I have always been fascinated by the human brain and its ability to process and produce language. This curiosity, combined with my desire to make an impact in the world, led me to the field of speech, language, and hearing sciences. It felt like the most natural path for me.

I started my journey at the Lebanese University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Therapy. After that, I worked as a clinician, particularly with individuals with acquired language disorders due to traumatic brain injuries, strokes, or dementia. During my practice, I encountered challenges that had no clear answers: why certain individuals responded better to therapy than others, or why some linguistic abilities were preserved while others were impaired. These questions ignited my desire to pursue research.

With that, I set my sights on a graduate degree in the United States, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a Master of Science degree at East Carolina University. There, I deepened my understanding of language processing and gained research experience that solidified my passion for investigating the mechanisms that underlie acquired language impairments.

Currently, I am a PhD candidate in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona. My research explores the different factors that shape how people with aphasia retrieve words: both the properties of the words themselves and the characteristics of the individuals producing them. My research goal is to contribute to better assessment and treatment strategies that support communication in individuals with aphasia.