About me

Currently, I work as a Researcher in Machine Translation Quality Estimation and Evaluation, Department of Computing, Imperial College London, looking at methods to improve translation quality using human input.

I hold a PhD in Translation Studies (University College London), an MSc in Translation and Computer Assisted Translation Tools (Heriot-Watt University), a BA in English Language and Literature (Damascus University) and a Diploma in Arabic Language Teaching.

My PhD project involved interdisciplinary research across Translation Studies, Computer Science and Natural Language Processing with industrial impact in tool development and user-experience. My research interests include human-machine interaction and their wider applications, translation pedagogy, didactics in H.E. and intercultural healthcare training. In particular, I am interested in finding innovative technology-enhanced solutions for

I have led/contributed to several EU/UK funded cross-disciplinary projects focusing on the linguistic integration of adult refugees and refugee doctors in Europe and the UK as well as addressing current international challenges with the aim to facilitate multilingual communications in crisis and emergency settings.

Previously, I have held research and teaching positions at various institutions in the UK (UCL, LSE, Surrey) and Syria (Damascus University). Since 2013, I have been working as a freelance translator and creative reviewer/editor as well as a trainer of English and Arabic translation, providing specialised training courses on Translation Technologies as well as Legal and Medical Translation in Europe and the Middle East.

Education

2014-2019: PhD in Translation Studies, University College London, United Kingdom

Thesis: ''Training Translators on Open-source MT Technology: An Empirical Assessment of Learning using a Task-based Syllabus''.

2012-2013: MSc in English-Arabic Translation and Computer-Assisted Translation Tools, Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom

Dissertation: ''A Text-Based Assessment of the Quality of Online English-Arabic Machine Translation via Reading Comprehension Test''.

2004-2008: BA in English Language and Literature, Damascus University, Syria.

2002-2004: Certificate of Associated Bachelor of Teacher Qualifications Specialization of Arabic Language, Intermediate Institute for Teachers Training, Syria.

Work Experience

Research Positions

2020-Present: Researcher in Machine Translation Quality Evaluation and Estimation - Imperial College London.

2019-2020: Research Fellow in Translation/Interpreting Technologies and Natural Language Processing – University of Surrey.

2019-2020: Research Fellow in Translation Technologies and Crisis Translation – University College London (UCL).

2018-2019: Research Assistant - London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Teaching Positions

2018-2019: Postgraduate Teaching Assistant – On-site software support - UCL.

2016-2017: Tutor – English-Arabic Medical Translation Module - MSc in Specialised Translation – UCL.

2010-2011: Teaching Assistant - English as a Second Language – Damascus University.

2010-2011: Teaching Assistant - Computer-Aided Translation tools - Damascus University.

2004-2010: Teacher of Arabic, Ministry of Education, Syria.

As part of these positions, I have supervised Master’s students, invigilated and marked UG and MA’s students’ exams and projects.

Expertise and Strengths

Strengths and Skills

Research, analysis and critical thinking skills.
Work confidently within a group & Adaptable to different work environments.
Excellent presentation skills and leadership and management abilities.

Languages

English: Full professional proficiency (C2, European Framework of Languages)

Arabic: Native

Software: Computer Assisted Translation Tools

· Machine Translation and Computer-assisted Translation Tools

SMT Software, language modelling, and working with Linux
SDL Trados Studio 2009 & 2011
Open-source software packages: Moses SMT and OmegaT

· Subtitling Tools: Subtitling Workshop, VideoPad by NCH Software & WinCAPS

· Reference management tool: Endnote & Zotero

· Data analysis Tools: NVivo Software

· General IT Skills: Ms Office package (Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and Access); ICDL certificate.

Achievements and Awards

2011-15 Full Scholarship from University of Damascus to do a Master’s and PhD in Translation Technologies in the UK.

2018 Bursary to attend the ''1st World Congress on migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health'' conference, Edinburgh, UK.

2018 Bursary to attend the IATIS Hong Kong conference.

2017-18 Recipient of the UCL Grand Challenges Small Grants which stimulates new cross-disciplinary collaborations between researchers from different academic units.

2016 Recipient of Funds for Women Graduates’ grant (FfWG).

2014 Bursary to attend ‘Machine Translation Marathon’ in Trento, Italy.

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