PORSESH POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PR) is an independent, non-profit research think tank based in Washington. PR’s mission is to produce fact-based analysis that informs constructive interventions and solutions. The institute is deeply committed to impartiality, employs a human-centered design approach, and emphasizes the importance of contextualized knowledge in its work. PR primarily focuses on underserved communities and minority populations.
Founded in 2015, PR emerged in response to the historical tyranny and injustices in Afghanistan. It was the only non-profit research institute dedicated to advocating for minorities and marginalized communities, challenging the widespread misinformation and disinformation that have distorted the decision-making culture. After the fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban in August 2021, PR was forced to relocate. With the support of a passionate team of U.S. colleagues, PR rebranded and registered as a U.S.-based think tank, continuing its mission to provide fact-based analysis and solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time.
PR’s services focus on four main areas: conducting action-oriented research for informed decision-making, providing professional training, advocating based on data and facts, and offering expert consultancy in its specialized fields.
Meet PR Team
Kara Andrade, Ph.D., M.J.,
Member of Board of Directors and Strategic Communication Strategist
Kara Andrade, Editor in Chief at Carolina Public Press, has 20+ years of experience in journalism, media, social entrepreneurship, public health, and research. She's led projects in 20+ countries, focusing on inclusive narratives to address democracy challenges. As an Ashoka fellow and Fulbright scholar, she co-founded HablaCentro Informatics NFP and LLC, fostering citizen journalism hubs in Latin America during political crises.
Kara, an adjunct professor, holds an M.J. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from American University's School of Communication. Her dedication drives Carolina Public Press, an award-winning, nonpartisan news organization in North Carolina.
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Dr. Melissa Kerr Chiovenda
Member of Board of Directors
Dr. Melissa Kerr Chiovenda is currently Equity Research Adviser and the US Department of Transportation as part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science and Technology Policy Fellowship. Prior to this, she worked as an assistant professor of anthropology at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, for five years. She earned her PhD from University of Connecticut in 2016.
Her research interests have included collective trauma and Hazara civil society activists in Bamyan, Afghanistan, political identity of Afghan refugees in Greece, and ethno-historical and oral history understandings of the Hazara genocide of the late 1800s. She has published numerous articles and book chapters on these topics.
Read MoreEhsan Shayegan
Founder & President
Ehsan, born in war-ravaged Afghanistan, endured forced migration at age 10 due to his persecuted ethnicity under Taliban rule, igniting his passion for positive change. At 24, he founded PR, a human rights-oriented policy research institute, providing fair, and fact-based analyses for constructive interventions. Currently leading a diverse team at PR, Ehsan also oversees student projects at the University of Washington and contributes to a cultural and health information program focused on underserved populations.
With over a decade of involvement in research, he collaborated with various local, regional, and global institutions. Ehsan's interests lie in data privacy, human-centered data & technology, digital and internet disparity.
Read MoreHassan Javid, Ph.D,
Member of Board of Directors & Senior Researcher
Hasan Javid supports immigrants and refugees in their resettlement journey. As an immigrant himself, he empathizes with their challenges, focusing on immigration, integration, identity, and culture. Javid holds a Ph.D. and a Master's in Economics, funded by full scholarships (MEXT) from the Japanese Government, and a bachelor's degree, supported by an ICCR scholarship from India.
Previously, he served as a Cultural Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and worked as Deputy Field Program Officer with USAID in Afghanistan for three years. Motivated by social justice, Javid envisions a fair society where all individuals, especially those facing discrimination and limited opportunities, lead fulfilling lives.
Read MorePerla Galindo
Senior Grants Manager
Perla, coming from New Mexico, enriches our team with her profound experience working with immigrant communities, which deeply informs our funding needs. Her commitment to advancing human rights extends across various states, advocating for vulnerable populations in the U.S., Mexico, and worldwide. Perla's expertise includes aiding victims of violence, championing the LGBT+ community, facilitating healthcare access, and collaborating on global initiatives, fostering social change.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Perla finds joy in brewing beer with her home-brewers club and cherishing moments spent with her loyal canine companion, Gizmo.
