Instructor

Bio

Alaa is a fourth year PhD candidate in the Educational Neuroscience program at Emirates College for Advanced Education - Abu Dhabi. Her main research interest is in the wellbeing of young adults and adolescents, using an applied cognitive-developmental perspective.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching Sciences and Mathematics and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, both awarded with high distinction.

Alaa’s experience in teaching has been wide and rich, where she taught K-12 students for 10+ years. Additionally, she taught research skills as a teacher librarian and assisted students with their projects and research papers. Her relationship with students is built on trust, respect, and a positive enthusiastic attitude towards learning.

In the Fall of 2020, she was appointed a full-time instructor at ZU in the department of Advising and Academic Development - University College (UC). In Spring 2021, she joined the Centre for Student Success: advising first semester students, teaching the ‘Strategies for University Success’ course, as well as the ‘Positivity and Wellbeing’ course. She then joined the College of Interdisciplinary Studies in Fall 2022.

Office

Abu Dhabi - Khalifa City, MF3-2-010

Email:

Teaching Areas

Interdisciplinary studies
Positivity and Well Being
Strategic Learning & Growth
Applied Creative and Critical Thinking

Research and Professional Activities

Mind Wandering During Perceptual Decision-Making using neuroimaging: Educational Implications. European Neuroscience Conference by Doctoral Students (ENCODS)    Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS). Online June 4-6, 2021

Training Cognitive Processes in Late Adolescence to Support Emotion Regulation.1st International Conference on Emotional Intelligence, Happiness, and Wellbeing in Higher Education, Higher Colleges of Technology - UAE. Online Feb 18-20, 2021

A neuroimaging study of mind wandering during perceptual decision making: implications for education. The NIE International Graduate Student Conference . National Institute of Education – Singapore. Online June 24-26, 2020