Principal Investigator

Mary Bunn, PhD, LCSW is licensed clinical social worker and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, core faculty member and Co-Director of the Global Mental Health Research and Training Program in the UIC Center for Global Health. Her research program focuses on the development and testing of community-based mental health prevention and care interventions for survivors of war and torture across the migration continuum. Her research interests are informed by her more than twenty years of clinical practice experience delivering therapy services and developing mental health programs for war-affected communities in the U.S and in humanitarian and post-conflict settings. At UIC, she also teaches courses on global mental health and cultural psychiatry and offers therapy through her outpatient therapy clinic for refugees and asylum seekers at UI Health. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.

Human Centered Designer

Robert is a human-centered designer and educator. Born and raised in Chicago, Robert started his professional career in Tokyo, Japan as a graphic designer where he developed a profound appreciation for both aesthetics and function. After a decade, he returned to Chicago to complete a master’s degree from Institute of Design/IIT, honing his skills in qualitative research at an innovation consultancy. He teaches at UIC’s School of Design where he leads the Design Studies program, a humanities and liberal arts focused approach to design. Robert’s design practice focuses on social and civic issues, using participatory and co-creation methods that involve humans in the design process. Robert lives with his partner and two dogs in Ukrainian Village.

Program Manager

Zara is a Bangladeshi American, born and raised in the Chicagoland area. As a first-generation American, she is passionate about addressing the unique needs of immigrant individuals and families. Zara completed her MPH in Epidemiology at UIC where she enjoyed working as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant. Her time in graduate school has further developed her interest in social epidemiology, mixed methods research, and advocacy for underserved communities, both locally and globally. In her free time, Zara enjoys listening to podcasts, baking, and spending time in nature.

Outreach Coordinator

Khelud Abdlazziz is originally from Iraq. She was resettled with her husband and two children to America in 2008. In Iraq, Khelud studied at the University of Baghdad where she obtained her degree in mathematics in 1996. After coming to the United States, she worked as an early childhood teacher. Currently, she is working as a paraprofessional in the Adult Transition Program. She believes she has been fortunate to work with the team at the University of Illinois as the Community Outreach Coordinator. This allows her to use her certificate as an interpreter and relationships and skills engaging with the community! She enjoys working with families as a part of this research team!

Graduate Research Assistant

McKenzie is in her third and final year of the joint master’s of public health and master’s of social work program at UIC. Her MSW concentration is in organizational and community practice and her MPH is concentrated in maternal and child health. She grew up in Chicago and is delighted to have returned to the city after receiving her bachelor’s of science degree in biology at Emory University. McKenzie is interested in breaking down systemic barriers to health equity through policy, applied research, and community-level interventions.

Graduate Research Assistant

Nancy Kaul is a first-year medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She has Kashmiri heritage but is originally from Toronto, Canada. She earned her Bachelor of Science from McGill University. Nancy is working with the research team as part of the GMED program. Beyond medicine, she is a certified yoga teacher and a passionate cook, adding balance and flavor to her life.

Doctoral Research Assistant

Andrea Haidar is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is also a licensed clinical social worker and certified yoga teacher. Her research interests include culturally acceptable and accessible care for racial and ethnic minority communities, stress and resilience, mindfulness-based interventions, and immigrant and refugee mental health. Prior to her doctoral studies, Andrea worked as a trilingual psychotherapist at a Federally Qualified Health Center, providing services in Arabic, Spanish, and English. She holds a master's in social work and a bachelor’s in sociology from the University of Chicago. Andrea is also the recipient of national awards, including the Fulbright Scholarship, Truman Scholarship, and Critical Language Scholarship.

Syrian Community Network

Samira has a broad spectrum of experience in education with early childhood, special education, and adult learners. With a bachelor’s in psychological counseling, she has worked with several associations supporting persons with disabilities and special education schools in Syria. Samira and her family arrived in Chicago in 2016 through the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Since arriving, she has worked as a preschool teacher and began volunteering with Chicago Public Schools in 2016. At the Syrian Community Network, Samira works with schools and community partners to support SCN's families and youth academically, socially, and emotionally. She also leads citizenship and ELL classes for adults and facilitates a women's circle once a month. Samira also enjoys teaching Arabic for youth during the summer months.

