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List of Speakers, Chairs, and Moderators

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HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society, Jordan

Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan is Founder and President of El Hassan Science City, President of the Royal Scientific Society and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Princess Sumaya University for Technology. HRH is also Director and Chair of the National Campaign for Public Awareness of the Drivers of Change, a Jordanian initiative to outline and debate the factors that are driving change in the Kingdom. HRH is an advocate of science and technology as a catalyst for change in the Arab World, through education, research and innovation. She seeks to promote sustainable development by maximizing human potential through education and opportunity.

Mr Haidar Fraihat, Director of Technology for Development Division, UN-ESCWA

Haidar Fraihat is the Director of Technology for Development Division (TDD) at UN-ESCWA in Beirut. Before that Fraihat held 2 government posts in Jordan including the Director General of the Jordan Department of Statistics and the Director General of the Jordan National Information Technology Center (the Government CIO) since 2006. He also served as advisor/consultant to several government ministers and NGO's. He worked as a professor in several universities in 4 countries. Fraihat has a Ph.D. in Management Science/MIS from Illinois Institute of Technology, IL. USA with specialization on MIS (1992), an MBA from the University of Bridgeport, CT. USA (1987), and a B.A. in Business and Accounting

from Yarmouk University, Jordan (1984). Dr. Fraihat has more than 50 research outputs including 13 published research papers and several papers presented in conference proceedings. Fraihat authored 3 college textbooks in MIS and Operations Research. He has numerous technical papers and research projects, and extensive publications in statistical matters.

Ms Cathleen Campbell, President and CEO, CRDF Global

Ms Campbell joined CRDF Global in 2002 and was appointed President and CEO in 2006. Campbell brings three decades of international science, technology and innovation policy and program management experience. She has worked with countries in Eurasia, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Campbell served from 1998-2002 as director of the Office of International Technology Policy and Programs, Department of Commerce. From 1995-1997, she was a senior policy analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Campbell was the U.S. State Department’s program officer for Soviet/Russia science and technology affairs from 1989-1994. Previously she held research positions at the Library of Congress, Rand Corporation, and Presearch, Incorporated. Campbell serves on the External Advisory Board, Pennsylvania State University’s School of International Affairs; the Advisory Committee, Incorporated

Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS); the Advisory Board, Muslim-Science.com; and the Innovation Index Advisory Committee, U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation. She has published articles and delivered lectures on CRDF Global’s work and science diplomacy.

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Mr William Colglazier, Former S&T Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State

William Colglazier is Visiting Scientist and Senior Scholar in the Center for Science Diplomacy at the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) and works primarily to support science diplomacy and international collaboration and cooperation in science and technology. He served as the fourth Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014. His role was to provide scientific and technical expertise and advice in support of the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. From 1994 to 2011, he served as Executive Officer of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Research Council (NRC) where he helped to oversee the studies that provide independent, objective scientific advice on public policy issues. He received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1971, and prior to 1994 worked at the

Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, the Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and the University of Tennessee. While at Harvard, he also served as Associate Director of the Program in Science, Technology, and Humanism of the Aspen Institute. As Professor of Physics at the University of Tennessee, he directed several research centers dealing with environmental, energy, and waste management issues. He is past chair of the Forum on Physics and Society of the American Physical Society (APS) and a Fellow of the AAAS and APS. In 2015 he received the Joseph A. Burton Forum Award of the American Physical Society that recognizes “outstanding contributions to the public understanding or resolution of issues involving the interface of physics and society” and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for “contributing to science and technology exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.”

Mr Adnan Badran, President, Arab Academy of Sciences

Adnan Badran is the current Chairman Board of Trustees University of Jordan, Chancellor University of Petra, with 120 publications, including 22 books and patents. He received BSc. At Oklahoma State University, an MSc. And Phd. At Michigan State University. He was awarded honorary doctorates from: Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul; Science from Michigan State University; West Watkins distinguished Lectureship Award and Hall of Fame Alumni Award from Oklahoma State University; Honorary Professorship from Eurasian National University Kazakhstan; Honorary Doctorate in Business, from Yarmouk University, Jordan. The Arab

Thought Foundation awarded Dr. Badran for best Arab Scientist in higher education research; TWAS Regional Prize for Building Scientific Institutions; Asia award for Outstanding Contribution to education. Badran was a former Prime Minister of Jordan, 2005, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Education, Former Deputy Director General of UNESCO Paris 1990-1998 and the President Arab Academy of Sciences and AFED.

