Persian Alumni Leaders (PALs)

Our cohort of dedicated alumni supporting students


Technology & Engineering

  • Amir

    PostDoc

    PostDoc, Computer Science - UC Berkeley | PhD Computer Science - UT Austin | B.S. Aerospace Engineering - Amirkabir University of Technology

    Amir is passionate about helping aspiring students realize their potential.

  • Arya

    Startup Founder

    B.A. Computer Science - UC Berkeley

    Arya is passionate about helping students build cool technologies.

  • Amir

    Software Engineer

    M.S. Computer Science - Simon Fraser University | B.S. Computer Science - University of Toronto

    Amir is passionate about helping students navigate AI-first technical careers.

  • Amir

    Startup Founder

    M.S. Human Computer Interaction - UT Austin | B.S. Computer Science - UT Austin

    Amir is a former senior iOS Engineer at Google currently on his startup founder journey. He is passionate about helping students navigate careers in tech and entrepreneurship.

  • Amirabbas

    Software Engineer

    MBA - UC Berkeley Haas School of Business | B.S. Computer Engineering - University of British Columbia

    Amirabbas is most energized by zero-to-one problems and products people actually use.

  • Ehsan

    AI Product Application Engineer

    M.S. Computer Science - USC | B.S. Computer Science - California State University, Sacramento

    Ehsan is passionate about building a strong Persian community across North America and showcasing our culture.

  • Farhang

    ML Engineer

    M.A.Sc Biomedical Engineering - University of Toronto | B.A.Sc Computer Engineering - University of Toronto

    Farhang is passionate about discussing ways to reach your goals over a pors of cholokabab.

  • Hiva

    ML Engineer & Graduate Student

    M.S. Computer Science - Stanford University | B.S. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science - UC Berkeley

    Hiva is passionate about AI and community, and is here to help students find their path in tech and also give back to the community.

  • Hooman

    Software Engineer & Technical Lead

    M.S. Computer Science (AI) - Georgia Tech | B.S. Computer Science - UC Davis

    Hooman is passionate about helping students find their full potential to take risks and achieve their best version as next-generation leaders.

  • Makan

    Research Assistant & PhD Candidate

    PhD Computer Science - UC Davis | B.E. Software Engineering - Istanbul Aydin University

    Makan is dedicated to building meaningful connections and helping students grow through mentorship and innovation.

  • Masoud

    EECS PhD Student

    PhD Electrical Engineering & Computer Science - UC Berkeley | M.S. Electrical Engineering - Sharif University of Technology | B.E. Electrical & Electronics Engineering - Sharif University of Technology

    Masoud is passionate about helping students navigate and secure their futures in the new AI landscape, and encouraging students to learn how circuits work!

  • Nima

    Staff Engineer

    PhD Electrical Engineering - UT Dallas | B.S. Engineering - Iran University of Science & Technology

    Nima is an engineer working across hardware systems and AI, passionate about helping students turn ideas into real projects, build strong problem-solving skills, and navigate paths into engineering and tech careers.

  • Rojan

    Electrical Engineer

    B.S. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science - UC Berkeley

    Rojan is passionate about building at the edge of tech and pushing our community forward, together.

  • Rose

    EECS PhD Student

    PhD Electrical Engineering & Computer Science - UC Berkeley | M.S. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science - UC Berkeley | B.S. Computer Science & Communications Engineering - Waseda University

    Rose is passionate about helping students open their paths in computer science research, entrepreneurship, and fostering women’s represention in tech.

  • Sadjad

    Principal ML Engineer

    PhD Computer Engineering - Northeastern | M.S. Computer Engineering - Northeastern | B.S. Computer Engineering (Software) - University of Tehran

    Sadjad is passionate about helping with career planning and development in ML and Robotics.

  • Saghi

    Clinical Research Scientist

    PhD Mechanical Engineering - UC Berkeley | B.S. Mechanical Engineering - University of Tehran

    Saghi is passionate about helping students navigate the graduate school application process and explore diverse career opportunities.

  • Sorhan

    Startup Founder

    B.S. Microbiology - Texas A&M | B.S. Computer Science - Texas A&M

    Sohran is passionate about building meaningful things and helping others grow along the way.ption goes here

Health & Medicine

  • Ali

    BioPharma Scientist

    M.S. Analytical Chemistry & BioInformatics - Brown University | B.S. Molecular Biology & Biochemistry - UC Santa Cruz

    Ali is passionate about helping his hamwatans navigate the job market and break into the biopharmaceutical industry while working toward their goals.

  • Ali

    Medical Student

    M.D. - UC Irvine School of Medicine | B.S. Biology - UCLA

    Ali is passionate about fostering a strong support network for Persian students and helping them reach their full potential.

