About me

I am an Astrophysicist originally from Lebanon. I did my high-school at Le Collège des Sœurs des Saints-Cœurs, my undergraduate degree (Physics, pre-med) at the American University of Beirut and my Masters and PhD (Physics) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA). I then did a NASA fellowship at the Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, Maryland), Lab for High-Energy Astrophysics before moving to Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) to jump-start an Astrophysics Program at the University of Manitoba, the sole PhD granting institution in the Province. I held the NSERC UFA fellowship then a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Supernova (Remnants) Astrophysics, and have most recently been awarded a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Extreme Astrophysics.
 
I am fascinated by extreme objects and phenomena in the Universe - phenomena that are unattainable in any Earth laboratory! These are attributed to neutron stars and magnetars, pulsar wind nebulae, supernova remnants, black holes, microquasars and compact objects mergers. I am also passionate about teaching and interacting with students at all levels.


I'm a mother of two now-teen-agers who managed to convince me to adopt two cats (Caramel and Honey)!   
I speak English, French and Arabic. I love interacting with a diversity of people, and enjoy nature, music and sports.