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Ms Lina Arafat, Director of Jordan Institute of Diplomacy

Lina Arafat, a Political Science and Mass Communications graduate from the American University in Cairo, holds a higher degree from the United Nations Graduate Study Program in Diplomacy and International Affairs, Geneva, Switzerland. Lina started her career as a diplomat at the Jordanian Foreign Ministry and moved on to join the United Nations as an international civil servant, she continued to further develop herself as she managed initiatives and programs related to political, economic, and social dimensions, focusing on Public Diplomacy initiatives towards the Middle East funded by MEPI and USAID in the Middle East and North Africa serving as the Director of US-Middle East Partnership Initiative Alumni

Network Director. During the course of her career, Lina contributed, as well as launched substantive initiatives for the benefit of her country and participated in many international conferences representing Jordan reflecting Jordanian women competences. Lina has been very active in rule of law and diplomacy initiatives, civil society communities, and international youth activities, leading initiatives in Jordan such as Youth Building the Future, served as President of Youth Association for development, an NGO in Jordan, and as Chairperson of the Democracy Empowerment Committee in the Youth Forum of the Economic and Social Council in Jordan. She was a member of (AIESEC) Association International Des Etudiants En Science Economic Et Commerciales. Currently Ambassador Lina Arafat is the Director of the Director of the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy / Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith, President of the Council, SEASAME Project

Chris Llewellyn Smith is Director of Energy Research, Oxford University, and President of the Council of SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East). He has chaired the Council of ITER, directed the UK's fusion programme, and served as Provost and President of University College London and Director General of CERN (1994-1998, when the Large Hadron Collider was approved and construction started). His theoretical contributions to the ‘standard model’ of particle physics were recognised by his election to the Royal Society in 1984. He has written and spoken widely on science funding, international scientific collaboration and energy issues, and served on numerous advisory bodies, including the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on Science and Technology. His scientific contributions and leadership have been recognized by awards and honors world-wide, including a Royal Medal in 2015.

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Mr Fouad Mrad, Executive Director, UN ESCWA Technology Centre

Fouad Mrad joined the United Nations in December 2009 and is the founding executive director of ESCWA (Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) regional center for technology in Amman, Jordan. Fouad leads the regional support center for the consecration of science, technology, and innovation in social and economic development. The center has a board of directors representing 18 Arab countries working on regional integration in technology transfer and innovation. He received his Ph.D. and Masters degree in electrical engineering from the Purdue University, Indiana, and a BSc in electrical and computer engineering from State University of New York, Buffalo. Mrad was a professor of electrical

and computer engineering at the American University of Beirut from 1993 to 2009. Prior to his academic post in Beirut, he worked for IBM in the division of magnetic storage in Rochester, Minnesota, USA from1990 to 1993.

Ms Abier Amarin, Director, MENA Region, CRDF Global

Abier is the director of CRDF Global office in Amman which is responsible for Middle East and North Africa, holding an International Executive MBA. She Joined CRDF Global MENA office in January 2013 with the capacity of executing and managing projects with partnership of many US governmental agencies (US Department of State programs), private sector, and educational institutions. Abier has a background in computer and information systems, and worked for many years with the private sector. She then moved to the international arena where she shifted career path starting with USAID. Abier's portfolio includes several tourist-oriented handicrafts projects that are improving design, production and finishing, packaging and retailing for several cooperatives and associations from Ajloun in the North to Petra in the South. In her role, Abier manages several local and foreign specialist consultants and trainers, liaises with an American handicrafts

development subcontractor to transfer best practice to Jordanians, and organizes workshops, seminars and one-on-one training activities. She also worked for UNDP - Iraq on climate change and natural resources portfolio she contributed to the successful production of the National Strategy for Environment and its action plans.

