Mashaal Hooda
Research Specialist
Mashaal Hooda has an MA in Education Leadership and Management and a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Studies, both from Middlesex University. Her undergraduate research was the second-place winner in the Education and Instructional Technology category at the 8th Undergraduate Research Competition (2021). Additionally, her postgraduate research was shortlisted as the Finalist in the MDX-Post-graduate Research Competition (2023) and nominated and presented at the 10th Annual Student Research and Innovation Showcase at Middlesex University Dubai.
Mashaal has represented Middlesex University as the Research Ambassador for the Joint Student Research Symposium of Walailak University, Thailand, and Middlesex University, Dubai (2021). She has participated in academic conferences and research symposiums, including the 2nd International Conference on Technology, Innovation, and Sustainability in Business Management, Dubai, and the Sixth International Conference on Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences (2022).
Postgraduate students adapted Mashaal's research using photo-elicitation interviews to develop their research portfolios using unique qualitative research methodologies. She conducted many workshops with students to teach them methodology. Mashaal is an experienced mentor and coach and conducts online sessions for young professionals on diverse topics such as goal setting, academic resilience, and digital well-being.
In her role as a Research Specialist at the Brain and Mind Institute in Karachi, Mashaal collaboratively works on mental health and cervical cancer-related research grants with Aga Khan University's Brain and Mind Institute, the Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan and the Aga Khan University's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Her primary work involves collaborative operationalization of the qualitative component of the research arm of these projects. She conducts literature reviews and facilitates the design and development of research instruments in local languages. She also undertakes capacity building of staff, liaises with all Principal Investigators (PIs) and research stakeholders for research ethics approvals and designs, and supports the development of brain and mental health research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
