Babak Behnam, Vice President for Meeting Coordination
Babak Behnam did a medical (MD) degree at Iran University of Medical Sciences (1997), followed by a MSc in Molecular Medicine in Sheffield University, and a PhD in Human Genetics at University College London (2005). Then he awarded a NIH-based (NRSA) postdoctoral fellowship in medical genetics at U Michigan and moved to United States. Also he did some translational neuroscience research as adjunct faculty at University of Central Florida (2007-2009). Then he joined back to IUMS and served as a faculty member, clinical geneticist, and director of diagnostic genetic laboratory at dept. Medical Genetics Children Hospital (2009-2015). In 2016, he came back to the US and did an additional board-accredited fellowship in Clinical Biochemical Genetics at NIH. At the same time and in parallel, he has done some translational research in Undiagnosed Disease Program (UDP) at NHGRI, and published about 25 scientific articles including some reports of Iranian patients with rare genetic diseases as well as the patients registered in UDP. As a scientist in clinical and laboratory medicine, and also based on his medical education, his main interest is in genomic medicine and molecular mechanisms of the diseases. He has contribution and authorship in more than 60 scientific papers.
Manouchehr Farkhondeh
Dr. Manouchehr Farkhondeh is a physicist at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. He joined DOE in 2006 as a Program Manager for Advanced Technology Research and Development (R&D) for Office of Nuclear Physics. His past appointments include a postdoctoral position at University of Virginia and a staff scientist at MIT Bates Linear Accelerator Center. Prior to joining DOE, he held a Principal Research Scientist position at MIT and was the Division Head of Physics and Accelerator at the accelerator center. Concurrently, He also was an Adjunct lecturer at Merrimack College in Massachusetts teaching physics. Dr. Farkhondeh is a member of American Physical Society.
Dr. Farkhondeh received his Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics from MIT in 1984, and a B.S degree in Physics from Tehran University. Dr. Farkhondeh has published over sixty peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals and in proceedings of international conferences. His technical expertise includes particle accelerators as tools for discovery sciences to study subatomic properties of matter, and applications of particle detection techniques and particle accelerators for societal needs such as medical diagnostics and treatment, and cargo screening. Dr. Farkhondeh’s scientific interest is in experimental medium energy nuclear physics, including properties of few-body systems, the use of polarized electrons to test weak interaction theories, and study nuclear and nucleon structure.
Aram Hessami, Vice President for Planning
Dr. Aram Hessami is a professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Montgomery College in Rockville Maryland. He received his Doctorate in Political Science from The George Washington University in 1993. Dr. Hessami’s specialization is in Western Political Thought.His Dissertation is on Democracy & Postmodern Thinking. Since September 11, he is the Middle East expert for WRNR radio in Martinsburg West Virginia.Dr. Hessami also is a News Analyst for The Voice of America Television based in Washington D.C.His writing and research focus on modern political theory and comparative politics.
Somayeh Hooshmand
Dr. Somayeh Hooshmand is a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities/NIH, working in the lab of Dr. Eliseo Pérez-Stable. Her research focuses on genetics and health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations. She obtained her Ph.D. in Human Genetics from the University of Putra Malaysia after completing her master’s degree in genetic engineering. While her research focused on breast cancer metastasis, she also developed a passion for driving positive change and addressing issues such as gender equality, women’s empowerment, health disparities, healthcare access for vulnerable populations, and genetics-related health issues. Driven by this passion, Dr. Hooshmand pursued a second Ph.D. in public administration and public policy, with a specific focus on health outcomes and health policy, at Old Dominion University, Virginia.
Dr. Hooshmand has actively contributed to various boards and committees throughout her career. She co-chairs the NIH Science Policy Discussion Group (SPDG), which brings together fellows with a shared interest in understanding the intersection of scientific research and legislative policy. Additionally, she serves as the Program Committee Co-Chair of Women in Bio (WIB) – Capital Region to promote the careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship of women in the life sciences. Moreover, she holds the position of Chair for the IAAP Scholarship Committee, assuming responsibility for the overall coordination and direction of the scholarship program.
Jamal Rostami, Secretary
Dr. Rostami is the founder of the Iranian Academic Association (IAA), Washington DC chapter. He has over 18 years of experience in design, management, research, and teaching in the field of mining, tunneling, civil infrastructure, and underground construction. He is specialized in advanced and mechanized tunneling systems including TBM, Roadheaders, coal and industrial mineral excavation machinery and shaft/raise boring machines. He has been involved in projects varying from feasibility study to design, execution, and post-construction analysis and claim. He has worked on various mining and tunneling projects as a consultant, holding positions as a senior tunnel/geotechnical engineer with companies including CMD, Brierley Associates, and Jenny Engineering. He is currently a faculty of Pennsylvania State University, working as an assistant professor of Mining, in the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering at University Park, PA. His prior academic activities include faculty of Engineering (Fanni) at the University of Tehran and Colorado School of Mines (CSM). Dr. Rostami is a registered Professional Engineering (PE) in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. He has published over 54 papers and many technical reports as well as many presentations in professional conferences. He has a BSc in Mining Engineering from University of Tehran and MSc and Ph.D. in Mining Engineering CSM. He is a member of SME, ASCE, ARMA, TRB AFF-60 Tunneling Committee, University of Tehran Alumni Association, Iranian Mining Engineering, tunneling and Rock Mechanic Societies.
Dr. Hessam Yazdani, President
Dr. Yazdani is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and the director of the Sustainable Infrastructure, Geotechnics, and Materials (SIGMa) Lab at the University of Missouri. He specializes in machine learning, geotechnical engineering, multifunctional composites, risk and reliability analysis, and optimization. Dr. Yazdani’s interdisciplinary research centers on enhancing the sustainability and climate resilience of civil infrastructure. He has authored/co-authored over 70 publications in books, peer-reviewed journals, and conference proceedings. His expertise and leadership have also earned him invitations to serve on various advisory boards, grant review committees, and technical panels. Dr. Yazdani has received several competitive international and national awards, including a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation and a DURIP award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Dr. Yazdani’s expertise extends beyond academia. He has actively engaged with industry professionals and government agencies to bridge the gap between research and practical implementation. Passionate about education, Dr. Yazdani has been recognized several times as the Faculty, Mentor, and Advisor of the Year. Dr. Yazdani is a registered professional engineer.
Dr. Yazdani is the President of IAAP. Previously, he served IAAP as the Chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Advisory Board
Dr. Yasaman Ardeshirpour
Dr. Mohsen Mosleh
Dr. Jamal Rostami
Dr. Mali Naghavi