Hey yall! I’m Nashwa Zafar, a graduate student pursuing a Master's in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California, with a deep-rooted passion for cybersecurity, mental health advocacy, and fostering safe digital and communal spaces. I’ve spent my career navigating the intersections of technology and ethics, and I’m particularly focused on addressing unconscious and algorithmic biases embedded in modern systems. My background in cybersecurity, combined with my commitment to destigmatizing mental health within underrepresented communities, positions me to drive meaningful change. My goal is to integrate technical expertise with human-centered practices to build technologies that prioritize inclusivity and empathy. I'm passionate about contributing to mental wellness initiatives through Islamic ethics, helping to create conversations around emotional and moral intelligence. I believe my experiences in both tech and community-building make me an ideal candidate to continue these efforts while deepening my academic research in applied psychology.

• Director, Writer, Producer

  LSC · Theatre

  2006 – Present

• Reader

  Volunteering · MYPI

  2023 – Present

  Mission:

  Helping Afghan Refugee Kids With Reading