Read MoreMohammad Reza Sharifi
IT and Information Specialist
Mohammad Reza Sharifi has a strong background in Computer Science, with his passion for teaching emerging during his time as a 10th-grade ESL instructor at the Star Educational Society in Kabul. He earned a Bachelor's in Computer Applications from the University of Mysore on an ICCR scholarship funded by the Indian Government, all while working as a Web Developer at Shishira Softbiz Pvt. Ltd. In 2019, Sharifi joined PR as an IT Officer, where he managed the PR website and collaborated closely with researchers, providing analytics support through programming.
He holds a Master's in Computer Science from the University of Mysore, with a focus on Machine Learning and Data Science. Sharifi aspires to leverage data for informed decision-making, with a strong interest in data analysis, statistical modeling, web development, and IT. He is proficient in Python, R, MATLAB, web technologies, and various other programming languages.
Read MoreManzoor Hussain Salihy
Designer
Manzoor Hussain Salihy is a seasoned Creative Designer, Photographer, and Team Leader with seven years of experience. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and typography, he excels in delivering high-quality projects on time across various print and digital mediums. Manzoor's leadership skills shine through process optimization and team morale boosting.
With a background in Computer Science from Kazakh National Pedagogical University, he is passionate about pushing creative boundaries and optimizing processes for efficient project management.
Read MoreFahim Ahmad Yusufzai
Data Analyst
Fahim is a driven data analyst and accomplished researcher with a Master of Arts in Economics. His career highlights include impactful roles at institutions like The Asia Foundation (TAF), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Afghan Women Network (AWN), Assess Transform Reach (ATR) Consulting, and Institute of War and Peace Studies (IWPS), where he led and contributed to numerous national and sub-national studies.
His publication record covers essential topics, including peace, women's rights, and freedom of expression.
Read MoreDr. Arif Sahar
Senior Researcher
Dr. Arif Sahar is a researcher at Sheffield Hallam University, UK, with a primary focus on international security and terrorism. He holds a PhD in the political economy of state-building in post-2001 Afghanistan from UCL-Institute of Education and has an extensive publication record in peer-reviewed academic journals. Recently, he co-authored a book on Afghanistan with Prof. Christian Kaunert, which will be published by Routledge.
Dr. Sahar is the founding director of the Kabul-based think tank, Centre for Peace & Development Studies. He has also served as a senior adviser to the Afghan government and numerous international development agencies, including the World Bank (WB), UNDP, and DfID. At PORSESH POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PR), he contributes to research initiatives on Afghanistan and South Asia.
Read MoreNirmal Mani Dahal
Non-Resident Research Fellow
Nirmal Mani Dahal, a dedicated Drought Analyst with a Ph.D. in Physical Geography from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializes in climate, drought, and agriculture research. His expertise lies in evaluating climate factors contributing to drought, analyzing drought variability and trends, and assessing the impact of drought on agricultural productivity, particularly in Nepal. Nirmal has published extensively in SCI-indexed journals, focusing on topics such as drought variability, crop yield losses, and the impacts of drought on agriculture.
With over a decade of professional experience in climate change advisory services, research, and monitoring, Nirmal has supported local governments in Nepal through evidence-based approaches, human centered design, co-production of knowledge, citizen science to local planning. His skills include drought modeling and research, project design and implementation, local governance and planning process. Nirmal's work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also provides practical solutions for stakeholders, empowering them to make informed decisions and adapt to changing climate conditions.Moreover, Nirmal's commitment to driving impactful change through scientific inquiry and practical application is evident in his research. By bridging the gap between scientific insights and practical solutions, Nirmal's work facilitates climate risk mitigation for communities, while also informing policies and disaster management strategies. His dedication to advancing climate resilience and protecting livelihoods underscores his profound understanding of the challenges posed by changing climate, drought, and agriculture, particularly in rural-urban areas.
Read MoreFlorence (They/Them)
Outreach Officer
Florence is PR’s Outreach Officer. She is a current MPH student at the University of Washington, focusing on social and behavioral science in the division of Health Systems and Population Health. Florence has a varied background in visual arts, homeless youth services, and public health research coordination. Florence is passionate about alleviating suffering and injustice wherever they are found.
