PORSESH POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PR) is an independent, non-profit, community-centered research institute based in Washington, dedicated to producing fact-based analyses that drive impactful interventions, programs and solutions. Committed to impartiality, PR employs a human-centered design approach, emphasizing the value of contextualized knowledge to better serve underserved communities and vulnerable populations.

Founded in 2022 in Washington, PR was established with a vision of a world where no one’s dignity or rights are compromised in social decision-making and service delivery due to misinformation, disinformation, or a lack of systematic and factual information. Today, PR remains steadfast in its mission to deliver evidence-based insights that inform policies, programs, and services to tackle critical challenges.

PR’s work focuses on five core areas:

Action-Oriented Research for Informed Decision-Making: Conducting rigorous research to guide policies and programs that promote positive change.

Professional Training: Equipping individuals and organizations with skills and knowledge in our areas of expertise to enhance their professional impact.

Civic Engagement and Data-Driven Advocacy: Promoting social justice and equity through, events and advocacy initiatives grounded in robust data and on the ground perspective.

Expert Consultancy: Providing specialized consultancy in areas where PR holds deep expertise.

Immigrant Integration Services: Supporting immigrant communities with comprehensive integration services for successful adaptation and empowerment.

Meet our 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.

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.

Ehsan Shayegan

Founder & President

Ehsan, born in war-torn Afghanistan, was forced to migrate at the age of 10 due to the persecution of his ethnic community under Taliban rule—an experience that ignited his lifelong passion for driving positive change. With over a decade of experience in community-centered research and data generation across South Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and the United States, he has dedicated his career to amplifying marginalized voices through data-driven solutions.

As the leader of a diverse team at Porsesh Policy Research Institute (PR), Ehsan spearheads research and initiatives that harness data for social impact. He has collaborated with various local, regional, and global institutions and is passionate about working at the intersection of society, human-centered technology, and disparities in digital access, data, and technology.

Hassan 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.

Perla 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.

Mohammad 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.

Mohammad Naweed Hesan

Designer & Creative Professional

Mohammad Naweed Hesan is a skilled designer and creative professional specializing in branding, 3D design, and video editing. He currently oversees video editing projects for the Porsesh Policy Research Institute and serves as a Senior Graphic Designer at Belize Blue Nutrients. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with businesses and startups such as AAVA, Noorbig Charity Foundation, BooBee Cafe, and LuminEdge IT Solutions, helping them craft impactful designs and strong brand identities. Naweed also leads a team dedicated to providing professional mockups and branding solutions, empowering startups, and businesses to establish a compelling visual presence.

Fahim 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.

Dr. 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.

Florence (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.

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.

Sher 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.

Nicole

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.

Shalom

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.

Anna Erickson

Researcher

Anna Erickson is a MPH graduate student at the University of Washington specializing in Environmental Health Sciences. She earned her bachelor’s degrees from Lehigh University with a dual degree in Community and Global Health and Earth and Environmental sciences and a minor in Indigenous People’s Health. Trained in community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods, she wants to empower communities to create meaningful, lasting change. Her current research interests are disaster risk and reduction, sustainable communities, and environmental justice. Outside of professional work, Anna enjoys scuba diving, rock hounding, and fishing around WA state.

Tasi Jones

Researcher

Tåsi Jones is an MPH graduate student specializing in Social & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. She has a background in project management, clinical support, and mixed-methods research. Before graduate school, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Policy and worked on social impact initiatives at a law firm during the day while supporting a volunteer-run community clinic in the evenings.

Samira khan

System & Community Navigator

Passionate about community engagement, Samira Khan serves as a Community and System Navigator at the Porsesh Policy Research Institute, helping immigrant communities understand and navigate public services while connecting them with local resources in King County and beyond. She holds an associate degree in English literature and has dedicated her time to empowering the communities. Her experience includes working with several nonprofit organizations as a program coordinator and youth mentor. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and online gaming.

Hussain Rezai

Research Fellow

Hussain Rezai is a researcher and human rights advocate. He is the founder and director of the Najiba Foundation, a memorial organization dedicated to promoting education in Afghanistan. He recently completed the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratization at the Global Campus of Human Rights in Venice, Italy. Previously, he was a fellow with the Afghanistan Scholars and Students at Risk Project, where he contributed to the Global Campus blog, analyzing the human rights landscape in Afghanistan. With over a decade of experience in research, governance, education, and human rights, his current work focuses on the intersection of human rights and emerging technologies.