Shows
Working ScientistWhy I study trauma's genetic legacyRana Dajani studies epigenetics of trauma in vulnerable communities around the world. A molecular biologist based at the Hashemite University in Zarqa, Jordan, her research explores what genes are turned on and off through trauma and if they are transferred to future generations.In the second episode of an eight-part podcast series to accompany Nature's Changemakers in science Q&A series, collection, Dajani, a daughter of refugees, talks about some formative influences and how she now collaborates with Jordan’s Circassian and Chechen populations, who were violently evicted from their homelands almost two hundred years ago. “I had a...
2025-07-1418 min
The ADDAThe Inheritance of Trauma: Genetics, Resilience & Decolonising Victimhood with Dr. Rana Dajani | Ep. 14What if trauma carries a hidden gift; biological adaptability for future generations?Join host Deepa Mirchandani and guest Dr. Rana Dajani as they unpack a ground‑breaking epigenetic study on three generations of Syrian women and discuss why decolonising science starts with decolonising our own minds.This conversation is from one of our Group ADDA sessions and in it we share Deepa’s conversation with Dr. Rana and also snapshots of the rich group discussion that followed. We had participants from India, Kenya, the USA, Spain and the UK and what ensued was lively and heartfelt.We hope...
2025-06-1253 min
The ADDAThe Inheritance of Trauma: Genetics, Resilience & Decolonising Victimhood with Dr. Rana Dajani | Ep. 14What if trauma carries a hidden gift; biological adaptability for future generations?Join host Deepa Mirchandani and guest Dr. Rana Dajani as they unpack a ground‑breaking epigenetic study on three generations of Syrian women and discuss why decolonising science starts with decolonising our own minds.This conversation is from one of our Group ADDA sessions and in it we share Deepa’s conversation with Dr. Rana and also snapshots of the rich group discussion that followed. We had participants from India, Kenya, the USA, Spain and the UK and what ensued was lively and heartfelt.We hope you...
2025-06-1253 min
The ADDAThe Inheritance of Trauma: Resilience & Decolonising Victimhood with Dr. Rana Dajani | Ep. 14What if trauma carries a hidden gift; biological adaptability for future generations?Join host Deepa Mirchandani and guest Dr. Rana Dajani as they unpack a ground‑breaking epigenetic study on three generations of Syrian women and discuss why decolonising science starts with decolonising our own minds.This conversation is from one of our Group ADDA sessions and in it we share Deepa’s conversation with Dr. Rana and also snapshots of the rich group discussion that followed. We had participants from India, Kenya, the USA, Spain and the UK and what ensued was live...
2025-06-1253 min
The Science of Turning Back TimeHealing Through Generations: The Epigenetics of Trauma with Dr. Rana DajaniCan trauma be inherited? And if so, can we heal what we didn’t experience directly?In this powerful and hopeful episode, I’m joined by internationally renowned molecular biologist Dr. Rana Dajani—Chen Yidan Global Fellow at Harvard - whose groundbreaking 2025 study confirms something many of us have long suspected: that trauma can leave a biological imprint not only on us, but on generations to come.We explore how trauma in our mothers and grandmothers can affect our physical and mental health, longevity, and even how we age—through the emerging science of epigenetics. From Syr...
2025-04-2940 min
Embracing Only: Workplace Culture & Career Development for BIPOC LeadersIM10: How to Redefine Success in a Male-Centric World with Dr. Rana DajaniEpisode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 45, with guest, Dr. Rana Dajani. It’s time to reimagine what success means, particularly in workplaces that were not designed with women in mind. Dr. Rana Dijani is a molecular cell biologist professor and one of the world's leading Muslim women scientists. In addition to this, Rana is specifically interested in raising the health, education, and societal status of women and children in the Arab world. Her goal is to help shape our future world.
2024-11-0813 min
Profound ConversationsExamining Global Leadership and EthicsModern democracy requires people who can think critically, reason ethically, and participate effectively. Successful organizations must be populated by people who understand group processes and how to guide them while maintaining the proper respect for all participants. Ethical leadership thrives when it is directed by respect for ethical beliefs and values and for the dignity and rights of all people. As we move further into the twenty first century what will global leadership need to embody in order to effectively grapple with the vexing challenges of climate change, earth population density, biodiversity, science, technology and the social-political-economic realities of...
2024-11-0459 min
Positive Leadership9 Lessons of Positive Leadership: Lesson 9 - Building ChangePositive Leadership starts with yourself and moves outwards in a ripple effect, building momentum and driving change as it goes.In the final lesson of the 9 Powers of Positive Leadership series, JP considers the point where the ripple is at its widest, and your actions impact the greatest number of people. Featuring insights from Bill Drayton, Paul Polman, and Rana Dajani, this episode is about building change at scale.If this is your first time joining, head back to Lesson 1 and work your way from there! And you can catch up on the conversations with...
