The MRN mentorship scheme aims to connect early stage and aspiring researchers with more experienced academics. Our mentors are highly experienced and accomplished in a range of academic fields and are well acquainted with the struggles of climbing the academic ladder. The scheme will allow you to receive tailored advice on your specific academic ambitions - whether you are an undergraduate or Masters student considering a PhD, already a PhD student, or stepping into a postdoctoral position - all whilst gaining a unique Muslim perspective into the academic process.
To apply, please identify an MRN mentor of interest and fill out the dedicated form at the bottom of this page. You should include the name of the mentor you would like to be paired with, any specifics of the assistance you require, and any pending applications or interviews.
To apply, please identify an MRN mentor of interest and fill out the dedicated form at the bottom of this page. You should include the name of the mentor you would like to be paired with, any specifics of the assistance you require, and any pending applications or interviews.
Our Mentors
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Dr Wahbi El-Bouri
Engineering
I am currently a Tenure Track Fellow at the Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at the University of Liverpool. Here I work at the interface of mathematical modelling, machine learning and clinical practice, working closely with cardiologists and epidemiologists to develop in-silico (computational) models of the cardiovascular system that can be used to aid clinical decision making. I also work on developing in-silico clinical trials such that new therapies can be simulated on virtual human subjects prior to being approved for costly clinical trials – a bit like how aeroplane manufacturers simulate their plane designs before building the expensive prototypes.
Prior to my post in Liverpool, I was a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford University building in-silico trials of stroke and its treatment. During that time, I was a Research Fellow at Keble College where I tutored engineering. I have also been a postdoctoral researcher at Southampton General Hospital, working on measuring intracranial pressure non-invasively. I completed my DPhil at Oxford University in mathematical modelling of blood flow in the brain. I also completed my MEng at Oxford University in Engineering Science. Wahbi's Researchgate Profile Google Scholar LinkedIn Profile Twitter: @WahbiKElBouri |
Dr Usaama Al-Azami
Islamic Studies
Dr Usaama al-Azami is the Departmental Lecturer in
Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University. He read his BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford, and his MA and PhD in Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University. Usaama al-Azami is primarily interested in the interaction between Islam and modernity with a special interest in modern developments in Islamic political thought. His PhD which he is working to develop into his second monograph is entitled "Modern Islamic Political Thought: Islamism in the Arab World from the Late 20th to the Early 21st Centuries". His broader interests extend to a range of disciplines from the Islamic scholarly tradition from the earliest period of Islam down to the present. |
Dr Muhammad MekiEconomics
Dr Muhammad Meki is a development economist based at the University of Oxford, where he holds a joint position between the Department of International Development and the Centre for Islamic Studies. He is also affiliated with the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE). He completed his PhD from the Department of Economics, University of Oxford, followed by a post-doctoral research fellowship until 2020. He has also previously completed postgraduate degrees in finance (MSc, LSE), economics (PGDip, Cambridge), and development economics (MSc, Oxford). Prior to academia, Muhammad worked for five years as a trader in the financial markets, for Bank of America in London and Deutsche Bank in Singapore. In his research, he is interested in the effect of equity-like financial contracts — involving, for example, shared ownership of fixed assets, sharing of revenue streams, or profit sharing — on the investment and growth of small firms. He has conducted fieldwork in Pakistan, Kenya, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
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Prof. Afaf El-SagheerChemistry
Professor Afaf El-Sagheer is a Professor of Nucleic Acid Chemistry and a research fellow at Oxford University and Suez University. Afaf studied Chemistry at Suez Canal University (Egypt) and did her PhD at Southampton University with Professor John Mellor then moved back to Egypt to become a lecturer. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2009 then Professor in 2014 at Suez University. Afaf is on a long term sabbatical working in the Chemistry Department at Oxford on the use of click chemistry to assemble novel long modified biocompatible DNA and RNA constructs for modified gene synthesis and on new methods of DNA synthesis and its applications in biology and medicine (diagnostics and therapeutics). Some of the reagents she developed are commercially available. Afaf has more than 150 publications in high impact factor journals in addition to few patents and chapter books. She has been invited to give talks in scientific meetings in the UK, Europe, USA and China.
