Nooralhuda Omar Sami
Ann Arbor,USA
Summary
Policy Communications Specialist with UNICEF, adept in policy analysis and community engagement. Successfully led public health interventions in conflict zones while addressing critical housing inequalities that compound health vulnerabilities among displaced populations. Proven expertise in advocating for integrated health and housing reforms, developing safety protocols for vulnerable populations, and analyzing how unstable housing conditions perpetuate health disparities. Demonstrated track record in project coordination and multi-sector stakeholder management, achieving impactful outcomes through comprehensive approaches that address both immediate health needs and underlying housing instability in challenging post-conflict environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Policy Communications Specialist
UNICEF
, Remote
01.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: International organization focused on children's rights and welfare.
- Led a public health intervention reaching over 3,000 returnees re-inhabiting bombarded homes in Gaza and South Lebanon, distributing evidence-based safety protocols on toxic exposure mitigation through clinic networks.
- Coordinated multilingual outreach translates Fallujah-based research into practical precautions for families cleaning war debris, including heavy metal exposure prevention, and safe disposal of munitions fragments.
Lead Research Assistant
War and Geos Project
, Iraq
01.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: A research project focused on displacement and housing issues in conflict zones.
- Conducted ethnographic research on housing and resettlement in 12 communities near the U.S.-occupied Balad Airbase, focusing on the needs of more than 3,500 families.
- Engaged Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment officials to advocate for policy reforms addressing health disparities among displaced populations living in inadequate housing near military installations.
Lead Research Assistant
Purdue University- Anthropology
07.2022 - Current
- Executed large-scale independent research project under guidance of Dr. Kali Rubai and Dr. Mark Griffiths, conducting radial study with soil sampling and population interviews (n=72) to map cancer clusters around Balad Airbase.
- Documented elevated cancer rates in Iraqi communities exposed to military burn pit emissions, identifying disease profiles similar to those of U.S. veterans under the PACT Act.
- Analyzed intersection of environmental contamination with systemic healthcare obstacles, revealing Iraqi civilians face similar toxic exposures but lack adequate medical support.
Environmental Justice Advocacy
Palestine Youth Movement
Detroit, Michigan
07.2019 - Current
- Conducted research on U.S. environmental militarism in Iraq and greenwashing policies in Israel, informing advocacy efforts through the Students Allied for Freedom and Equality Coalition.ity Coalition
- Led grassroots environmental justice organizing with over 2,000 participants, building coalitions with local identity-based organizations to strengthen partnerships, and expand community impact.
Research Assistant
UM INSPIRE-MSTP LINKAGE PROGRAM
Ann Arbor, Michigan
05.2023 - 05.2024
- Conducted comprehensive research on healthcare delivery systems and infrastructure resilience in post-conflict Sri Lanka, examining how prolonged conflict disrupted medical supply chains, damaged healthcare facilities, and affected provider capacity across rural and urban regions.
- Analyzed critical intersections between housing stability and health outcomes among internally displaced populations, investigating how temporary shelter conditions, overcrowding, and lack of permanent addresses created barriers to accessing preventive care and managing chronic conditions
Community Organizer
A2 Power
Ann Arbor, Michigan
05.2022 - 04.2024
- Organized over 200 community members to advocate against DTE Energy’s rate increases, resulting in three policy proposals addressing $400+ annual cost hikes.
- Built coalitions with six local organizations to strengthen advocacy efforts for energy justice.
- Coordinated logistics for public forums, workshops, rallies, demonstrations.
Housing Justice Advocate
Freedom House
Detroit, Michigan
08.2021 - 09.2023
- Assisted over 150 clients in securing stable housing, achieving an 85% success rate.
- Facilitated access to essential services for clients facing housing challenges.
- Built partnerships with local organizations to enhance advocacy efforts and resources.
- Input data to document care and service plans and needs assessments.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Medical Anthropology, Energy Science Policy
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor, MISkills
- Policy analysis
- Data analysis
- Community organizing
- Research methodology
- GIS and spatial analysis
- Climate resilience
- Energy justice
- Community engagement
- Advocacy strategies
- Project coordination
- Campaign development
- Public relations
- Stakeholder management
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Arabic
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Professional
Relevant Coursework:
Environmental Policy, Urban Energy Systems, Sustainable Development, Climate Militarism
Affiliations
Leadership: President, Undergraduate Anthropological Association | Vice President, Student Environmental Action Coalition | Co-chair, Muslim Coalition | Education Director, Students Allied for Freedom and Equality | Editor, Undergraduate Journal of Public Health
Timeline
Policy Communications Specialist
UNICEF
01.2024 - Current
Lead Research Assistant
War and Geos Project
01.2024 - Current
Research Assistant
UM INSPIRE-MSTP LINKAGE PROGRAM
05.2023 - 05.2024
Lead Research Assistant
Purdue University- Anthropology
07.2022 - Current
Community Organizer
A2 Power
05.2022 - 04.2024
Housing Justice Advocate
Freedom House
08.2021 - 09.2023
Environmental Justice Advocacy
Palestine Youth Movement
07.2019 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Medical Anthropology, Energy Science Policy
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
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