Meet the Fellows 2024

Nassim AIT IDIR (Algeria)

Political Affairs and Arms Control Expert, Laboratory of Political & International Studies, University of Boumerdes

Nassim Ait Idir holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics and has earned two Master's degrees – one in Foreign Policies from the University of Boumerdes (Algeria) and the other in Strategic and Arms Control from Saint Petersburg State University (Russia). His Master’s thesis focused on the critical issues of institutional strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Nassim’s expertise is further enhanced by his experience as a Political Affairs Intern within the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). Additionally, Nassim served as a correspondent in Russia and the Middle East for GBP Aerospace and Defence, where he reported on significant developments in the defense sector. His research interests encompass WMD non-proliferation, arms control, and regional security issues, highlighting his commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.

Javed ALAM (India)

Research Associate for the Nuclear Vertical, Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS); Ph.D. Candidate, MMAJ Academy of International Studies

Javed Alam is a Research Associate for the Nuclear Vertical at the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), New Delhi, India. He has submitted a PhD (International Studies) at the MMAJ Academy of International Studies. He holds an MPhil in International Studies from MMAJ Academy of International Studies and a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Delhi. His research focuses on the strategic implications of emerging technologies and their impact on nuclear strategies in Southern Asia. He is also a Certified Nuclear Security fundamentals Professional (CNSfP) specialising in Nuclear Security Fundamentals from The World Institute for Nuclear Security Academy (WINS). He is also a Fellow of the Hague Code of Conduct and ballistic missile non-proliferation (HCoC).

Prince AMOAH (Ghana)

Nuclear Installations Directorate, Thermal Hydraulics and Reactor Design Assessment Unit, Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA)

Prince Amoah is a dedicated nuclear engineering professional with a strong passion for advancing the safe and secure use of nuclear science. Holding a Master's degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Ghana, Prince is in the final year of his Doctoral Studies in the same field at the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Atomic, Accra Ghana. His research focuses on nuclear safety, non-proliferation, and radiation shielding.

Shasta Kirana ARIANTO (Indonesia)

Intern, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)

Shasta Kirana is an intern in the External Relations, Protocol, and International Cooperation section of the CTBTO, as well as a member of the CTBTO Youth Group. She holds a BA in International Relations from Parahyangan Catholic University and an MA in North American Studies from Freie Universität Berlin. Her research focuses on global and regional security, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Previously, she worked as a research assistant at the Parahyangan Center for International Studies (PACIS) and interned at the Directorate General of ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. She is currently expanding her practical experience in disarmament and non-proliferation diplomacy through her work with the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO.

Fer AVAR (Türkiye)

Intern, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO

Fer Avar is an aspiring young professional and scholar in non-proliferation, arms control, and disarmament, with an expertise in emerging and disruptive technologies and CBRN defense. Currently, she is pursuing an internship at the External Relations, Protocol, and International Cooperation Section of the CTBTO and is a Mentee in the International Affairs Institute (IAI) & Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) Mentorship Programme. Previously, she held research positions at Carnegie Europe, Oxford Analytica, University College Roosevelt, University College London, Leiden University, and the Roosevelt Foundation. She holds an MA in International Relations from the Central European University, and a Liberal Arts & Sciences BA in Social Sciences from University College Roosevelt, Utrecht University. Soon, she will begin her PhD research at the University of Antwerp, focusing on the the growing high-tech and corporate involvement in the global defense-industrial value chain.

Anastasia BEZOTOSOVA (Russia)

Intern, Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS)

Anastasia Bezotosova is an intern at the Center for Energy and Security Studies. She is.a master’s student in Strategic and Arms Control Studies at St. Petersburg State University. Her research interests encompass the P5 Process and broader issues of arms control and disarmament. Her recent publications include “Strategic risk reduction and the P5 Process”. She has participated in the New Generation Experts Segment of the Moscow Nonproliferation Conference in both 2022 and 2024.

Anthony DAI (USA)

M.A. in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (2024)

Anthony Dai is a Graduate Research Assistant at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in its East Asia Nonproliferation Program and Seismically Cued Antineutrino Detector Project. He also served as a Freeman Foundation Awardee at the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University. He holds an M.S. from UC Berkeley and a B.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, both in nuclear engineering. As a Keepin Fellow, Anthony received advanced training in safeguard inspection at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His research interest channelled technical expertise to treaty verification and nuclear strategy, empowered by his native Chinese language ability.

Felipe DALCIN SILVA (Brazil)

Research Director, South-American Institute of Politics and Strategy (ISAPE)

Felipe Dalcin Silva is the Research Director at the South American Institute of Politics and Strategy (ISAPE) think tank. He is also a PhD student in International Strategic Studies at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), where he completed his Master’s degree in 2021. In 2017, he finished his undergraduate studies in International Relations at Centro Universitário Curitiba (UNICURITIBA), all these institutions located in Brazil. His main research focus is on nuclear weapons, with an emphasis on the role of tactical nuclear weapons as tools for deterrence and compulsion. His studies involve understanding how the development of such weapons systems disrupts non-proliferation and disarmament regimes and efforts.

Hely DESAI (India)

MPhil, Centre of Modern South Asian Studies, University of Cambridge

Hely Desai did her MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies from the University of Cambridge. She works on South Asian nuclear policy, deterrence, and security issues. Currently, she is a member of the Emerging Voices Network with BASIC.Int. She was an Associate Editor for the Cambridge Review of International Affairs and has formerly been affiliated with the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, Centre for Air Power Studies, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies and the Ministry of External Affairs, India.