  • Amir

    Anesthesiology Resident

    Anesthesiology Residency - Harbor-UCLA Medical Center | M.D. - Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine | B.S. Cellular & Molecular Biology - UCLA

    Amir is passionate about helping students get into top med school programs.

  • Ethan

    Medical Student

    M.D. - Stanford University School of Medicine | B.S. Human Biology & Society - UCLA

    Ethan is eager to increase the number of Persians at top medical schools by making the medical school application process more accessible for Iranian students.

  • Farnoush

    Medical Student

    DO - Western University of Health Sciences | B.S. Biology - UC Irvine

    Farnoush is a DO medical student passionate about mentoring students through the challenges of growth, identity, and finding direction in their academic journey.

  • Fatima

    Dental Student

    B.S. Biology - UCLA | DDS - UCSF School of Dentistry

    Fatima is excited to mentor, connect, and support Iranian students.

  • Hasti

    Associate Psychotherapist

    M.A. Clinical Psychology - Pepperdine University | B.A. Psychology - California State University, Fullerton

    Hasti is passionate about helping Iranian students move from surviving to thriving by supporting their mental well-being and pursuit of their dream careers and education.

  • Hasti

    Dental Student

    DDS - USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry | B.S. Biology - California State University, Northridge

    Hasti is committed to guiding students toward becoming successful, compassionate dentists.

  • Karin

    DDS & PhD Candidate

    DDS/PhD Oral & Craniofacial Sciences - UCSF School of Dentistry | B.S. Molecular & Cell Biology - UC Berkeley

    Karin is a first-generation DDS/PhD student passionate about empowering the next generation of Iranian healthcare professionals and researchers to find their path with confidence.

  • Kimia

    Staff Research Associate

    M.S. Biological & Biomedical Sciences - UC San Diego | B.S. Cellular & Molecular Biology - UC San Diego

    Kimia is passionate about helping students explore their interests in biology and biomedical research, find labs that align with their goals, and feel supported throughout the graduate school application process.

  • Nami

    Medical Student

    M.D. - UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine | B.S. Molecular & Cell Biology - UC Berkeley

    Nami is excited to help students prepare for a career in medicine, one of the best jobs in the world!

  • Roshan

    Family Medicine Physician

    Family Medicine Residency - University of Washington | M.D. - University of Michigan Medical School | M.S. Clinical Research - University of Michigan | B.S. Biochemistry - University of Michigan

    Roshan is passionate about contributing to our community and providing guidance to students pursuing or considering a career in medicine.

  • Shadi

    Child Neurology Resident

    Child Neurology Residency - UC San Diego School of Medicine | M.D. - Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine | B.A. Molecular & Cell Biology - UC San Diego

    Shadi is passionate about guiding students to successfully complete their medical path.

  • Shahrzad

    Clinical Pharmacist

    PharmD - USC Mann School of Pharmacy | M.S. Health Care Decision Analysis - USC | B.A. Biological Science - California State University, Northridge

    Shahrzad is committed to elevating the next generation of healthcare leaders through mentorship, strategic career guidance, and leadership development.

  • Shireen

    Optometrist

    O.D. - UC Berkeley School of Optometry | B.S. Cognitive Science (Neuroscience) - UC Davis

    Shireen is passionate about guiding students through their academic and professional journeys.

  • Shiva

    Dental Student

    DDS - UCLA School of Dentistry | B.S. Biology & Evolutionary Medicine - UCLA

    Shiva is passionate about mentorship and dentistry, dedicated to helping students achieve their goals and build meaningful, successful careers.

  • Tara

    PharmD Candidate

    PharmD - USC Mann School of Pharmacy | B.S. Cell & Molecular Biology & Physiology - California State University, Long Beach

    Tara is passionate about empowering Persian students and helping them discover their path in the healthcare field.

Business & Product

  • Amir (Pooria)

    Senior Product Marketing Manager

    MBA - UC Berkeley Haas School of Business | PhD Electrical Engineering - Texas A&M University | B.E. Electrical Engineering - Sharif University of Technology (Aryamehr)

    Amir loves the Iranian culture and is always a supporter of the Persian community.

  • Ehsan

    AI Product Lead

    MBA - Stanford Graduate School of Business | M.A.Sc Electrical & Computer Engineering - University of Toronto | B.S. Mechatronics, Robotics & Automation Engineering - McMaster University

    Ehsan is passionate about helping students build successful careers in technology and business.

  • Farzad

    Senior Product Manager

    MBA - UC Berkeley Haas School of Business | B.S. Electrical & Computer Engineering - UT Austin

    Farzad is passionate about developing future leaders.

