Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
A native of Detroit and twenty-year resident of Egypt (1990-2010), with a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Pennsylvania (2008), I am a writer, analyst of Middle East politics and media, teacher of Arabic language and Middle Eastern culture, Arabic-English translator, editor (text and acquisitions), manager, researcher and public speaker. My principal project is a biography of Egyptian 1988 Nobel laureate in literature Naguib Mahfouz, seven of whose books I have translated, along with numerous stories by him and other Arab writers. (My doctoral research also included extensive readings in Egyptology.) Former Assistant Professor of Arabic and Middle East Studies at Drew University (2010/11) and Guggenheim Fellow (2007), my articles and translations have appeared in Archaeology Odyssey, The Financial Times, Foreign Policy Magazine, Foreign Policy Research Institute (E-Notes), Fox News Opinion, Harper's Magazine, International Herald Tribune, Journal of Arabic Literature, London Magazine, Massachusetts Review (for which I guest-edited a special Egypt issue), Pajamas Media, Turath: Egypt's Heritage Review, Zoetrope: All-Story, and many other venues. I am also a musician and an actor. As a musician (using voice and guitar, specializing in Irish, folk, folk rock, country and classic rock, sometimes appearing as Ray Stock), I have performed in clubs all over Cairo and in Dahab and Luxor, as well as in Tours, France and many locations in the U.S. As an actor, I have appeared in a scripted role in a film shot in Luxor for the BBC ("The Curse of Tutankhamun," 2005), in numerous skits created by Ahmed Seddik at the Sawy Cultural Wheel (2008-10), in various other productions going back to high school, and as an extra in films by Milad Bessada ("Search for Diana," 1993) and Michal Goldman ("A Voice Like Egypt," 1996). Specialties: Writing; Middle East political and media analysis (Middle East); Arabic-English translation; teaching (Arabic literature/language and Middle East culture); editing (text and acquisitions); management; research; public speaking; with an additional background in Egyptology. Also musical performance (vocals with guitar) and acting. Fluent in Arabic and French, have studied Persian; read Italian.
Teaching Arabic language starting in academic year 2015/2016, at the Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. Promoted to Senior Instructor effective August 15, 2021.
Shillman-Ginsburg Fellow (August 1, 2012- December 2018). Awarded (initially without application) in recognition of my work as a writer on Middle East affairs. Appointed Writing Fellow in January 2019.
For unique online Web 2.0 crowd-sourcing consultancy, taking part (periodically, on a voluntary basis) in simulations of potential Middle East and related events with fellow analysts around the globe: http://www.wikistrat.com/ Inactive since 2014.
Researching and writing the first full-length biography of Egyptian 1988 Nobel Laureate in Literature Naguib Mahfouz (1911-2006) in any language, and the first of a contemporary Muslim Middle Eastern writer produced by a major Western publisher. Work began under former Editor-in-Chief/Executive Editor/Vice-President John A. Glusman. Since 2006 it has continued under Senior Editor Paul Elie (until early 2012), followed by new Senior Editor Alexander Star. Six months of field research in Egypt prior to my enrollment for doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania in September 1992—which endured (with brief interruptions) until August 2010, when I returned to the U.S. to teach at Drew University. The late Mr. Mahfouz cooperated in the project until his death at age 94.
Taught Arabic language and Middle Eastern literature in translation at an elite liberal arts school located in Madison, New Jersey (near New York City) in the Department of German, Russian, Chinese and Arabic. Additional title: Coordinator of the Arabic Program. One year appointment (Fall 2010 through Spring 2011).