Elia DURAN-SMITH (UK/Spain)

Political Section Clerk, Delegation of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament

Elia has previously interned within the International Security Programme at Chatham House and the Security and Technology Programme of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. Her current role in the Japanese delegation to the Conference on Disarmament includes supporting the delegation’s work on WMD issues, autonomous weapons, and the military use of AI. Elia holds a BA in History and French from University College Cork and an MSc in International Relations from the University of Glasgow. Her research interests include nuclear strategy, non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament, the intersection of international security and emerging technologies, and North Atlantic and Northeast Asian strategic security.

Fereshteh EHSANI (Iran)

International Law Assistant, Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority

Fereshteh is an International Law professional in the sphere of nuclear regulation and non-proliferation policies. With experience in nuclear energy and regulatory procedures, she brings a valuable legal perspective to complex challenges in security, non-proliferation, and disarmament. Driven by a deep commitment to creating a safer and more secure world, she is dedicated to advancing global security through effective regulatory frameworks and legal strategies.

Dina HANY KAMEL TAWFIK (Egypt)

Program Associate, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Peace Keeping (CCCPA)

Dina Tawfik is a Program Associate on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) at the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding in Africa (CCCPA). Previously, she was an intern at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) conducting research on Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zones. Dina completed her Master's degree in Political Science with a specialization in Middle East politics from the American University in Cairo. She authored her master's thesis on the evolution of nuclear signaling, providing an analysis of nuclear strategy from the Cold War to the post-Cold War era. Her research interests extend to nuclear risk reduction, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, science and technology for sustainable peace and development, post-conflict reconstruction and development, and the role of the Global South in the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

Abbas HUSSEIN (Somalia)

HR Officer, Imam Shafi'i University

Abbas Hussein is an industrial chemist with a strong background in chemical process optimization and quality control. He holds a Master's degree in Industrial Chemistry from the International University of Africa in Khartoum, Sudan, where he also completed his bachelor's in Applied Chemistry. Currently, Abbas is working as a researcher at the Center for Research & Studies at Imam Shafi'i University in Mogadishu, Somalia. His research interests focus on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation.

Jingjie He (China)

Postdoctoral Fellow,  Department of Political Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Dr. Jingjie He is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her research interests revolve around war and conflict, disruptive technologies, strategic decision-making, and defense modernization. Dr. He’s previous research experience spanned several world-renowned institutions, including the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, the Arms Control Negotiation Academy, and the Institute for National Security Studies (Israel). Aside from her academic career, Dr. He is also a certified practitioner with over eight years of experience in hi-tech, defense, and homeland security industries. Dr. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a Master’s degree in Security and Diplomacy Studies from Tel Aviv University, and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of British Columbia.

Wooyun JO (Republic of Korea)

Ph.D. Candidate, Politics and International Studies, Loughborough University; Council Member, Peaceful Unification Advisory Council

Wooyun Jo is a PhD Candidate in Politics and International Studies at Loughborough University. His research interests specialise in International Security, with a major focus on alliance politics and nuclear deterrence in the Korean Peninsula. Wooyun’s research has been accepted in peer-reviewed journals such as North Korean Review and Defense & Security Analysis. He is currently serving as a council member of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council and a postgraduate representative for the British International Studies Association (BISA) War Studies group. Wooyun earned his MA in International Security from the University of Leicester and a BA in Russian Language & Literature from Korea University.

Ibrahim KHALEFA (Libya)

Director, Training Center, Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA)

Ibrahim Khalefa is responsible for the Information Center & Virtual Lab at the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA). He leads the strategic development and operations of the JINR Information Center and Virtual Lab, facilitates access to cutting-edge technologies and research resources for students and researchers, and promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange among scientific communities. He previously interned at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, working in the Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section and contributing to various key projects. He holds a Master's degree in Nuclear Security from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria, and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Ecole Supérieure privée d'Ingénieurs et des Etudes Technologiques (ESIET) in Tunis, Tunisia. His research interests include radiation protection, nuclear safety, nuclear security, and cyber risks in nuclear programs.

Anum A Khan (Pakistan)

Associate Director, Center for International Strategic Studies Islamabad (CISS)

Anum A. Khan is an Associate Director at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) in Islamabad. She is currently enrolled in a Ph. D program in Defence and Strategic Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. She is a former visiting Ph.D. scholar at the School of History, Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester, UK. Anum is a project staff member of “The Third Nuclear Age Project” led by Prof. Andrew Futter. She worked with Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division at the Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Branch for a decade until July 2023. Anum holds an MPhil Degree in Strategic and Nuclear Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad, and a BS (Hon’s) in Media and Communication Studies from International Islamic University, Islamabad. Her areas of interest include issues related to emerging and new technologies, cyber-security, deterrence and strategic stability, nuclear export controls, policy and doctrines, civil nuclear energy, non-proliferation, arms control, and disarmament.

Ahyousha KHAN (Pakistan)

Associate Director, Strategic Vision Institute (SVI); Ph.D. Candidate, School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU)

Ahyousha Khan is Associate Director at the Strategic Vision Institute (SVI) in Islamabad and is currently pursuing a PhD from the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) at Quaid-e-Azam University. She holds an M.Phil. in Defense and Strategic Studies from Quaid-e-Azam University and a B.S. Honours in Defense and Diplomatic Studies from Fatima Jinnah Women University, both completed with distinctions. Since joining SVI in 2017, her research has focused on nuclear deterrence, non-proliferation, nuclear doctrines, and emerging technologies. She has contributed to these fields through publications in newspapers, international blogs, workshops, journals, and books.