Meet the team
The EMEIR team supervises all the activities of the institute and is directly involved in the research activities. Formed by young and dynamic experts from all over the world, our team is rapidly expanding.
The EMEIR team supervises all the activities of the institute and is directly involved in the research activities. Formed by young and dynamic experts from all over the world, our team is rapidly expanding.
Dr. Mohamad Hussein Mansour is the Executive Director of EMEIR. He also serves as a Consultant at the World Bank since 2018, Lecturer in Political Economy at the American University of Beirut and in Economics at the Lebanese American University. He is also a Senior Researcher at the Union of Arab Banks. Dr. Mansour recently launched the European Middle East Institute for Research (EMEIR) in Milan, Italy.
Dr. Mansour holds a PhD degree in Public Policy from Bocconi University, a Master's degree in Political Economy from the University of Manchester, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from AUB. In addition, Dr. Mansour was a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University in New York City in 2017 and 2018.
Further to his current professional work experience, Dr. Mansour has initiated several developmental and humanitarian campaigns in response to the economic crisis in Lebanon. His latest foundation, following the Beirut port explosion, was the Action for Inclusive Development in Lebanon (AID Lebanon) in which his team provides support to thousands of underprivileged families.
Dr. Mohamad Hussein Mansour is the Executive Director of EMEIR. He also serves as a Consultant at the World Bank since 2018, Lecturer in Political Economy at the American University of Beirut and in Economics at the Lebanese American University. He is also a Senior Researcher at the Union of Arab Banks. Dr. Mansour recently launched the European Middle East Institute for Research (EMEIR) in Milan, Italy.
Dr. Mansour holds a PhD degree in Public Policy from Bocconi University, a Master's degree in Political Economy from the University of Manchester, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from AUB. In addition, Dr. Mansour was a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University in New York City in 2017 and 2018.
Further to his current professional work experience, Dr. Mansour has initiated several developmental and humanitarian campaigns in response to the economic crisis in Lebanon. His latest foundation, following the Beirut port explosion, was the Action for Inclusive Development in Lebanon (AID Lebanon) in which his team provides support to thousands of underprivileged families.
Joe Akiki is an Economist currently pursuing his studies in Economics and Social Sciences at Bocconi University. Joe has a long list of published articles in the fields of Economics, Political Science, and Social Activism. Joe is also certified by the World Bank Group and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the areas of "Unlocking Investment and Finance in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies" and "Just Money: Banking as if Society Mattered" respectively.
As for experience, Joe has been a devout economic researcher for the Cameroon Association of Active Youth's mission of implementing sustainable economic projects in regions most affected by conflict.
Joe Akiki is an Economist currently pursuing his studies in Economics and Social Sciences at Bocconi University. Joe has a long list of published articles in the fields of Economics, Political Science, and Social Activism. Joe is also certified by the World Bank Group and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the areas of "Unlocking Investment and Finance in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies" and "Just Money: Banking as if Society Mattered" respectively.
As for experience, Joe has been a devout economic researcher for the Cameroon Association of Active Youth's mission of implementing sustainable economic projects in regions most affected by conflict.
Dr. Rana Abo Amra served as Political Affairs Officer in governmental regional organizations in the Arab world for more than 10 years, Dr. Abo Amra holds a Ph.D. degree in comparative political systems from Faculty of Economics and Political Science in Cairo University, the University from which she had her Bachelor Degree in 2004.
She published her Arabic book on failed states in 2013, also published many studies and articles in reputable academic periodicals published by Arab research centers in the field of political science since 2008.
Dr. Abo Amra participated as an international observer in many International Electoral Observation Missions to presidential and general Elections in different regions; Africa, South America and Arab countries, and contributed in writing the final reports of these missions.
In the field of training, she is a fully accredited trainer in UN Program on Building Resources in Democracy Governance and Elections “Bridge” since 2014, and conducted five training courses and TOTs with this international program.
In addition to this, she has professional experiences in facilitating high level participatory sessions, also she facilitated and convened different sessions in different regional conferences such like the annual Arab week of Sustainable Development for 3 years.
Dr. Abo Amra is a member of the executive board of the Research Committee (RC13) in the International Political Science Association (IPSA).
Dr. Rana Abo Amra served as Political Affairs Officer in governmental regional organizations in the Arab world for more than 10 years, Dr. Abo Amra holds a Ph.D. degree in comparative political systems from Faculty of Economics and Political Science in Cairo University, the University from which she had her Bachelor Degree in 2004.
