Shahlaa is a DC-based Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey fellow focusing on various areas of human rights work. She holds a master’s degree in global affairs and policy with a concentration in international cooperation, international law, international organizations, and foreign policy. Her research focuses on security-related issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as conflict resolution and foreign policy. She has experience working with international organizations including the International Organization for Migration – UN Migration Agency, where she supports the establishment of a regional center of excellence training in the field of combatting trafficking in persons. She also worked with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to research and track legislation as relevant to the Middle East. Shahlaa is the Bahrain winner of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship for the year 2022-2023 and an awardee of the Korean Government Scholarship Program for the year 2017.