The Summer Academy Team

Aesha Mesmar is a Program Coordinator and Graphic Designer for the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Community Programs at NYU Abu Dhabi. In this dual role, she expertly manages social media platforms and oversees program logistics. Mesmar holds a degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design from Zayed University. 

Outside of her professional pursuits, she is an avid enthusiast of cinema and the arts, and she finds inspiration in exploring a wide variety of creative activities.

A graduate of the Summer Academy program, Ahmed Almheiri's journey reflects the program’s lasting impact. Coming from a public high school, he found the experience both challenging and transformative — sharpening his critical thinking, strengthening his writing, and preparing him for the SATs, which led to his acceptance into the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Scholarship Program.

Almheiri went on to earn his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, building on the strong academic foundation the Summer Academy provided. During his time in Philadelphia, he developed a deep interest in education and youth development, volunteering with tutoring initiatives and later interning with the Summer Discovery Program. Professionally, he began his career at Khalifa University, supporting faculty research before transitioning into research funding within the university’s R&D division. 

Despite this exposure to institutional strategy, Almheiri felt drawn back to student-centered work. He now serves as a Coordinator with the Community Programs team, where he is proud to contribute to a program that once shaped his own path and to support the next generation of students in the UAE.

Ayan Ibrahim is the Academic and Student Affairs Senior Specialist and Lead Course Facilitator for the NYUAD Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Community Program, where she oversees all academic aspects of the NYUAD Summer Academy and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Programs. She supports faculty in course planning and curriculum development and ensures alignment with program objectives. Ayan also manages recruitment, staff selection, and various administrative tasks to ensure smooth programmatic execution. In the past, Ibrahim has taught or assisted in various Summer Academy courses, including College Readiness and Success, Critical Thinking and Writing, and Leadership and Public Speaking.

She holds a Bachelor's in Journalism and a Master's in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, concentrating on Reading/Language and Literacy Education. With over a decade of teaching experience within the United States and the UAE, Ibrahim is dedicated to fostering critical thinking and student-centered learning.

Dr. Aysha Aljaberi is the Assistant Vice Provost of the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Community Programs and the PhD Pathways Program at NYU Abu Dhabi. She provides strategic and operational leadership across academic, administrative, and cross-cultural initiatives designed to develop exceptional Emirati students and scholars.

A certified clinical scientist, Aljaberi has held multiple senior roles across healthcare operations, research, and academia in Abu Dhabi. She previously served as Director of the Disease Prevention and Screening Center and managed the main laboratories of Ambulatory Health Services in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Her key achievements include expanding service access through the opening of new centers in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, increasing market share and revenue, standardizing disease prevention protocols across facilities, and securing national and international laboratory accreditations. She also served as an adjunct faculty member in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Aljaberi holds a PhD and a Master of Research in Biomedical Sciences/Biochemistry from the medical schools of the University of Nottingham and the University of Strathclyde, respectively, and a BSc from UAE University. Her published research focuses on cancer cell and molecular biology. She is a recipient of the Sheikh Rashid Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement and Academic Excellence, granted by the UAE Embassy in London.

As an educator, Aljaberi is passionate about mentorship, teaching, and student development, particularly in supporting youth to become confident, ethical, and globally minded leaders. She is also passionate about improving the quality of life for people of determination.

Dylan Read has dedicated his career to helping students explore their academic paths, prepare for university, and set themselves up for long-term success. He started out as a social studies teacher in the US and UAE before moving into counseling, where he has spent more than a decade guiding students through admissions, scholarships, and career planning.

Before joining NYU Abu Dhabi, Read worked as a career and university counselor at ADNOC Schools, supporting students as they applied to some of the world’s leading universities. He holds master’s degrees in counseling and education, along with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and secondary education from Arizona State University. Having lived in the UAE for over 12 years, Read has a strong understanding of the region’s education landscape and a passion for mentoring young people. Outside of work, you’ll often find him golfing, hiking, traveling, or enjoying music.