Mr Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry, President, Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI), Slovenia

Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry is the President of the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) in Slovenia and professor at Cairo University Faculty of Medicine. Serving as Senior Policy Advisor to the Egyptian Minister and Executive Director of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Programme, he acquired extensive experience in initiating and managing Euro-Mediterranean partnerships in Education and Research. He participated in reform of the Egyptian Research and Innovation Strategy, managed innovation grants to the Research community and initiated public engagement in Science and Innovation. He is the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Euro-Mediterranean Studies and founding President of FEMIA, an international association for innovation in the Euro-Mediterranean. He formerly served as the director of the Learning Resource

Centre at Cairo University Faculty of Medicine and the President of Heliopolis University, Cairo.

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Mr Mohammad Taisir Bani Yassin, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jordan

Ambassador Mohammed Taisir Bani Yassin is a retired Major General from Jordan Armed Forces (JAF). Retiring from (JAF) as vice Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2008. He served as a Force Commander of the United Nation Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) and headed the joint military Committee between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He was assistant chief of staff for strategic Planning and organization at (JAF), heading Cooperation with friendly Countries. He was Commander of Eastern Command, the director of strategic planning an organization and a board member of the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB). He was appointed Ambassador to Iraq in 2010, General Inspector of Ministry of foreign Affairs & Expatriates till 2014, and holds the current role of Secretary General of Ministry of foreign Affairs & Expatriates. He graduated from both Jordanian and American war colleges, Jordanian and American Command and General Staff Colleges. Ambassador

Taisir is a holder of two master degrees in the fields of administration and military science from Mua’ta University, and strategic studies from American army War College.

Mr Dirar Khoury, Executive Director of Research Coordination and Special Initiatives &Acting Executive Director Education, Training and Development Research & Development, Qatar Foundation, Qatar

Dirar Khoury serves as the Executive Director of Research Coordination and Special Initiatives & Acting Executive Director of Education, Training and Development. He manages interdisciplinary and enterprise-wide activities among research and development. In particular, he is responsible for the upkeep of the Qatar National Research Strategy and, under its framework, he fosters science diplomacy both locally and internationally. He also sees that leading-edge strategic R&D initiatives are realized in coordination with the stakeholders. Khoury was educated in Biomedical Engineering and held academic positions in medicine and in electrical and computer engineering in the US. His numerous contributions include published patents, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and presentations at many international conferences. He has received several awards

and research grants from various organizations, including US President Lyndon B. Johnson Research Award from the American Heart Association.

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Mr Mouin Hamze, Secretary General, National Council for Scientific Research, Lebanon

Mouin Hamzé, Secretary General of the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), obtained his “Doctor Es Sciences” in Plant Sciences in 1983 from the University of Montpellier, France. He started his academic career at the Lebanese University where he was solicited to establish the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and was acting concurrently as Chairman of the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute. In 1998, he was appointed Secretary General of the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS-L). He gave special attention to the launching of new programs including: the Ph.D. Scholarship Program, the Grant Research Program, and the Associated Research Units Program in addition to establishing a new Science Technology & Innovation Policy (STIP). During his mandate, the CNRS celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2012 and was granted the “Islamic Development Bank Award for Science and Technology.” He has been an

active member in several regional and international institutions: CIHEAM, IAEA, ICARDA, CEDRE, ESCWA Technology Centre, AUF, IOOC and OCEMO. In recognition of his work, M. Hamzé received two Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Haute Alsace and from the University of Montpellier and was distinguishly awarded from France and Italy.

Mr Andrew Nobel, Deputy Director General for Research, ICARDA

Prior to being appointed as Deputy Director General Research, at ICARDA in September 2015, Dr Nobel held the position of Director to the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems in June 2013. He has held the positions of Senior Fellow with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Research Programme Manager for the Land and Water Resources program in the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and formerly Regional Director for IWMI in Southeast and Central Asia. He has held the position of Principal Research Scientist with the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization (CSIRO) in the Division of Land and Water; Project Leader and

Principal Research Scientist with the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research; and lecturer in the department of Crop Science, University of KwaZulu Natal South Africa.

