About Me

I'm a graduate student in Religious Studies at the University of Iowa, passionate about exploring the intersection of religion, culture, and human experience. With a strong foundation in both religious studies and philosophy, I bring critical thinking and nuanced perspective to understanding diverse faith traditions and their place in society.

Academic Focus

My research and teaching center on Islamic civilization, Middle Eastern studies, and rhetoric—examining how communities communicate, interpret meaning, and shape understanding across cultural and religious boundaries. I'm particularly interested in how women's voices and experiences inform religious discourse and practice.

Research Interests: Islamic Ethics & Economics

I specialize in the intersection of Islamic ethics and economics, with a particular focus on the groundbreaking sociological theories of Ibn Khaldun. His work explores a fascinating question: how does our material reality—the way we make a living—shape our ethical disposition, both as individuals and as cultures?

This inquiry resonates deeply in our contemporary moment. Ibn Khaldun's insights reveal how economic structures and livelihood practices are not separate from an ethical life, but fundamentally intertwined with it. I'm interested in how his medieval Islamic framework speaks to modern ethical challenges around labor, equity, and the relationship between economic systems and moral values. His sociological approach offers a bridge between economic analysis and ethical philosophy—showing that understanding how societies actually function economically is essential to understanding their ethical character.

Teaching & Mentorship

I'm committed to fostering engaged learning environments. As a teaching assistant and instructor at the University of Iowa, I've led discussions, created syllabi, and mentored students in courses ranging from Islamic civilization to rhetoric and writing. I believe in making complex ideas accessible while challenging students to think critically about the world around them.

Leadership & Service

Beyond the classroom, I'm an advocate for graduate student voices. I serve as a union representative, faculty senate representative, and graduate student senator—working to support my peers and ensure that student concerns are heard in institutional decision-making.

Recognition

My work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Alice Maguerite Blough Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Research and the E.P. Adler Award. I was also honored with the Rev. Louis P. Penningroth Scholarship for demonstrating genuine concern for fellow students.