EDUCATION
PhD Candidate in Planning, Governance and Globalization
- School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech 2015-present
- Dissertation Title: Exploring the Connection Between Community Cultural Development and Sustainable Tourism.
- Current GPA: 3.88
M.S. in Urban Management
- University of Tehran, 2012 – 2014
- Thesis Title: Proposing a New Model for Destination Evaluation in Urban Tourism Management, Case Study: Masouleh Historic City, Iran.
- Overall GPA: 17.59/20. Major GPA: 18.0/20
B.S. in Urban Development Engineering
- Art University of Tehran, 2007 – 2011
- Thesis Title: Evaluating Cultural Status of “Enghelab” Street in Tehran Metropolitan.
- Overall GPA: 17.22/20. Major GPA: 16.92/20
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Culture, agency and Community Development
- Economic Development in Small Towns/Rural Areas (see research page for more information)
- Women Empowerment in Developing Countries
- Globalization and Urban Identity
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development, Virginia, USA (May 2018-Present)
Graduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance, Virginia , USA (2015-May 2018)
Graduate research Assistant
Tarh-e- Rah-e-Abrisham Consultant group, Tehran, Iran (2014-July 2015)
- Researcher Analyzing socio-cultural impacts of proposed urban projects
Arash Kamangir Tour Operators (2013-2014)
- Technical Manager Planning tailor-made travels for groups, Issuing visa
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
- International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
- American Planning Association (APA)
- American Association of Geographers (AAG)
- Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) Nu Lambda Mu Honors Society
- Appalachian Studies Association (ASA)
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
- 7th International Conference on Environmental Future: Paper Presentation “Community-based Art Making and Environmental Conservation in Hormoz Island, Iran ” , April 2018
- 42th Annual Appalachian Studies Association: paper Presentation “Exploring the Connection Between Community Cultural Development and Sustainable Tourism in Appalachia”, April 2018
- American Association of Geographers: Paper Presentation “Local Non-Governmental Organizations’ Role in Glocalization Process in Developing Countries”, April 2017
- Practices of Public Engagement: Study and practice of human relations and intergroup dialogue facilitation skills, specifically for use in diverse, intercultural contexts, October 2015
- Documentation of Oudlajan Area in Tehran: Analysis for Development of Proposals for Recovery and Requalification of the Urban Landscape, September 2012
- Tehran Persian Identity: Challenges and Strategies. December 2012
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Persian: Mother tongue
- English: Fluent in speaking and writing
- French: Fluent in speaking and writing
You can download the pdf version of my CV here.