Media Coverage of Prof. El-Sagheer's Work |
Dr Mohamady El-GabyBiological Sciences
Dr Mohamady El-Gaby is a postdoctoral researcher in Neuroscience at the University of Oxford and also co-leads the Muslim Researchers’ Network. His research focuses on neural mechanisms of cognition. This work involves combining cellular, network, behavioural and computational approaches to investigate how our brains form abstract cognitive maps. His previous contributions include elucidating plasticity rules and neural codes involved in flexible learning. In addition to his research, he also delivers lectures and tutorials in Neuroscience to undergraduate students at the university of Oxford.
Dr El-Gaby's Google Scholar page |
Dr Omar Abdel-MannanClinical Research
I am currently a senior trainee in Paediatric Neurology (ST8) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (London, UK) and Clinical Research Fellow at UCL Institute of Neurology. I completed my medical degree at Oxford University in 2011, which was followed by foundation jobs and general paediatric and neonatal medicine training in North London (2011-2018). I was also selected as an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (2014-2017). This year I have started a PhD in paediatric multiple sclerosis and demyelinating conditions at UCL Institute of Neurology Queens Square MS Centre and following this I will aim to complete my training to become an independent clinician academic with an interest in neuro-inflammatory conditions of childhood. I am also completing a long distance MSc in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Dr Abdel-Mannan's Researchgate Profile Google Scholar LinkedIn Profile UCL Research Profile |
Dr Iman HassanPsychology
Dr Iman Hassan completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford in 2020. As part of her thesis, she explored the associations that burdensomeness (i.e. “I am a burden”) and lack of belongingness (i.e. “I am alone”) have with thoughts related to suicide. This was explored in people aged 50 years and above from different ethnic backgrounds. The research highlighted the importance of burdensomeness when assessing suicide risk regardless of ethnic background. Iman balances clinical and research work in her current role as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS. She is interested in developing culturally sensitive approaches within mainstream mental health services.
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Dr Yasser HassanMaterial Sciences
Yasser obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry with Professor Greg Scholes and Professor Mitch Winnik at the University of Toronto in 2016. In doing so, he developed reliable and reproducible synthetic procedures to fabricate monodispersed quantum dots and hybrid perovskite 2D materials with functionalized surfaces suitable for optoelectronic applications. He also developed extensive knowledge of materials, nanochemistry, applied physics, solar energy conversion, photodetection, and photocatalytic applications. In 2016, Yasser commenced a post-doctoral research contract at the University of Oxford. He undertook experimental and modelling research work to solve various scientific challenges in nanomaterials-based thin film technology. Under the supervision of Professor Henry Snaith, Yasser launched and developed a nanomaterials laboratory, initiating an innovative and exciting research direction that continues to this day with several scientists. Yasser's research work at Oxford resulted in multiple academic journal publications including JACS and Nature. Yasser is co-authored 17+ peer reviewed papers and five patents. Dr Hassan is the co-founder of the Education Clinic group (followed by ~70K on FB), which focus on mentorship and helping undergraduate/graduate students in the Middle East to land in Western Universities to pursue their graduate studies. As a Board member, Yasser develops policies as well as building the structure of the organization. He is a team leader of both the Career resource centre and Science Dissemination centre. Helped more than 100 students reach their academic goals and revised their documents and applications.
Dr Hassan's ORCID page Researchgate Profile |
Dr Suriyah BiAnthropology & Social Policy
I completed my BA (Hons) in Human Sciences at Magdalen College, University of Oxford (2014) during which I received a scholarship to study at Stanford University's Sophomore College. I then completed my MA at School of Oriental and African Studies (2015), after which I pursued my PhD at University College London, which I have recently successfully defended (July 2019). During the final year of my PhD I was a VAR fellow at Yale University’s Department of Anthropology. I have been teaching and lecturing at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, and the University of Edinburgh. At Edinburgh I am also the Deputy Programme Director for Social Research. I have founded and am Chief Editor of the Journal of British Muslim Studies.
I am also keen to channel my research findings into policies that can make positive social change at the grassroots level. I founded the Equality Act Review in. 2018 to protect and improve the Equality Act 2010, in order to create a just, fair, and equal society for all. I conduct various equality research through the organisation and employ this in the influencing of policy, by advising and briefing MPs and Ministers. Furthermore, I am a Researcher for the APPG on Muslim Women where I am currently leading the research into Muslim Women's experiences of maternity care in the UK. I am happy to mentor students interested in a career in academia and policy. Dr Bi's website Equality Act Review Journal of British Muslim Studies Dr Bi's University Profile Page |
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