Dr. Dunja Sabra (née Abou-Zeid Osman)
Photo: Photo Porst
Postdoctoral Fellow
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Contact
Curriculum Vitae
Higher Education
| Sept. 2021 - Oct. 2022 | M.A. in Peace Research and Security Policy; MPS course; Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH); Master's thesis: "Impact of chemical weapons use in Syria on the governmental trust and return aspiration of Syrian refugees living in Germany"; Grade: Excellent |
| Oct. 1996 - Dec. 2000 | Ph.D. in Environmental Biotechnology; Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany; Dissertation: "Anaerobic biodegradation of natural and synthetic polyesters"; Grade: Excellent |
| Oct. 1992 - Feb. 1995 | M.Sc. in Microbiology; Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt; Master’s Thesis: "A study on heavy metal-resistant bacteria isolated from a polluted marine water samples”; no grades given. |
| Oct. 1991 - Sept. 1992 | Postgraduate studies; Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt. Grade: Excellent |
| Oct. 1986 - May 1991 | B.Sc. in Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt; Grade: §xcellent with distinction, graduated summa cum laude |
Academic and Scientific Professional Experience
| July 2022 - today | Research Associate; Interdisciplinary research group for the analysis of biological risks (INFABRI); The Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker-Centre for Science and Peace Research (ZNF) at the University of Hamburg Research activities, publication of research results, participation in meetings, symposiums, and international conferences, preparation of project applications, and acquisition of third-party funds. |
| Oct. 2024 - March 2025 | Project Manager: Biotechnology and artificial Intelligence: Risks of research about safety and proliferation of biological weapons; https://www.tab-beim-bundestag.de/english/4457.php (announcement only in German) |
| Oct. 2023 - today | Project: Synthetic biological weapons - Assesment of biosecurity in the conjunction of synthetic biology and new/innovative technologies; https://bundesstiftung-friedensforschung.de/blog/synthetische-biowaffen/ |
| July 2022 - June 2023 | Project: Biological Dangers: Analysis and integrated assessment of risks (BIGAUGE); https://www.znf.uni-hamburg.de/forschung-de/ehemalige-projekte/biowaffen--und-ruestungskontrolle/bigauge.html |
| Feb. 2003 - May 2018 | Assistant Professor (permanent position) at Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt; Co-Project Manager of the research project entitled: "Metabolic flux distribution and process optimization of the pharmaceutically important poly-mannuronic polymer” funded by the program “National Strategy for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering”, Egypt. Executive team member in the project "Enhancement of Practical Skills of Botany, Microbiology and Biochemistry Students" funded by the "Higher Education Enhancement Project Fund" |
| Feb. 2003 - Oct. 2007 |
Academic supervision: 1 doctoral student (Ph.D.) 6 master’s students (6 M.Sc.) |
| March 1996 - Dec. 2000 | Guest researcher and Ph.D. Guest researcher and doctoral DAAD scholarship holder at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) (former GBF) |
| Apr. 1995 - Feb. 2003 | Assistant Lecturer in Microbiology (permanent position) at Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt; Participation in the development of the curriculum and implementation of the teaching as well as the grading of all written examinations including the final examination, supervision of the laboratory courses, and student supervision |
| Dec. 1991 - Apr. 1993 | Assistant in Microbiology (permanent position) at Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt; Implementation of laboratory exercises and student support |
Non-Academic Professional Experience
| Jan. 2011 - today | Keynote speaker and Advisor for intercultural communication and competence (freelance self-employed) For different organizations and institutions, e.g., VHS, AWO, IHK, IBB, LEB, Fabi, Diakonie, amfn e. V., communities, municipalities, authorities, Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Technical University Hamburg, Bavarian Ministry of Economic affairs, Regional Development and Energy, schools, daycare centers, clubs, police, etc. |
| Feb. 2003-May 2018 | Adult education lecturer (freelance self-employed) AWO District Association Stade: Low-threshold seminar measures for the integration of foreign women (women's courses); IHK Stade: Certification course language mediator ("Community Interpreting", "Practical exercises, translation, and interpreting techniques", and "Experience migration, integration, and discrimination"); Fabi and LEB Lower Saxony: Certification course for intercultural competence |
| Oct. 2008-Apr. 2022 |
Interpreter and translator (freelance) (German ↔ Arabic; English ↔ Arabic; German ↔ English) |
Academic Awards
| Oct. 2022 | Award for the best Master's thesis of the academic year 2021/2022; University of Hamburg Cooperation Network for Peace Research and Security Policy, Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH). |
| Oct. 2021 - Sept. 2022 | Recipient of the scholarship “Deutschland-Stipendium” from the Federal Ministry of Sept. 2022 Education and Research and the University of Hamburg. |
| Oct. 1996 - Dec. 2000 | Recipient of a grant from DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)/Ph.D.-scholarship in Germany. |
| Dec. 1991 | Award for highest “B.Sc. Degree” score of the Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt for the academic year 1990/1991 |
Non-Academic Awards
| For conceptualizing, managing and implementing voluntary projects to promote intercultural coexistence and education: | |
| 2019 | Nationwide competition "Active for Democracy and Tolerance 2019" |
| 2015 | Lions Integration Award, LIONS CLUB DISTRICT 111 NB 2015 |
| 2014 | Nationwide competition "Active for Democracy and Tolerance 2014" |
| 2012 |
Main Research
"As a microbiologist, environmental biotechnologist, and peace researcher with intercultural, and multilingual interests, I pursue a multi-perspective approach to my transdisciplinary focus on biosecurity and high-risk technologies, biological weapons control and peace research.
I am also an expert for intercultural competence aiming at a peaceful world and a society that values an "inclusive WE".
My greatest passions lie in research and teaching, where I always keep an eye on the big picture. With optimism and perseverance, I analyze, build bridges, and act responsibly for a future-oriented and better world"