Mr Muhammad Saidam, Chief Science Officer, Royal Scientific Society, Jordan.

Muhammad Saidam is the Chief Science Officer (CSO) of Applied Science in the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) in Jordan. He obtained his PhD in Environment and Water Resources Engineering from the Imperial College of Science Technology & Medicine (University of London) in 1995 and has been a Senior Researcher since 2006. His professional background has been centered on research and consultations in the environment, water and wastewater fields. He led and has been in research partnerships locally in Jordan, regionally in the Middle East & North Africa and internationally in European and American research programs since 1996. As a Programme Manager in the United Nations Development Programme, he supervised the management of projects in Climate Change & Environment, Poverty and Millennium Development Goals,

Democratic Governance and Disaster Risk Management in Jordan. Dr. Saidam’s current main responsibilities, as a CSO in RSS, include strategic business planning and supervising implementation of

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research and consultation projects in the four Applied Science Centers of RSS; Energy, Water & Environment, Sustainable Buildings and information Technology.

Mr Moftah Abu Roqaiah, Libyan Authority for Research and Science and Technology, Ministry of Planning, Libya

Moftah Abu Roqaiah holds a PhD in field of Thermal physics, from Zhejiang University Hangzhou – China. Prior to being appointed as the Director of the Scientific Advisors Office at the Libyan Authority for Research and Science and Technology, Dr Moftah held the position of Head of Mechanical Section in the Nuclear Reactor Department, Head of Nuclear Reactor Department and Head of the Scientific Cooperation Office. Moreover, he currently serves as a board member of the UN-ESCWA Technology Centre. Dr Abu Roqaiah is the official representative of Libyan scientific authority in many

international events and meetings.

Mr Obaid Al Saeedi, Director of Programs Department, the Research Council, Oman

Obaid Mohamed Al Saidy obtained a PhD in Statistics from the University of South Carolina, USA in August 2001. He then worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Department of Statistics in the University of South Carolina. Dr. Obaid has published several articles in refereed journals on dose-response modelling and ranked set sampling. He worked as an assistant professor at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in Sultan Qaboos between 2002 and 2008 before he became the Dean of the Higher College of Technology, Oman. Between February 2010 and August 2011, Obaid worked as the Statistical Expert and Assistant Secretary General for Information in the Shura Council (The Parliament), Oman. Since September 2013, Obaid works as the Research Programs Manager in the

Research Council, Oman.

Mr Eisa Shater, Director of Strategic Planning, Ministry of Trade, Sudan

Eisa Tarteeb Shatter, is a Sudanese, specialized in Economics Policies, he is a writer and analyst in economic issues, and has publications, and serves as a General Director of the Departments of Organizations at Ministry of Commerce in Sudan. He holds a PhD in Agriculture Economics from Ege University in Turkey.

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Mr Mahmoud Sakr, President, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology of Egypt (ASRT)

Mahmoud M. Sakr, President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) since May 2014. His duties include, science, technology and innovation (STI) indicators, policies, benchmarking of national research institutions, empowering of young researchers, research networks, clusters and technology transfer, strategic planning and preparation of technological roadmaps and foresights. He had several National Positions in Egyptian STI system as the Acting President of ASRT, Vice President of ASRT, and the Executive Director of Science and Technology Development Fund STDF. Mahmoud M. Sakr, Professor of Plant Biotechnology since Feb. 2006, finished

his Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Biology in 1995 in the Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt. He had several International Scientific Positions and duties. He is also member in the Board of Trustees and international committees of several universities. He received the State Prize for Scientific Encouragement in Advanced Biotechnology (1999), National Research Center Prize for Scientific Encouragement in Biology (1998), and National Research Center Prize for Scientific Excellence in Biotechnology (2009). He has more than 100 publications and 1 book in the field of biotechnology, participated as Principle Investigator in 13 national, regional and international research projects in plant biotechnology.