She published her Arabic book on failed states in 2013, also published many studies and articles in reputable academic periodicals published by Arab research centers in the field of political science since 2008.
Dr. Abo Amra participated as an international observer in many International Electoral Observation Missions to presidential and general Elections in different regions; Africa, South America and Arab countries, and contributed in writing the final reports of these missions.
In the field of training, she is a fully accredited trainer in UN Program on Building Resources in Democracy Governance and Elections “Bridge” since 2014, and conducted five training courses and TOTs with this international program.
In addition to this, she has professional experiences in facilitating high level participatory sessions, also she facilitated and convened different sessions in different regional conferences such like the annual Arab week of Sustainable Development for 3 years.
Dr. Abo Amra is a member of the executive board of the Research Committee (RC13) in the International Political Science Association (IPSA).
Dr. Sahar Mallak is a Ph.D graduate in Public Policy and Administration from Bocconi University in Milan after having previously earned her Masters Degree in Public Management from SDA Bocconi.
Dr. Mallak has worked in a variety of different but interrelated fields. Her dissertation study on the impact of the patriarchal culture on female labor force participation in the Middle East and North Africa has propelled her into a wide variety of interrelated fields including Gender Economics, Social Identity, Culture, and Behavioral Economics.
Dr. Sahar Mallak is a Ph.D graduate in Public Policy and Administration from Bocconi University in Milan after having previously earned her Masters Degree in Public Management from SDA Bocconi.
Dr. Mallak has worked in a variety of different but interrelated fields. Her dissertation study on the impact of the patriarchal culture on female labor force participation in the Middle East and North Africa has propelled her into a wide variety of interrelated fields including Gender Economics, Social Identity, Culture, and Behavioral Economics.
Carlotta Varriale is a Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy and Administration for Bocconi and a freelance economic consultant. She also currently joined the Institute of Structural Economics IBS in Warsaw as a research intern.
Before that, she worked as a research assistant for the Dutch Health Authority (Utrecht) and for Lear (Rome), an economic consultancy firm that specializes in competition, regulation, and public policy. At Lear, she collaborated on several projects for the World Bank division targeting public policies in MENA countries, including a general market assessment of the competitiveness of the Kuwaiti economy and a specific sectoral evaluation of seaports in Kuwait and Arab Gulf countries.
Carlotta is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish and has an intermediate level of French. Her willingness to travel and fluency with languages also enabled her to gain experience in fieldwork data collection and research for a project of health and development economics of the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica.
Carlotta Varriale is a Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy and Administration for Bocconi and a freelance economic consultant. She also currently joined the Institute of Structural Economics IBS in Warsaw as a research intern.
Before that, she worked as a research assistant for the Dutch Health Authority (Utrecht) and for Lear (Rome), an economic consultancy firm that specializes in competition, regulation, and public policy. At Lear, she collaborated on several projects for the World Bank division targeting public policies in MENA countries, including a general market assessment of the competitiveness of the Kuwaiti economy and a specific sectoral evaluation of seaports in Kuwait and Arab Gulf countries.
Carlotta is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish and has an intermediate level of French. Her willingness to travel and fluency with languages also enabled her to gain experience in fieldwork data collection and research for a project of health and development economics of the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica.
Zeineb Ben Yahmed is a Harvard Kennedy School's candidate, where she focuses on human development policies, particularly with a concern for youth and countries in democratic transitions.
Before joining the HKS, Zeineb was working at the World Bank, supporting early childhood development operations in Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria.
Prior to joining the Word Bank, Zeineb was a researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where her research was focused on examining the political and economic status of Tunisia’s transition. Additionally, she consulted for UNICEF on youth policies. She holds a Master’s Degree in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Politics from SOAS, University of London.
Zeineb Ben Yahmed is a Harvard Kennedy School's candidate, where she focuses on human development policies, particularly with a concern for youth and countries in democratic transitions.
Before joining the HKS, Zeineb was working at the World Bank, supporting early childhood development operations in Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria.
Prior to joining the Word Bank, Zeineb was a researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where her research was focused on examining the political and economic status of Tunisia’s transition. Additionally, she consulted for UNICEF on youth policies. She holds a Master’s Degree in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Politics from SOAS, University of London.
Mrs. SIDANI, is a Gender Expert. She has a 13 years of experience in the public sector. She participated in several workshops, trainings, and decision making processes concerning “woman empowerment” especially in the field of economic empowerment. She is also a Trade special with experience in the field of Trade Remedies and International Trade. She also participated in several trade agreements negotiations as a member in the Lebanese negotiation team.
