As a career development professional and early career researcher of middle eastern history, I hope to bring a unique perspective to solving problems built on wisdom from the past and informed by the latest theories and technology. I thoroughly enjoy serving as a conduit and building connections between people with similar interests, skillsets, and goals. With over 8 years experience in program and people management in the higher education and not-for-profit industries, I've learned that valuing people as people is the most important thing an organization can do. My academic research interests include: Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, and Hebrew language studies; history of religions, particularly Christianity in the Middle East; and historiography, the way history is conceived and retold. My dissertation focuses on the biblical canon in the Syriac language, attempting to refine and refocus what is meant by 'canon' and how texts obtain and exercise authority in communities.