2024-05-0107 min
Positive Leadership9 Powers of Positive Leadership - Lesson 8: Finding Your Way Into ImpactIt takes courage to stand for something, to go beyond yourself in service of people and the planetIn Lesson 8 of the 9 Powers of Positive Leadership, JP shares practical tips to help you develop your purpose mindset and find your way into impact from three positive leaders who know what this takes, Akhtar Badshah, Jacqueline Novogratz, and Indra Nooyi - listen now! If you haven't listened already, you can catch up on JP's conversations with this week's featured guests in full here:Akhtar Badshah: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/9512920-activating-purpose-mindsets-with-akhtar-badshahJacqueline Novogratz: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/14404175...
2024-04-1706 min
Islamisches Zentrum München's Podcast13.6 Prof. Dr. Rana Dajani - Inspiring storys in researching, dealing and healing from TraumaSend us a textIt was a great honor to have a lecture by Prof. Dajani delivered at our center. She is a distinguished researcher in the field of Molecular Biology, a global thought leader, and a social entrepreneur.In this lecture, she covers her inspiring journey of researching stress, trauma, and neglect, and how she countered them and found ways to grow and heal.The questions in the middle of the lecture were cut out, as they can be understood out of context. The Q&A session was abruptly ended by the...
2024-03-171h 35
Mazungumzo - African Scholarly ConversationsSN 2 EP 1 : Beyond the borders: Dr. Rana Dajani`s journey in Global Innovation and LiteracySeason 2 Premiere: We begin the second season of Mazungumzo- African Scholarly Conversations, by taking an explorative journey into Dr. Rana Dajani`s work and life. Driven by a deep commitment to literacy and women empowerment in STEM, she has taken on various key roles that are part of her dedication. Her resilience and strive to go on with her passion for science led to her undertaking her PhD studies in the United States. Dr. Rana has a strong dedication to fostering a culture of reading in children through her initiative, "We Love Reading," that opens up children to the...
2023-10-1240 min
Grandma Magic: A podcast from the Grandmother CollectiveRana Dajani: From Scientist to ChangemakerIn this episode, we hear from Dr. Rana Dajani, who tells about her changemaking journey to found the award winning, Jordanian-based non-profit, We Love Reading. Tune in to hear how Rana started her organization and what she's discovered about the process of deciding how to make change. Inspired by matriarchal figures, Rana hopes to impart the same values and wisdom as she embarks on a new grandmother journey.
2023-05-3132 min
Think. Debate. Inspire. A Podcast of the Robert Bosch AcademyDennis Shirley and Rana Dajani talk about education, identity and wellbeingIn this special episode of "Think. Debate. Inspire." Henry Alt-Haaker speaks with Dennis Shirley, a professor for Education and Rana Dajani, a molecular biologist. The conversation focuses on various aspects of education, the interconnection between reading, identity and wellbeing.References:We Love reading: https://welovereading.org/ ;Sophie's World: https://www.amazon.de/Sophies-World-History-Philosophy-Classics/dp/0374530718 ;Not ideas about the thing, but the thing itself by Wallace Stevens: https://poets.org/poem/not-ideas-about-thing-thing-itself;The Rights of the Reader by Danielle Pinnock: https://www.amazon.de/Rights-Reader-Daniel-Pennac/dp/1406300918 ;Rio...
2023-05-2647 min
World Bank | The Development PodcastSpring Meetings 2023: Toward a New EraThe 2023 World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings took place from April 10-16, amidst a backdrop of challenges: from stress in the banking sector, persistent inflation, rising debt, climate change and of course Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Addressing this instability, and looking to a future free from poverty, was at the heart of the discussions which involved dozens of contributors from across the globe.In this latest episode of The Development Podcast, we draw on some of the highlights from that week, hearing from various speakers who attended our events and how they look to tackle some of...
2023-04-2823 min
Palestine DebriefRana Nazzal: Research, Human Rights, Art and ActivismIn this episode, we’re joined by Rana Nazzal, a Palestinian-Canadian artist living between Palestine, Ottawa and Toronto. Among other things, Rana’s powerful art explores Palestinians’ relationship with the land, and the themes of Palestinian memory and loss. In addition to her art, she is also an activist and campaigner on grassroots issues including not only Palestinian human rights, but also climate change, Indigenous rights, and more. Join us as we talk to Rana about her art, and how it’s an expression and extension of her activist roots and passion. And Rafeef Dajani joins ATPC to co-host...
