Yaser Farashahinejad is a Research Assistant with the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies. Yaser holds a PhD in Persian literature and language and recently completed his postdoctoral research at Tarbiat Modares University in Iran. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is also a fiction writer, poet, and translator. To date, Yaser has authored four books: Gūrʹhā-yi kāghaz̲ī (Paper Graves), published by Diyār Nāmag in 2022; Farār az furm (Escaping Form), with Tarh-e-no Publications, Tehran, in 2020; Minārahʹhā-yi vārūnah (Inverted Minarets), also published in 2020 by Tarh-e-no; and Nazarīyahʹhā-yi rumān dar Īrān (Theories of the Novel in Iran), which was brought out by Pāyā Publications in 2019. As a translator, Yaser has thus far rendered two books from English to Persian: Hamid Rezaei Yazd’s Persian Literature and Modernity (as Mudarnītah-yi guftugūʼī, published in 2021 by Tarh-e-no), and The Rumi Prescription by Melody Moezzi (also published by Tarh-e-no in 2021, under the title Darmāngarī-yi Mawlānā). He has recently finished translating Ali Mirsepassi’s Transnationalism in Iranian Philosophical Thought, the manuscript of which is currently in press. Yaser has published numerous articles both in Iran and internationally, with a particular focus on contemporary Persian literature and history. His work has appeared in various publications, including Iran Namag, where he has already published two articles. A third piece, titled “Subliminal Dialogue,” is forthcoming in the same journal. Since 2020, Yaser has also worked as an editor and book reviewer at Tarh-e-no, a highly reputable and prestigious publisher in Iran. His research interests revolve around modernity, dialogue, and the philosophy of literature.

Guita Banan is a Research Assistant for the Women Poets project and Cinema Iranica at the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies, University of Toronto. She received her PhD in physics from the University of Florida. Her area of focus in her PhD was, broadly speaking, biophysics of the brain and neuroimaging, which shapes her current interests as she pursues her studies in science and technology studies. She is a graduate student at U of T’s Women and Gender Studies Institute, completing her Master’s with a focus on feminist and decolonial technoscience. In her research, she thinks about the question of agency at the intersection of feminist theory, feminist and decolonial technoscience, neurotechnology, and ethics. Guita received her BSc in physics from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran.

Negar Banisafar is a Work Study Student for the Cinema Iranica project. Negar is currently a PhD student in the Department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature from Allameh Tabataba’i University in Iran and two MAs, one in Dramatic Literature from Soore University in Iran and another in the study of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations from University of Toronto. During her second MA, Negar was a recipient of the Scholars-at-Risk Fellowship from the School of Graduate Studies and Massey College at University of Toronto. In 2022, she received the Norman Itzkowitz Turkish Short Story Award for the best short story written in Modern Turkish.

Mahak Rouhina is a distinguished Graphic Designer and Visual Artist, holding master’s degrees in Art History from the University of Toronto and an MFA in Visual Communication from Tarbiat Modares University in Iran, where she honed her expertise in visual aesthetics and design. Her multifaceted work bridges the realms of Persian carpet design, manuscript studies, and Islamic art history, blending traditional and contemporary elements.

Since 2022, Mahak has served as the lead graphic designer for The Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies, Cinema Iranica, and Women Poets Iranica, where she has created compelling visual imagery and posters for their digital platforms. Her designs are a reflection of her deep understanding of Persian art and her ability to communicate complex cultural narratives through visual mediums.

Recognized in both Iranian and international art competitions, Mahak’s work has garnered acclaim. Alongside her design practice, she has made notable contributions to academic research, with her scholarly articles on Persian art and Islamic visual culture appearing in several prestigious academic journals.