  • Mohammad

    Senior Business Transformation Consultant

    B.A. Business Administration - UC Irvine

    Mohammad is passionate about empowering students to bridge the gap between their education and successful careers in corporate strategy, entrepreneurship, and the first-generation professional journey.

  • Mona

    Head of Marketing

    Mona is passionate about unlocking potential non-linear careers, building careers with skill range, and helping people bet on themselves.

  • Niki

    Staff Product Manager

    MBA - UC Berkeley Haas School of Business | B.S. - University of Waterloo

    Niki is big on helping students figure things out, tell their story, and build careers that actually feel right for them.

  • Niki

    Strategic Communications Consultant

    B.A. English & Classics - UC Berkeley

    Niki is passionate about helping students discover careers that align with their values and strengths.

  • Novine

    Head of Talent Strategy

    M.A. Industrial & Organizational Psychology - Chicago School of Professional Psychology | B.A. Business Economics - UC Irvine

    Novine is passionate about helping professionals unlock their potential and build the careers they've always envisioned.

  • Sina

    Product Manager

    PhD Electrical Engineering - UCLA | M.S. Electrical Engineering - UCLA | B.A.Sc Electrical Engineering - University of Waterloo

    Sina is excited to empower the next generation of leaders to successfully bridge academia and industry while remaining flexible and technically sharp in an AI-first world.

  • Tala

    UX Manager

    B.A. Strategic Communications - University of Minnesota

    Tala is passionate about helping students break into tech, design and innovation.

  • Yasameen

    Program Manager

    B.S. Business/Managerial Economics - UC Davis

    Yasameen is passionate about helping students navigate their careers, build confidence, and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth and success.

  • Yasi

    COO & Project Management Consultant

    Project Management Certificate - UC Berkeley | B.A. Communications - San Jose State University

    Yasi is passionate about building meaningful connections, strengthening the Iranian diaspora, and creating spaces where the next generation of leaders can grow and thrive.

Architecture & Construction Management

  • Saman

    Project Manager

    B.S. Civil Engineering - UC Davis

    Saman is eager to connect with students interested in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry and help them launch their careers in this space.

  • Shahrzad

    Field Engineer & Construction Estimator

    MCM - USC Viterbi School of Engineering | B.Arch - UC Berkeley

    Shahrzad is passionate about helping students discover and shape their career paths, support them as they explore opportunities within the architecture and construction fields, navigate key decisions, and build the confidence and skills needed to grow both professionally and personally.

  • Yeganeh

    Associate AIA & Technical Designer

    M.Arch - UC Berkeley | M.Arch - University of Tehran | B.Arch - University of Tehran

    Yeganeh is passionate about leveraging the power of Architecture with AI.

Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

  • Armita

    J.D. Candidate

    J.D. - UC Berkeley School of Law | B.A. Criminology & Political Science - UC Irvine

    Armita is passionate about supporting Iranian students as they navigate pre-law, law school applications, and being a law school student.

  • Danial

    Economics PhD Candidate

    PhD Economics - UC Berkeley | M.A. Economics - Boston University | B.A. Economics & Math - Boston University

    Danial is a grad student dedicated to experiencing as much of life as he can, and helping any who are looking to do the same.

  • Hamidreza

    Economist

    PhD Econometrics & Quantitative Economics - UC Santa Cruz | B.S. Economics - University of Tehran

    Hamidreza is passionate about contributing to the Iranian community and supporting fellow students in economics and finance.

  • Helia

    Artist

    MFA (Art Studio) - UC Davis | B.A. Art Practice - UC Berkeley

    Helia is passionate about helping students envision their careers in the arts.

  • Nazanin

    J.D. Candidate

    J.D. - UC Irvine School of Law | B.A. Legal Studies - Tehran Azad University

    Nazanin is passionate about using law to empower international and underrepresented students while advancing justice across borders.

  • Roya

    Contracts Analyst & Administrator

    J.D. - California Western School of Law | B.A. International Relations & Affairs - UC Davis

    Roya is passionate about helping students navigate law school and discover rewarding, non-traditional legal career pathways.

  • Shayda

    Sociology PhD Candidate

    PhD Sociology - UC Riverside | M.A. Sociology - UC Riverside | B.A. Sociology & Latin American/Latino Studies - UC Santa Cruz

    Shayda is passionate about supporting students of her community in their pursuit of higher education and research in the social sciences.

  • Yasamin

    J.D. Candidate

    J.D. - Southwestern Law School | B.A. Economics - UCLA

    Yasamin is passionate about helping students apply to and succeed in law school.

If you don’t see a PAL in your field, or aren’t sure which PAL would be the best fit for you to connect with, don’t worry!

Email us at palprogram@iranianamericanstudents.org and we’d be happy to help connect you with the right PAL based on your interests, goals, and area of focus.