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Joel Frank Usiri
Researcher
Joel Frank Usiri is an international student from Tanzania, currently in his second year of the MPH program in Epidemiology at the University of Washington. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Alberta, Canada, with a specialization in Global and Sustainable Development, concentrating in Economics and International Relations.
His research interests focus on monitoring and evaluating infectious diseases (HIV, TB, Hepatitis B and C), conducting cost-effectiveness analyses, and employing health systems engineering to track the progression of antimicrobial resistance.
In collaboration with PR and other institutions, including Chroma Medicine, the University of Washington Department of Nursing, the King County Department of Health, and The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Joel leverages his skills to implement transformative community-based research and cost-effective programs.
At PR, he contributes to the project "Impact of Language Barriers on Access to Services Among Congolese Immigrants in Washington State.". His goal is to provide the most vulnerable populations with equal opportunities to lead healthy, disease-free lives and to enhance data management and integration infrastructure.
Read MoreSher Mehryar
Project Coordinator
Sher Mehryar is a journalist living in the United States. He has worked for years as both an editor and journalist with the well-known news agency Etilaatroz. Interested in the complexities of the Middle East, he has dedicated his career to journalism and research. Currently, he serves as a project coordinator with PR, contributing to debates and analysis on human rights and other regional dynamics.
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Yuhan
Researcher
Yuhan is a recent MPH graduate in health services from the University of Washington. As an international researcher from Taiwan, she has an undergraduate background in public health, finance, and international business. Her recent research focuses on how health insurance affects the retired population's health and assets. Also, she previously worked on helping homecare workers improve their well-being and financial stability.
Currently, she works as a researcher with PR, collaborating with a team of researchers on the "Survey of the Ukrainian Immigrants in Washington State." Yuhan is passionate about health services research, the aging population, and health economics.
Read MoreNicole
Senior Research Fellow
Nicole was born and raised in Northern California. While living in California she began exploring the research world after obtaining her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and worked at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. After some time, she moved to Indiana where she completed her medical school training and the first 3 years of her General Surgery Residency. Since that time, Nicole has returned to the West Coast, and currently serves as one of the Seattle Children's Pediatric Surgery Research Fellows. In conjunction with her surgical pursuits, Nicole is very passionate about global surgery, health equity, and gender equity. Due to her different interests and passions, she is also currently enrolled at the University of Washington and is pursuing her MPH. As a Senior Research Fellow at PR, she is currently working on a research project titled “Exploring Employment Barriers and Their Impact on Refugee Health Among Afghan Immigrants in Washington.”
Outside of research and work, Nicole can be found swimming, hiking, traveling, and exploring the city of Seattle. She is also excited to be training to complete her first triathlon this coming April.
Read MoreShalom
Researcher
Shalom is an MPH graduate student specializing in Health Systems & Policy at the University of Washington, where she also earned her undergraduate degree in Public Health - Global Health. With a strong background in health services policy analysis, legislative support, and community program management, she is committed to addressing healthcare access issues among marginalized communities, particularly African descent immigrants.
Currently, Shalom is working as a Legislative & Policy Analysis Intern at the University of Washington’s Office of Planning & Budgeting, where she is refining her skills in policy planning and legislative processes. In addition, she serves as a researcher at PR, contributing to the project titled “Impact of Language Barriers on Access to Services Among Congolese Immigrants in Washington State.” Her research interests include healthcare access, health & housing policy, and health insurance barriers, with a focus on developing community-centered evidence-based solutions to address disparities in these areas.
Outside of her professional work, Shalom enjoys diving into a good book, catching up on the latest reality TV shows, and exploring new destinations through travel. These activities not only provide a balance to her work but also fuel her creativity and broaden her understanding of different cultures and perspectives.
Read MorePR’ Transition Story
Contact Us
+1(206) 613-9926 | info@prresearch.us
Address: Porsesh Policy Research Institute PO Box #68338, Seatac, WA 98168
Office Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm Sat-Sun: ClosedFollow Us