Gunha Kim is a Work Study Student with the Cinema Iranica project. Currently, Gunha is a PhD student in the Department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations, University of Toronto. Previously, he studied at Seoul National University. Gunha’s doctoral project examines the historical development of the discourse of voluntary death—that is, suicide and martyrdom—in 20th century Iran. In particular, his dissertation aims to connect the concurrent development of psychiatric studies on suicide, the necropolitical discourse of martyrdom, and the environmental discourse of pollution as a mass suicide.

Gunha has been involved with multiple academic projects related to Iran. For instance, he has contributed as a digital archivist at the Persian Archive, has conducted research for the Encyclopedia of Iranian Cinema and Iranian Women Poets, and, more recently, served as an editorial intern for Iran Namag: A Quarterly of Iranian Studies.

Amin Azimi is a Work Study Student contributing to the Cinema Iranica project. Currently, Amin is a PhD student at the Center for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto. His research interests encompass various aspects of dramaturgy’s evolution in the 21st century, the politics of aesthetics, and digital storytelling in contemporary Iranian theatre and film. Amin has published academic articles in esteemed international journals, including Asian Theatre Journal, Alternatives Théâtrales, and Theater der Zeit, as well as Iranian journals like Film Negar and Cimia. Over the past decade, Amin has served as a lecturer in theatre and cinema at several renowned universities, including the University of Tehran and the University of Art, also in Tehran. Additionally, he has worked extensively as a critic for specific theatre and film publications and mass media outlets in Iran. Besides his scholarly contributions, Amin has directed several plays and made short films and performances. He holds an MA in Cinema Studies from the University of Art, and a BA in Theatre & Dramatic Literature.

Sina Davari, currently doing his PhD in Construction Management at the University of Toronto, is a Work Study Student for the Digital Humanities & Women Poet Iranica Projects. With his research centered at the nexus of Computer Vision, Deep Learning, and Robotics, Sina is dedicated to spearheading the digital and automated transformation of the construction industry to enhance safety, productivity, and operational efficiency within this sector. Stemming from a lineage of literature professors and poets spanning six generations, Sina possesses a profound passion for Persian Literature, complemented by a deep fascination with Persian classical music and vocal traditions. This heritage fuels his innovative work in the Digital Humanities and Women Poet Iranica Projects, where he investigates the potential of cutting-edge artificial intelligence methodologies in discovering new perspectives and deeper comprehension of the oeuvres of Persian women poets.

Milad Soltanzadeh is a Work-study student in the Cinema Iranica project. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in computational neuroscience at the University of Toronto's Institute of Medical Science. His research includes developing large-scale models of brain activity and connectivity to understand the underlying mechanisms of schizophrenia and depression. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Tehran in Iran and Concordia University in Canada. Milad is mainly interested in understanding human cognition and its link to the brain. Outside academia, he is interested in philosophy and writing.

Mohammad Hashemi is a Work Study Student in the Digital Humanities and Cinema Iranica projects. Mohammad is a Ph.D. Student, Mechanical Engineering. Mohammad received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Iran’s Sharif University of Technology in 2013. During his pursuit of a M.Sc. degree, his educational background led him to collaborate with Dr. Felicelli and Dr. Eshraghi on numerical modeling related to dendritic solidification at the University of Akron, USA, from 2014 to 2016.  In the autumn of 2021, Mohammad became part of CACT, assuming the roles of research assistant and Ph.D. candidate supervised by Dr. Dolatabadi. His overarching objective is to devise a Lagrangian-Eulerian model for investigating atomization mechanisms in thermal spray. His primary research enthusiasm centers around formulating innovative computational models for simulating interfacial phenomena, combustion, and dendritic solidification.

Alireza Dianat contributes as a Work Study Student with the Women Poets Iranica project. For this project, Alireza is using his research skills and expertise to collect information from here and there about the less known women poets who wrote in Farsi. Currently, Alireza is a PhD student in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. His research interest focuses on travel demand modelling and he is currently working on a project which investigates the relationships between choice of workplace and telecommuting decisions for his dissertation under the supervision of Professor Khandker Nurul Habib.

