Research

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Developmental Traumas are a major public health concern with deleterious implications on the lifespan trajectory that affect millions of individuals globally. While my program of research focuses on adversity and trauma in marginalized youth and families, I also partner with underserved communities to promote resilience, capacity building and posttraumatic growth. Currently, I partner with the Coptic Church, a MENA community, to identify youth programmatic needs and equip its youth care providers with evidence-based practices in a culturally responsive and contextually relevant way. As a daughter of immigrants, Coptic diaspora youth, and Coptic youth serving professional, this scholarly work is directly related to my personal goal to support our youth and community professionals with the tools and resources that I wish I had. Finally, my mission as a scientist-practitioner is to broaden scientific impact by drawing on interdisciplinary methods and the wisdom of community gatekeepers.