Mr Khalid Al-Dakkan, Director of Innovation & Industrial Development Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia

Khalid Al- Dakkan has 20 years of experience in R&D, industry and technology advising for government, private sectors, and academia. Professional in providing solution for business expansion and process upgrading mainly in areas related to engineering and technology. Lead teams to build initiatives and strategies for cutting-edge technologies (space technology, nanotechnology, robotics and automation). Al- Dakkan managed multiple projects and negotiated multiple research proposals with international research and business entities. He developed strategic partnership with government authorities and the industrial sector. He recently joined the Ministry of Economy and Planning as an adviser to His Excellency the Minister.

Mr Abdelhak Mouradi, Director of Research & Innovation Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Executive Training, Morocco

Abdelhak Mouradi obtained his PhD degree in 1985 in information and communication technology (ICT). He worked as Professor at the Faculty of sciences, Mohamed V University, Rabat from 1978 to 1994. He was the Deputy Director of National School of Computer Science and Systems Analysis (ENSIAS) between 1994 and 1998 and the Director of the same institute between 2003 and 2007. Currently, he is the Director of Scientific Research and Innovation (MHESRET: Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Executive Training). He was decorated with the “Wissam du Mérite National de Catégorie Exceptionnelle.” Since 2013, Prof. Mouradi is one of the key actors of the STI cooperation between Morocco and EU. He is the Minister’s representative in the Management Board of 3 European Research Projects (ARIMNET “Agricultural

Research In the Mediterranean Network”, ERANETMED “Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation Through ERANET Joint Activities And Beyond” and MOBILSE “MOrocco and the EU: strengthening BIlateral LInks

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in SciEntific research and Innovation”) and 2 European Cooperation Projects (Tempus-MonProg Project "Mesures d'accompagnement dans le montage, la gestion et le suivi des projets de recherche et de coopération" and Tempus-COMPERE-Averroès “COMpétence Projets Européens REseau Averroès”). He is also a Member of the the Ministers’s principal representative in EU-Morocco STI cooperation activities undertaken by the Sub-Committee of Research and Innovation (SCRI).

Mr. Fawwaz Z. Elkarmi, Assistant Secretary General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, Jordan

Fawaz Elkarmi worked in government, para-government, and private sectors for 35 years in Jordan and 7 years abroad (Kuwait and U.S.A). His experience spans several positions including: holding the post of dean of engineering at Amman University, director of energy at HCST, planning manager at the electricity company, owner of a consulting firm, general manager of an industrial company, a freelance consultant and trainer, and a university professor. He holds a Doctor of Engineering degree from Texas A&M University obtained in 1981, and M.Sc. from the same university in 1978. He obtained his B.Sc. from Bosphorus University (Robert College) in Istanbul, Turkey in 1973. He holds “independence medal of first order”, and is a member of several

local, regional and international professional associations and a member in many editorial boards of international journals. Elkarmi published a book related to power system planning, two book chapters and several journal articles in reputed scientific journals in addition to several technical reports as a local consultant. He currently teaches one course on part time basis at Princess Sumayia University for Technology. Elkarmi is a member of several professional local and international committees and organizations.

Ms Hayat Sindi, Member, Scientific Advisory Board of the UN Secretary General Hayat Sindi is a leading biotechnologist and a champion of science and technology in the Middle East. She earned a degree in pharmacology from King’s College London. Sindi is the first woman from the Gulf to obtain a PhD in biotechnology from Cambridge. She co-founded a non-profit organization with a team at Harvard called Diagnostics for All which creates innovative, inexpensive, point-of-care diagnostic devices for people in impoverished regions. She has invented a machine combining the effects of light and ultra-sound for use in biotechnology. Sindi participated in numerous events aimed at raising the awareness of science amongst women, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World. In 2011 she launched i2, the Institute for imagination and Ingenuity, to encourage innovation among young people specifically male and female scientists, technologists and engineers. Through fellowships, trainings and mentorships. Sindi was one of the first women

to be appointed to the Saudi Arabia’s highest consultative body, the Shura Council, and is one of 26 global experts selected by United Nations member of the newly constituted UN Scientific Advisory Board. Sindi is also a Goodwill Ambassador for Sciences at UNESCO. In 2012, she was named one of Newsweek's "150 Women Who Shake the World", and was named by Forbes number 2 the most powerful Arab women in kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sindi received Clinton Global Citizen Awards "leadership in Civil Society" for her work to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in the Middle East. Sindi was invited by UN Environment programme to be be an Honorary Advisor for the 2015 Eye on Earth Summit, and was selected among the think tank of 50 scholars by Robert boch academy in Berlin. Sindi was selected

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for 2014 and 2015 by educational institution snkag in cooperation with national geographic to write and portray her life story and present five courses for all the world to stimulate children to science.

