Student Profiles

Soup kitchen operating after Turkey earthquakes

On the Ground Following the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Q&A with Deren Ertas

March 28, 2023

Deren Ertas is a PhD candidate in history and middle eastern studies at Harvard. She was in Istanbul doing research when, beginning on February 6, 2023, a series of powerful earthquakes struck areas of southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. Following is a conversation with Ertas about her experiences in the aftermath of  these devastating events.... Read more about On the Ground Following the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Q&A with Deren Ertas

Mouhanad Al Rifay

Q&A With Mouhanad Al Rifay

April 26, 2021

CMES AM candidate Mouhanad Al Rifay is a Syrian-American award-winning documentary filmmaker, humanitarian, and human rights activist. At CMES he is focused on journalism and nonfiction narrative writing and developing further expertise in Middle East–focused critical political and cultural commentary. After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2014 with a BA in Psychology, International Development, and Conflict Management, Al Rifay managed various USAID-funded programs at leading international development organizations in Washington, DC. He also co-founded...

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