Nariman Gooranorimi contributes as a Work Study student with the Tavakoli Archives. Nariman is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, majoring in Human Biology with a double minor in Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations and French Language. Throughout his studies, Nariman has worked as a Research Assistant at the Tavakoli Archives in order to expand on and improve his research skills. Outside of academics, he is a peer mentor at the University of Toronto’s Medical Sciences Student Union, has created and sold numerous profitable businesses, and enjoys volunteering in hospitals during his free time.

Elham Avard is a Work Study Student with the Cinema Iranica project. Elham is currently a PhD student in the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto. Her academic focus examines the use of artificial intelligence for medical image analysis. She received her BA in Physics and MSc in Medical Physics from Shahid Beheshti University, in Tehran, Iran. In her free time, Elham is interested in Iranian cinema and poetry, which encouraged her to collaborate with the Cinema Iranica project as a work-study student.

Emma McDonald is a Work Study Student with the Cinema Iranica project, supporting the growth of the Institute’s digital database of written materials and performing general website maintenance. She is a senior undergraduate student, majoring in anthropology and minoring in digital humanities and cinema. Emma is interested in how cinema is both a functional and reflective expression of social/cultural identities, on both personal and national levels. Emma is interested in exploring how the representation of genre, in particular humor and comedy, is a key component in the unique character of national cinema. In addition to her academic work, Emma is an accomplished mixed media sculpture artist whose work has been featured as part of numerous collaborative projects with local Toronto artists and arts community spaces.

Sara Molaie is a Work Study Student who contributes to the Women Poet project. She is a first-year PhD student at the Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations department. She received her MA from the University of Washington and wrote her thesis on the revival of the Hebrew and Persian languages in the 19th century. Her current research focuses on the notion of revival in the poems of 19th and 20th-century Iranian women poets. Speak more on what you do at the institute.

Farshad Tajddinisarvestani is a Work Study Student for the Digital Humanities Project. Farshad is currently a PhD student at the University of Toronto, specializing in the fields of mechanical and industrial engineering. His research revolves around the fascinating realm of data-driven modeling, In-Silico experiments, and In-Vivo visualization of cardiovascular flows using cutting-edge techniques such as medical imaging, patient-specific and physics-based simulations, reduced order modelling, and machine learning. In his work on the Digital Humanities Project, Farshad utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) techniques to unlock valuable insights and facilitate novel approaches to understanding various aspects of the works of Persian poets.

Tara Yazdanimotlagh contributes as a Work Study Student with the Cinema Iranica project. Currently, Tara is a Mechanical Engineering PhD student at the University of Toronto, delving into research that examines the physical-based modelling of solution droplets in solution precursor plasma spray. In addition to her academic pursuits in engineering, Tara has a passion for Iranian cinema, in particular, learning about Iran’s cinema history and developing her knowledge of the field.

Robert McConney is a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. He holds BA (Hons) in History from the University of Southampton (2016), an MA in Iranian Studies from the University of Tehran (2019), and an MA in Religion from the University of Toronto (2023). Robert has lived on and off for 20 years in various countries of the Middle East, including the UAE, Iran, and Turkey. He has a working proficiency in Persian. His previous research focused on Gilan and the Jangali movement, it has since shifted to the Caribbean practice of Muharram known as Hosay. His current research seeks to connect his experience in the Middle East with his personal background as a British-West Indian of Bajan heritage. He contributes to the Cinema Iranica Project.

Saeid Amirzadeh is a Work Study Student in the Digital Humanities and Cinema Iranica projects. Saeid is also a PhD student in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Toronto. His doctoral research centers on creating a Digital-Twin to optimize the continuous casting process in steel industries. Saeid initiated his academic journey at Isfahan University of Technology, delving into Digitized Heat Transfer for electronics cooling, and later earned his master’s degree from the same institution, focusing on Angiogenesis in the retina caused by diabetic rethinopathies, through numerical simulation. His diverse background includes expertise in computational science, data science, and High Performance Computing, allowing him to tackle interdisciplinary challenges with ingenuity and precision.