Mrs. SIDANI holds a PhD in management with specialization on women entrepreneurship and stakeholders’ management. She is also a consultant for several NGOs conducting studies and advisory in the field of her expertise.
Mrs. SIDANI, is a Gender Expert. She has a 13 years of experience in the public sector. She participated in several workshops, trainings, and decision making processes concerning “woman empowerment” especially in the field of economic empowerment. She is also a Trade special with experience in the field of Trade Remedies and International Trade. She also participated in several trade agreements negotiations as a member in the Lebanese negotiation team.
Mrs. SIDANI holds a PhD in management with specialization on women entrepreneurship and stakeholders’ management. She is also a consultant for several NGOs conducting studies and advisory in the field of her expertise.
Giovanni Rizzi is an economist currently pursuing his PhD at Toulouse School of Economics. He is specialised in Industrial Organisation, the economics of digital platforms, and blockchain & cryptocurrencies. Prior to his PhD, he was Economic Analyst for blockchain consulting firm Prysm Group hwere he specialised in protocol analysis and incentives.
Previously he freelanced as a Data Analyst, worked in the Financial Crime Investigations unit of fintech bank N26 and he was EMEA Analyst in investigations company Kroll. He conducted study trips to Iran and Turkey, as well as performing the functions of commercial attaché at the Italian Embassy in Kampala Uganda.
Giovanni Rizzi holds a Master M2 degree in Economic Theory and Econometrics (ETE) at Toulouse School of Economics, a MSc in Economics & Social Sciences (ESS/DES) at Bocconi University (Milan) and a Bachelor's degree in Economics (CLES) from Bocconi Universisty. He has held research seminars at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and has been the recipient of the Unicredit Master's Scholarships and the Accademia Olimpica's "Triennale" Prize for his academic achievements.
Giovanni Rizzi is an economist currently pursuing his PhD at Toulouse School of Economics. He is specialised in Industrial Organisation, the economics of digital platforms, and blockchain & cryptocurrencies. Prior to his PhD, he was Economic Analyst for blockchain consulting firm Prysm Group hwere he specialised in protocol analysis and incentives.
Previously he freelanced as a Data Analyst, worked in the Financial Crime Investigations unit of fintech bank N26 and he was EMEA Analyst in investigations company Kroll. He conducted study trips to Iran and Turkey, as well as performing the functions of commercial attaché at the Italian Embassy in Kampala Uganda.
Giovanni Rizzi holds a Master M2 degree in Economic Theory and Econometrics (ETE) at Toulouse School of Economics, a MSc in Economics & Social Sciences (ESS/DES) at Bocconi University (Milan) and a Bachelor's degree in Economics (CLES) from Bocconi Universisty. He has held research seminars at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and has been the recipient of the Unicredit Master's Scholarships and the Accademia Olimpica's "Triennale" Prize for his academic achievements.
Pinar is a PhD Candidate at the Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Peace and Coexistence at Hiroshima University, Japan. Pinar's main field of interest is Activism and Advocacy for Deliberating Energy Policies.
Pinar had previously served as Visiting Research Scholar at Seoul University, South Korea and is currently the Education and Research Support Assistant at Hiroshima University, Japan. Her academic and work experience extends to different regions and covers a variety of scopes.
Pinar holds a Master's degree from University of Montpellier in France and a Bachelor's degree from Ege University in Turkey. She had participated in a number of exchange programs in New Zealand, Turkey, and Germany. Pinar has published in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of International Relations and Conflicts including her paper on "Framing Opposition to Nuclear Power: The Case of Akkuyu in Southeast Turkey.
Pinar is a PhD Candidate at the Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Peace and Coexistence at Hiroshima University, Japan. Pinar's main field of interest is Activism and Advocacy for Deliberating Energy Policies.
Pinar had previously served as Visiting Research Scholar at Seoul University, South Korea and is currently the Education and Research Support Assistant at Hiroshima University, Japan. Her academic and work experience extends to different regions and covers a variety of scopes.
Pinar holds a Master's degree from University of Montpellier in France and a Bachelor's degree from Ege University in Turkey. She had participated in a number of exchange programs in New Zealand, Turkey, and Germany. Pinar has published in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of International Relations and Conflicts including her paper on "Framing Opposition to Nuclear Power: The Case of Akkuyu in Southeast Turkey.