Syrian Community Network

Maya Atassi is the Director of Operations at the Syrian Community Network. She has been with SCN since its earliest days, in 2015, having occupied several roles within the organization. Maya is a first generation Syrian American, born and raised in the Midwest. She returned to Chicago after attending Smith College in Massachusetts. Maya was inspired to join SCN after feeling helpless witnessing the turmoil in her parents' home country from a distance and wanted a way to give back to her community. As part of her role, Maya oversees daily operations at SCN and is responsible for managing SCN's programmatic offerings. This includes reporting to grantmakers and foundations, providing technical assistance to staff, and ensuring support for both community members and staff alike.

Syrian Community Network

Mariam graduated from St. Olaf College with three degrees: Race and Ethnic Studies, Family Studies, Architecture, along with a minor in Art. Her professional goal is to help refugee youth feel welcome throughout all the new phases of their adjustment to life. Originally from Iraq, she left at six years old. After living in Jordan and Egypt, her family was resettled to Chicago in 2009 through the U.S. Refugee Program. As the Youth Education Manager for the Syrian Community Network, she manages the After School Program, OHR, High School Program, Youth Workshops, Arabic program, and provides direct assistance to families through Education Case management. Mariam provides support to students in elementary, middle, and high school.

Syrian Community Network

Born in Illinois, Nate first encountered refugee work in 2012 in Tunisia and Southern Italy. He graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in Religious and Mediterranean Studies. Since 2016, Nate has led after school programs, enrichment activities, and bridged the gap between schools and refugee families in Chicago. Now at the Syrian Community Network, Nate is directing the Education program, supporting department staff, and continuing to collaborate with schools, community organizations, and families.

ICNA Relief

Dr. Saima Azfar, MD, currently holds the esteemed positions of Midwest Regional Director at ICNA Relief and the Director of ICNA Relief's national Back2school program. She pursued her medical education and later relocated to United States in 1998. Her dedication to the field of medicine, combined with valuable experience gained at various healthcare facilities, has deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by our local community. With a background working with several non-profit organizations that focus on community support and development, she brings a compassionate and enthusiastic spirit to her work. Her journey with ICNA Relief, a nationwide agency, reflects her commitment to the noble mission of fostering resilient communities. This mission entails providing support to families, uplifting neighbors confronted with adversity while preserving their dignity, and tirelessly advocating for their essential requirements.

ICNA Relief

Beena Farid has been a resident of Naperville, Illinois since 2001. She is passionate about social services projects. Currently, she serves as the Outreach Coordinator for ICNA relief where she manages and conducts meetings, coordinates logistical support for various relief efforts, and communicates with masjid management. Over the years, she has served in many different capacities at the organization including serving as a lead member of the girl's club, women’s committee and Dawah committee. She has served as a lead organizer for ICNA Relief fundraising dinners and played an instrumental role in developing the organization’s volunteer training program. Outside ICNA Relief, she is the founder of Ummahatul ICN (Mothers of ICN), a social service for elderly women. In addition, Beena has helped masjids and Muslim institutions including CIOGC, GainPeace, ICNA Relief and SoundVision in their fundraising efforts. She has taught Saturday and Sunday school and served on the board of directors for the Islamic Center of Naperville.

ICNA Relief

Atya Kazmi has been working at ICNA Relief for the last 10 years. She worked as coordinator for Family Services for 8 years and currently works as the area manager of the Chicago office. She moved to Chicago in 2002 from Canada and volunteered with ICNA in the women’s education programs before joining as staff. She is passionate about her work and believes that ICNA Relief’s holistic approach is a great way to provide much needed services while strengthening struggling families and individuals through the variety of programs offered. As the coordinator of family services, she initiated various skill building classes for refugee women like ESL and sewing along with monthly socials for them. She attended Osmania University in India for her undergrad and lives in Naperville with her family and has 3 adult children.