Natasha Shokri is a Work Study Student contributing to the Archival project at the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies. Currently, Natasha is working on her doctoral degree in Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. She earned an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace. In her MA thesis, she scrutinized water as a catalyst for peacemaking in the Middle East. Natasha’s research interests include black feminism; critical media education; the science of happiness and education; peace education; the pedagogy of hope; and refugee education. Natasha has been nominated for and received various awards and distinctions, including recognition as a UNESCO Youth Peace Ambassador for her peace building and human rights activities.

Parastu Ahang Mehdawi volunteers with the Tavakoli Archive and the Women Poets Iranica project at the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies. Parastu has been a prose poetry writer from a very young age. She published her first book, a memoir, A Quest for Identity from Afghanistan to the World, in June 2022. Currently she is pursuing her education at the University of Toronto Faculty of Arts and Science in English literature and creative writing. In May 2023, she joined the Institute’s projects at the Department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto. She proudly works under Dr. Mohamad Tavakoli’s recommendation and has helped with the Archive, Women Poets Iranica, and Cinema Iranica projects.

Sahar Javadi is a Work Study Student with the Cinema Iranica project. Sahar is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto studying ethics, society, and law and criminology and socio-legal studies. She is an aspiring lawyer and hopes to continue her research in the field of criminology. She looks forward to nurturing her research skills on the complex intersection of imprisonment and the criteria of deterrence, recidivism, and rehabilitation. Sahar is also interested in prison violence and more particularly, gendered violence against women and children in prisons. In addition to academic pursuits, Sahar is a freelance translator who is currently translating a legal dictionary. Sahar has made it her personal mission to translate as many academic sources in her field as possible and make them accessible to students in her home country of Iran. She finds peace grappling with words and their meanings and hopes to leave a practical legacy for her country in this way.

Yasamin Jameh, a Work Study Student with the Cinema Iranica project, is currently a senior undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, majoring in International Relations & Peace, Conflict, and Justice (PCJ) and minoring in Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations. Since the autumn of 2022, Yasamin has been the host, producer, and editor of the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies’ official podcast: Parse: An Exploration of Critical Topics in Iranian Studies. With the generous support of the Institute, Yasamin created Parse in order expand the reach of the Institute’s considerable academic outputs among the public. (Parse is currently available on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other streaming platforms). Previously, Yasamin worked for the Multi-Faith Center at the University of Toronto where she founded and co-hosted Subaltern Speaks, a podcast sponsored by Student Life dedicated to exploring the legacies of colonialism on the religion and spiritualties of colonized peoples. As someone of partial Iranian descent, Yasamin has a natural love and admiration for Iranian history and culture, particularly as it relates to the Safavid era and onwards. More broadly, Yasamin’s interests and perspectives are also informed by her Latin American and Dutch Caribbean heritage which have contributed to her fascination with the history of the Americas, Atlantic history, and Early Modern European history.

Faraz Chogan is a Work Study Student who contributes to the Cinema Iranica project and Institute websites. Alongside his academic pursuits, he is also dedicated to curating and updating the website’s collection of books and films from both pre and post-revolutionary eras. With a strong academic background, Faraz holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a master’s degree earned from the University of Tehran. Notably, he has made significant contributions to the field of burn-wound healing, with several published papers in this area. Currently pursuing a PhD at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Faraz continues to excel in his research, specializing in harnessing the potential of stem cells and 3D bioprinting technology to develop cutting-edge skin substitutes. With his unwavering dedication to medical research and innovative solutions, Faraz aims to make a meaningful impact on regenerative medicine and offer hope to burn victims worldwide.

