Program Manager, ASU Global Development Mabdalla@asu.edu

Mohamed Abdalla a current doctorial candidate in Behavioral Health, has managed the Global Development Research program (GDR) since its launch in 2014. Through the GDR Program, he works to create a space for dialogue and learning across diverse perspectives, reflecting on development research, collaboration and the generation of new actions towards local and international community engagement and social transformation. In his role, Mohamed continues to empower and build sustainable capacity and networks among Fellows, partner Universities, USAID, and the international community, in particular host countries prioritized by USAID. As of 2018, he led a team of 70 GDR Scholars, impacting 24 countries across the globe contributing to all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development goals. During his tenure at ASU, he co-founded Heal International, a non for profit organization that works with people living with HIV/AIDS both at the local and international level. He has promoted educational and health outreach programs based on World Health Organization curriculum for communities in Kenya and Tanzania. While in Tanzania, he worked to promote social entrepreneurship by collaborating with African villagers and businesses to increase their profits, part of which were donated to local orphanages for medical treatment of children affected by HIV and other comorbid diseases. His work built a foundation for future development by empowering the community to continue the program even long after his departure.