Giulia has 8 years of experience in financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment and sustainable development in the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle East, acquired by working for various United Nations agencies, international organizations, governments and management consulting firms, such as the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the Asian Development Bank and the Boston Consulting Group.
In her career, Giulia designed and executed assessments to recognize complex problems such as: the barriers faced by women to access financial services in South East Asia; the status of the electronic payment system in Thailand; and the role of women in disaster resilience programmes in Asia Pacific, to inform the programming of international organizations and multilateral banks.
She co-designed a tool (UNCDF Gender Self-Assessment Tool - GSAT) to understand whether financial service providers in Myanmar recognize women as a profitable market segment and how they are advancing the career of women within their workforce.
In Myanmar, Giulia supported the Government in the implementation of its National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women. Last summer, she advised the State of Massachusetts on how to evaluate its investments in the technology and innovation sector, and supported the Government of Sierra Leone in designing a conditional cash-transfer scheme to improve school retention and completion rates for girls by leveraging innovation and technology during the COVID-19 crisis.
Giulia is a Fulbright Scholarship recipient and is currently a student in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Giulia has 8 years of experience in financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment and sustainable development in the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle East, acquired by working for various United Nations agencies, international organizations, governments and management consulting firms, such as the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the Asian Development Bank and the Boston Consulting Group.
In her career, Giulia designed and executed assessments to recognize complex problems such as: the barriers faced by women to access financial services in South East Asia; the status of the electronic payment system in Thailand; and the role of women in disaster resilience programmes in Asia Pacific, to inform the programming of international organizations and multilateral banks.
She co-designed a tool (UNCDF Gender Self-Assessment Tool - GSAT) to understand whether financial service providers in Myanmar recognize women as a profitable market segment and how they are advancing the career of women within their workforce.
In Myanmar, Giulia supported the Government in the implementation of its National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women. Last summer, she advised the State of Massachusetts on how to evaluate its investments in the technology and innovation sector, and supported the Government of Sierra Leone in designing a conditional cash-transfer scheme to improve school retention and completion rates for girls by leveraging innovation and technology during the COVID-19 crisis.
Giulia is a Fulbright Scholarship recipient and is currently a student in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Suzanna Ayash holds a Master's degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor's degree in Economics (Math minor) from the American University of Beirut.
She received the 2020 Basel Fuleihan Excellence Award and the 2019 Remy Rubeiz Award. She passed the Society of Actuaries Exam. Suzanna wrote economics articles for the Lebanese "Development & Economy Magazine" and did extensive research at the Institute of Financial Economics (IFE) and the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS). She was the key lecturer for the European ENPI-CBC LandCare MED project.
Suzanna Ayash holds a Master's degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor's degree in Economics (Math minor) from the American University of Beirut.
She received the 2020 Basel Fuleihan Excellence Award and the 2019 Remy Rubeiz Award. She passed the Society of Actuaries Exam. Suzanna wrote economics articles for the Lebanese "Development & Economy Magazine" and did extensive research at the Institute of Financial Economics (IFE) and the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS). She was the key lecturer for the European ENPI-CBC LandCare MED project.
Rasha Fattouh is a Program & Research Officer at the Arab NGO Network for Development. She is also an instructor of Economics at the Beirut Arab University.
Rasha holds an MA in Economics from the American University of Beirut, and an MA in International Affairs from the Pennsylvania State University. She received her BA in International Affairs/Political Science and a minor in Economics from the Lebanese American University. Rasha has about 6 years of research experience in several fields varying from Political Economy, Development Economics and Public Economics.
In addition to her professional experience, she is the Vice President & Co-founder of Action for Inclusive Development in Lebanon (AID Lebanon), an NGO that was born after the Beirut Explosion of August 4, aimed at providing sustainable help in the education sector for underprivileged families of Lebanon.
Rasha Fattouh is a Program & Research Officer at the Arab NGO Network for Development. She is also an instructor of Economics at the Beirut Arab University.
Rasha holds an MA in Economics from the American University of Beirut, and an MA in International Affairs from the Pennsylvania State University. She received her BA in International Affairs/Political Science and a minor in Economics from the Lebanese American University. Rasha has about 6 years of research experience in several fields varying from Political Economy, Development Economics and Public Economics.
In addition to her professional experience, she is the Vice President & Co-founder of Action for Inclusive Development in Lebanon (AID Lebanon), an NGO that was born after the Beirut Explosion of August 4, aimed at providing sustainable help in the education sector for underprivileged families of Lebanon.