Mr Moneef Zoubi, Director General, Islamic World Academies of Science (IAS)

Moneef R. Zou’bi has been a researcher in Science and Technology Studies, and Water Policy for over 25 years. Born in Amman, Jordan, he studied for his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Civil Engineering Technology and Management at Brighton and Loughborough Universities in the UK, 1980 - 1987. He did further post-graduate work at the Department of Science and Technology Studies at the University of Malaya. In 1990, he joined the Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) (an international scientific NGO based in Jordan), embarking on a career in international scientific and technological collaboration involving more than 50 countries. In 1998, he was appointed as Director General of the IAS by the IAS Council. Since, he has devoted his energies to science advocacy engaged in bridging scientific and technological, development and

political divides between countries, cultures and civilizations.

Mr Phillip Starling, Director of Science Engagement, CRDF Global

Phill Starling, Director of CRDF Global’s Science Engagement division, has twelve years of experience implementing science engagement programs. He oversees a staff of 25, who implement programs for awareness raising (especially for chemical, biological and nuclear safety and security), establishing linkages between the scientific community and other professional communities (legislature, law enforcement, industry). He serves as the client relationship manager for the U.S. State Department’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction, supervising CRDF Global’s program development and support activities. Mr. Starling has an M.A. in International Affairs from John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a B.A. with distinction in History/Modern Languages (German) from Virginia Military Institute. He is fluent in German and Estonian, and

is proficient in Russian.

Ms Nadia El-Awady, Science Journalist, Egypt

Nadia El-Awady is a freelance science journalist and copyeditor who is currently writing mainly for Nature Middle East (and other Nature Publishing Group affiliates) and ResearchSEA (Research South-East Asia). She has an MBBCh in medicine and surgery from Cairo University and an MA in journalism and mass communication from the American University in Cairo. She co-founded and was president of the Arab Science Journalists Association and she was also the president of the World Federation of Science Journalists. She co-directed the World Conference of

Science Journalists 2011 in Doha, Qatar. Her career has included various roles including editing the science section of an online website, teaching science and online journalism to undergraduate students, organizing training programs for science journalists in Africa and the Arab world, and directing communications at a large science institution in Egypt. More importantly, Nadia is the mother of four children. And in her

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"spare" time she dives, hikes, cycles, runs, and has recently started doing triathlons. She also writes about women's issues, Egypt, and her sports- and travel-related activities on her blog and through social media.

Ms Audra Wolfe, Science Writer, USA

Audra J. Wolfe is a writer, editor, and historian based in Philadelphia. Her research centers on the role of science in the Cold War, whether in the form of weapons or cultural diplomacy. Her first book, competing with the Soviets: Science, Technology, and the State in Cold War America, was published in 2012, and her articles have appeared in both scholarly and more popular venues, including Slate.com, The Guardian, and the Atlantic.com. She is currently writing a book on the history of science in American diplomacy.

Mr Victor Khachan, Applied Linguist, Lebanese American University (LAU), Lebanon

Victor Khachan is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of English. Khachan has extensive teaching experience in Academic English and Public Speaking. He has conducted adult illiteracy projects in Egypt and Morocco and has been a lead Academic English consultant in Muscat, Oman and a regional media trainer. Khachan’s research interests are in the areas of adult illiteracy, linguistic identity, diglossia, courtroom language, academic argumentation and persuasion, and corpus linguistics. Dr. Khachan is Core Trainer in the Young Arab Voices, a regional debate project, initiated by the British Council and the Anna Lindh Foundation.