SANNIA ABDULLAH CLOSE (Ph.D.)
Hello!
Thank you for stopping by. I am [pronounced as] SAAN-EEA. I'm an author, podcaster, informed citizen, and a wife.
I LOVE road trips; if it was possible to drive to the moon, I would drive to the moon instead of flying. I am a curious soul, always eager to learn and embrace new challenges. My passion for continuous growth drives me to explore diverse fields and expand my knowledge.
Three lessons of my life: 1) Life is the law of exchange; we get what we give! 3) What we resist, Persists! 3) Faith is not about everything turning out okay; it's about being okay no matter how things turn out.
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Academic Profile
Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family' —Kofi Annan
I bring over twelve years of experience studying military strategy, armed conflicts, and crisis behaviors, with a specific focus on how states can learn to avoid military confrontation. My ongoing book manuscript explores strategies to prevent a nuclear holocaust, contributing to scholarly debates on global security.
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I began my academic career in January 2011 as a faculty member at the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan. This role provided invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth, from teaching to mentoring future leaders. After relocating to the U.S., I focused on research through prestigious fellowships, and my work has been published in several peer-reviewed academic journals.
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My research has reached a broad range of audiences, from academic settings to high-level government institutions such as the USAFA and the Pentagon. Over the years, I participated in multiple Track-II dialogues and war-gaming exercises, gaining critical experience in decision-making, escalation control, and crisis management.
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Fellowships and Research Centers
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Cooperative Monitoring Center, Sandia National Labs: Visiting Fellow (2016-2017, 2018-2019)
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Nonproliferation Fellow, CNS Monterey, CA
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Stanton Nuclear Postdoctoral Fellow, CISAC, Stanford University
These fellowships have deepened my expertise in nuclear security and nonproliferation, allowing me to engage with top professionals and institutions in the field.
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In addition to my academic work, I host the podcast 'Women with Ambition,' where I interview inspiring women to share their journeys. The podcast is available on Apple, Google, and Spotify, and aims to highlight the achievements of women across various industries.
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In addition to publishing, I am passionate about exploring digital platforms and leveraging AI to integrate interdisciplinary approaches, driving innovative solutions to everyday challenges.