Haile Ademe is an accomplished mathematics educator with over a decade of experience in various leadership and teaching roles within the academic realm. With a diverse background encompassing positions such as Head of Math, Vice Principal, Academic Programmer, AP and IB Math Educator, and University Lecturer. Ademe holds a BSc degree in Applied Mathematics, a BA degree in Management, a Master's degree in Mathematics, a Master of Education in Advanced Teaching from the United States, and a Professional Postgraduate Teaching Diploma in Math from Al Ain University.

Ademe's teaching approach centers around fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students are encouraged to engage critically with mathematical concepts. Through a combination of real-world applications, collaborative projects, and personalized feedback, Ademe aims to instill a deep appreciation for the beauty and relevance of mathematics in his students. By promoting a growth mindset and emphasizing the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges, Ademe empowers his students to become confident problem solvers and lifelong learners in the fields of mathematics and science.

Kalon Damons serves as the Academic Affairs Coordinator in the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Scholars Program. She holds a Bachelor's and Honors degree in International Relations from Stellenbosch University and is currently completing her Master's research on the integration of international short-term students into the academic and social life of South African higher education institutions.

Her work is grounded in a passion for internationalization in higher education, and in the experiences of students navigating unfamiliar academic and cultural environments. Prior to joining NYUAD, Damons served as Coordinator for International Incoming Semester Programs at Stellenbosch University, where she supported academic advising alongside the transition and integration of incoming exchange students into campus life.

At NYUAD, she brings this focus on student experience, academic advising, and cross-cultural integration to her work within Community Programs, supporting the academic affairs that underpin a vibrant, globally engaged student community.

Maleha Arif is a dedicated educator with a passion for integrating technology into learning. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature and a Master of Education, providing her with a robust foundation in teaching and educational leadership. Arif began her career in Dubai, then moved to Al Ain and is currently employed at NYU Abu Dhabi. Her innovative approach to education and her dedication to staying abreast of emerging technologies exemplify her commitment to creating dynamic, engaging, and future-ready learning environments.

Arif is the Operations and Recruitment Manager for Summer Academy and has taught both Critical Thinking and Writing as well as Leadership and Public Speaking. This will be her fourth year teaching Critical Thinking and Persuasive Writing for SMSP, where she continues to inspire and equip scholars with essential skills for their academic and professional futures. Passionate about both academic and creative writing, Maleha emphasizes that, in a world where AI is taking over many writing tasks, the voice and creativity of scholars and students can never be replaced. She uses AI as a tool in both her writing and art, demonstrating its potential while reinforcing the irreplaceable value of human creativity.

Outside of her professional life, Arif enjoys creating art. She started her art journey by painting large-sized canvases using acrylics and has now ventured into the world of digital art. Her art can be seen in Women’s History Month collaborations, NFT Bali, and Coin Coffee.

Povashni Naidu is the Programming and Strategy Manager for both the NYU Abu Dhabi Summer Academy and the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program. Since joining the programs in 2013, Povashni has been instrumental in shaping and executing educational initiatives that promote academic excellence and leadership among high-achieving students.

Before her role at NYUAD, Naidu successfully coordinated several international medical conferences for Synovetics in Abu Dhabi, showcasing her expertise in large-scale event planning and stakeholder coordination. She began her career in South Africa with Massdiscounters as a graduate associate, where she was later promoted to oversee training for the company’s national retail operations.

Naidu holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a Diploma in Human Resource Management from the University of South Africa, and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Glasgow. With a strong foundation in education, corporate training, and strategic program development, she brings a thoughtful and impactful approach to her work with students and institutional partners alike.

Sara Aldhaheri is a Program Coordinator for the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Community Programs. She acquired her BA in International Relations from Zayed University. Politics and history are subjects close to her heart. Outside of work, she enjoys spending her time with cats and learning the Russian language.