science and International Affairs at the Lebanese American University (LAU). Recognized for his academic excellence, Yorgo has been named to the Dean’s High Distinction List, a testament to his dedication and intellectual rigor. In addition to his undergraduate studies, Yorgo holds multiple certifications in research ethics and methodology, including credentials in Social-Behavioral-Educational Research, GCP – Social and Behavioral Research Best Practices for Clinical Research, and Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research. Yorgo’s academic and professional interests center on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a particular focus on its geopolitics, history, and evolving political dynamics. His passion for the region drives both his scholarly pursuits and his role as a consultant at a prominent consulting firm that partners with all of the Big Four global consulting firms. Beyond the academic and professional spheres, Yorgo is also a dedicated mixed martial art (MMA) and Muay Thai coach.
Rachel Shalhoub
Rachel Shalhoub is a Political Science and International Affairs student at the Lebanese American University, with a strong focus on civic engagement, youth advocacy and feminist thought. As a Dean’s Honor List recipient, she has extensive experience in leadership and negation through her work with Model United Nations, having awarded as Secretary General in multiple conferences such as LAUMUN (Lebanese American University), HMUN (Harvard MUN), YMUN (Yale MUN), and currently as a trainer and Secretariat member guiding younger students in diplomacy. She has also held senior roles at BHSMUN (Broummana High School MUN), including Director of Organization and Director of Media and Communication). Rachel’s work spans education, research and community service. She provides English tutoring tailored to different learning levels and is certified in human subject’s research (CITI) and is currently exploring themes around ethical research, political participation, gender equity in the Lebanese context. She is particularly interested in the role of youth in shaping public discourse and policy.
Researchers:
Nay El-Rahi
Nay El-Rahi is a Feminist Researcher, Writer, and Political Activist. Since2008, she has been working at the intersection between advocacy for gender justice and the production of critical knowledge around relevant themes. El-Rahi is published on platforms like Assafir, Al Modon, Sawt Al Niswa, and The Guardian, and has worked with Oxfam in Lebanon and Tunisia, Hivos International, Raising Voices (Uganda), and KAFA, among others. She previously taught gender and media at the Lebanese American University, and served as the New Paradigms Factory fellow at the Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS). She is the co-founder of HarassTracker, an initiative to fight the normalization of sexual harassment in Lebanon, and is currently trying to understand anti- feminist backlash, and the shrinking of civic space in the Lebanese context at The Arab Institute for Women (AiW).
Research Affiliates:
Jana Mrad
Jana Mourad is a Research Associate and a PhD candidate in Public Economics at the University of Kassel in Germany. Prior to her current position, she worked as a “Gender Studies Research Specialist” at the Arab Institute for Women (AiW), Lebanese American University (LAU) where she led and contributed to various research initiatives promoting gender equality and the rights of women and minority groups in Lebanon and the region. She was also a researcher at the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS) contributing to policy-oriented research on governance, elections, and socio-economic reforms. Mourad has consulted for several international organizations, including UN Women, the World Bank Group, and the Natural Resource Governance Institute, focusing on issues ranging from women’s political participation to energy transitions and refugee inclusion. She has taught at Philipps University Marburg as well. She holds a master’s degree in “Economic Behavior and Governance” from the University of Kassel in Germany, a master’s degree in Applied Economics from the American University of Beirut (AUB), and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Lebanese American University (LAU).