Viana Sadeghi is a Work Study Student contributing to the Women Poets Iranica project. Viana is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree and majoring in Philosophy of Science and Environmental Studies. Alongside her academic pursuits, Viana actively contributes to the Iranian Women Poets Iranica project, utilizing her skills and knowledge to shed light on the rich literary heritage of Iranian women. Furthermore, Viana is committed to human rights and social justice causes, and is a member of Amnesty International. Her academic interests encompass a wide range of topics, including the intersection of history and philosophy, issues surrounding poverty and underrepresented groups, and the dynamics of care and violence within kinships, among others. Her enthusiasm for these subjects is evident in her course selection, as she seeks to delve deeper into these themes and gain a comprehensive understanding of their complexities.

Sogand Karami is a Work Study Student contributing to the Tavakoli Archives team as an Archive Assistant for the Archive project and as a researcher for the Cinema Project. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the Centre of Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto. Sogand obtained her bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Literature from Azad University of Tehran, where she not only excelled academically but also actively participated in a wide range of creative pursuits. Throughout her studies, Sogand nurtured her skills in writing short stories, directing, and acting in numerous student projects.Sogand’s research interests are concerned with the intersection of social issues and dramatic art, exploring the social and political dimensions of the body in performance and dramatic texts. Through her research, Sogand aims to shed light on the transformative power of theatre and its potential to inspire meaningful societal change

Eszter Melitta Szabo dedicates her efforts as a Work Study Student and Research Assistant for the Women Poets Iranica project at the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies. Currently, Eszter is a Master’s student in Near & Middle Eastern Civilisations at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Professor Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi. With extensive training in philology, she holds a BA in Indian Studies with a minor in Iranian Studies, specializing in the exploration of classical and modern languages and literature from both regions. Her academic pursuits revolve around the broader fields of 20th century women’s literature, gender studies, and anthropology, where she passionately explores their intricate intersections within the cultural tapestries of Iran and India.

Zahra Kazemi, a Work-Study student, is involved in the Cinema Iranica project. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS), having completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran, Iran. In addition to her engineering background, Zahra has a passion for Iranian history, art, poetry, and cinema. This passion led her to become a work study researcher in Professor Virani’s “Dream Team” at the University of Toronto, where she contributed to illuminating the profound beauty and significance of Persian poetry. As part of her work study in Professor Virani’s team, Zahra’s role involved translating Persian poems from various poets like Attar Neyshabouri, Nizari, etc., into English. Currently, Zahra has embarked on a new journey as a member of Professor Tavakoli’s Cinema Iranica team. Her objective is to provide a fresh and unique perspective to the exploration of Iranian cinema, emphasizing its cultural and artistic significance. She actively participates in gathering information about different Iranian movies, writers, or directors from available literature, and creating an archive dedicated to them.

Fahimeh Fazel contributes to the Cinema Iranica project as a Work Study Student. Fahimeh is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Toronto under the guidance of Professor Jorg Liebeherr on distributed machine learning in communication networks and is a Student Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Fahimeh previously earned a BSc in electrical engineering from the Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran, Iran in 2016 and received an MSc in communication systems engineering from the University of Tehran in 2019. Her research interests span several areas, including wireless communication, cache-enabled UAV networks, visible light communication, and coding theory and their applications in visible light communications.

Rahimah Baluch is a Work Study Student contributing to the Women Poets Iranica project. Rahimah is also an undergraduate student studying human biology at the University of Toronto. In her role as a research assistant for the Women Poets Iranica project, she is currently supporting the research and related work on a special journal issue and gaining new insights into Iranian poetry. Her interests outside of her position and academic pursuits include literature, illustration, and writing.

Parvin Malekzadeh is a Work Study Student with the Cinema Iranica project. As part of her responsibilities, she conducts research to collect information, articles, and website resources related to Iranian movies. Currently, Parvin is a PhD student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Toronto. She received her BSc in Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Iran in 2018, and her MSc in Electrical Engineering from Concordia University, Montreal in 2020. Parvin’s research interests lie in the areas of signal processing, machine learning, reinforcement learning, and the Internet of Things.