Rana Dajani is a professor of molecular biology at the Hashemite University, Jordan. Her area of expertise is epigenetics and biomarkers of trauma among refugees. Through her leadership, she has introduced national and regional stem cell laws and presided over numerous scientific boards and United Nations councils, most recently as the President of the Society for the Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab World. Visiting professor at Harvard, Yale, MIT and Cambridge. A tireless supporter of building indigenous research capabilities in the developing world and creating a mentoring program to support women scholars in STEM that was recognized by the National Academy of Sciences.
Rana is a social entrepreneur and global thought leader. She is the founder of We Love Reading, a grassroots initiative to create changemakers in underserved communities by fostering a lifelong love of reading. A recipient of the UNESCO International Literacy Prize, We Love Reading has spread to over 60 countries. Rana has also been recognized as a Fulbright, Eisenhower, Ashoka and Yale Morse Fellow. On the list of the 100 most influential Arab Women and receiving the Jacobs social entrepreneur award, Nansen UNHCR refugee award and the Schwab Social Entrepreneur Award.