Irwin Cotler Fellows 2023-2024

Akman Sofuoğlu, Turkey, is an MA student in the Security and Diplomacy Program at Tel Aviv University. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Global and International Affairs, awarded from SUNY Binghamton University (New York) and Middle East Technical University (Ankara). Although his primary focus lies within the fields of security and diplomacy, Akman has a profound interest in social movement theories and human rights due to his multidisciplinary educational background.

Andrew Taszreak, United States, is an MA student in the Cyber Politics and Government program at Tel Aviv University. He holds a BS in Public Health with a minor in Latino/a Studies from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He was previously involved in research investigating healthcare access and technological disparities within the Latino community and feels passionately about promoting equity and fostering multiculturalism.

Annamaria Balogh, Hungary, is an MA student in the Environmental Studies Program at Tel Aviv University. She is a lawyer with a Juris Doctor degree from Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest) dedicated to ensuring access to justice in environmental cases. Her professional background in nature conservation inspires her to research the power structures and the social aspects of environmental conflicts and advocate for interspecies justice.

Ari Spielman, United States, is an MA student in the Environmental Studies program at Tel Aviv University. He holds a BA in Political Science from SUNY University at Albany. He is a film documentarian and former radio host. His most recent career position was as a researcher at the New York State
Assembly. He has interned for the foreign relations department of the Federation of Israeli
Chambers of Commerce. In addition, he was a Government Advocacy Fellow at the Simon
Wiesenthal Center. He is the current Corporate Liaison and a policy advisor for the NGO,
Tuesdays for Trash. He intends on pursuing a career in climate and water diplomacy as well as
green business.

Claudia Michiels, Belgium, is currently pursuing her second master’s degree in Conflict Resolution at Tel Aviv University. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in European Studies from Maastricht University in the Netherlands before completing an MA in Security and Diplomacy at Tel Aviv University last year. Claudia also gained valuable experience through an internship at the Belgian Embassy in Israel. Her aspirations lie in the fields of diplomacy and foreign service, driven by her passion for human rights, justice, and international relations.

Dacha Azelmad, Morocco, is an MA student in the Security and Diplomacy Program at Tel Aviv University. Dacha earned her bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in law at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Last year, she attended Reichman University in Herzliya as an exchange student and interned at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism.

Gülsen Aşam, Turkey, is an MA student in the Security and Diplomacy Program at Tel Aviv University. She holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations from Marmara University with a strong academic focus on human rights issues related to immigration, children, and ethnic minorities. She is particularly devoted to advancing the rights of women and children in challenging environments. Previously, she was an intern at the Organization of Turkic States, TUBITAK SAGE, and TIKA, and served as a Digital Campaign Specialist at TRT World Citizen, the philanthropic arm of Turkey’s national broadcaster.

João Albuquerque Reis, Portugal, is an MA student in Conflict Resolution and Mediation at Tel Aviv University. He has a Bachelor’s in Economics from Nova SBE, Lisbon, and a deep interest in international development and human rights. He has worked for numerous NGOs in Lisboa, the Azores Islands, São Tomé, and Tel Aviv. João’s internship at the UNFPA office in Geneva significantly shaped his views and focus on what he hopes to do in the future.

Joshua G. Cardenas, United States, is a candidate for the Master of Disaster Management (M.DM.) Program at Tel Aviv University. He holds a BA in International Studies with a concentration in Development and Security from the University of North Texas. Joshua has diverse experience in the global health, safety, and security fields.

Julie Jakobsgaard, Denmark, is pursuing her MA in the Security and Diplomacy Program at Tel Aviv University. Prior to her graduate education, Julie earned her undergraduate degree in Language and International Studies with a concentration in Diaspora and Post-Diaspora Studies from Aalborg University. She has previously worked in the Danish Parliament, focusing on the policymaking process and legislation.

Markus McCraith, New Zealand and Austria, is an MA student in the Conflict Resolution and Mediation Program at Tel Aviv University. Markus recently completed a BA in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. In Wellington, Markus worked as a support worker for individuals with disabilities and completed a research internship at the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, working with historical artifacts. He aspires to work in foreign affairs and diplomacy.

Mrinal Kashyap, India, is a post-doctoral fellow at the Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences
Department at Tel Aviv University.

Veronica Pana Igube, Nigeria, is a lawyer and an LLM candidate in the Parasol Foundation International LL.M. Program at Tel Aviv University. She holds an LL.B. from the University of Abuja, Nigeria. While at Tel Aviv University, her studies focus on technology and law, and her research interests include digital rights, artificial intelligence, and intellectual property.