2023-02-1450 min
Positive LeadershipThriving Through Reading (with Rana Dajani)Every human has potential. But every human needs trust and confidence to fulfil it.In JP’s latest Positive Leadership podcast, he is joined by Dr. Rana Dajani, a world leading research scientist and founder of We Love Reading, an NGO which has established more than 4,000 libraries across the world.Rana’s mission is to embody what she calls, the “I can” mindset, through the power of reading, to ensure everyone thrives, not just survives.Listen now, and don’t forget to subscribe.Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership...
2023-02-0137 min
How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, GiveTaking Small Steps to Cause a Ripple-Effect of Change with Professor Rana DajaniWhen you start to do simple things every day that make an impact, those things will start to add up and cause a ripple effect to make a larger, more impactful change. This week’s episode 46 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about taking small steps to cause a ripple effect of change!In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Rana Dajani share the importance of fostering the curiosity to continue learning, exploring, and growing in everything we do and actionable steps you can take right now to take responsibility for the ch...
2023-01-0433 min
Roots of Reality#92 Evolution and Islam with Dr. Rana DajaniIn this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann talks with biologist Dr. Rana Dajani about the compatibility between Islam and evolution.
2022-10-2933 min
NYUAD InstituteEpigenetics: The Immortal Kiss of Our GrandparentsAs humans, we have evolved and survived because we are curious and critical thinkers. How do these traits shape our lives and science, and lead us to understand the world around us? Epigenetics, a new area of science, is the weaving of our genetics and environment that shape who we are. This talk explores the impact of trauma and war on our bodies and what we can do about it.
Speakers
Rana Dajani, Zuzana Simoniova Cmelikova International Scholar, University of Richmond; Rita Hauser Fellow, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University; Professor of Molecular Cell Biology, Hashemite University
2022-05-3158 minEmbracing Only: Workplace Culture & Career Development for BIPOC LeadersEpisode 45: Inspiring Stories from Diverse Women - Becoming The World's Leading Arab Scientist with Dr. Rana DajaniBringing you inspiring stories from diverse women who have challenged the status quo and inspired workplace culture transformation is what Embracing "Only" is all about. In this episode, co-host Olivia Cream engages with Dr. Rana Dajani, a prolific scientist and social entrepreneur. She shares with us her journey to becoming the world's leading Arab scientist. We discuss how to combat bias when migrating to a different culture, gender disparities in STEM, and assumptions we all make that impact the world around us. About Embracing "ONLY" Welcome to Embracing Only, the podcast d...
2022-05-2449 min
The Ansari PodcastE32: The Theory of Evolution & Islam | Adam/Eve | Epigenetics | w. Molecular Biologist Dr. Rana DajaniThe Ansari Podcast: Mahmoud Elansary and Dr. Rana Dajani Discuss whether or not Evolution and Islam conflict on a fundamental level. Dr. Rana Dajani defines Evolution and then Explains how it fits into Islam. Dr. Rana Dajani clears up many of the misconceptions surrounding Evolution and Islam. How Muslims can believe in Evolution and the story of Adam and Eve at the same time. They talk about how evolution and the story of Adam and Eve in Islam don't conflict. Dr. Rana Dajani proposed a different look at the Quran where we do not use it as a book...
2022-01-031h 23
Learning Unboxed108. Doing the Impossible & Changing Mindsets Through Reading with Rana DajaniRana Dajani is a worldwide advocate, and research scientist. She holds a PhD in molecular cell biology, has received many accolades and recognitions around the world, has participated in the Clinton Global Initiative, is on The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program from Jordan to the United States, and so much more. She is also the author of “Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible,” an exploration of the intersections between gender, race, religion, and science, told through the eyes of one of the world’s leading Muslim, women scientists. Every woman or educator deserves to read it. She’s seeking a paradigm shift in...
2021-06-0741 minLearning Unboxed108. Doing the Impossible & Changing Mindsets Through Reading with Rana DajaniRana Dajani is a worldwide advocate, and research scientist. She holds a PhD in molecular cell biology, has received many accolades and recognitions around the world, has participated in the Clinton Global Initiative, is on The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program from Jordan to the United States, and so much more. She is also the author of “Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible,” an exploration of the intersections between gender, race, religion, and science, told through the eyes of one of the world’s leading Muslim, women scientists. Every woman or educator deserves to read it. She’s seeking a paradigm shift in...
2021-06-0741 min
Science JournalDemocratizing Science: Scientific Communication in the age of Covid-19In this collaborative episode with the Not Your Daily Stories, Nadia and Roja interview Molecular Biologist Dr. Rana Dajani about how science should be communicated with the rest of society. They explore with Dr. Dajani the effective ways of communicating science with society while also highlighting how the coverage of other important diseases has been impacted by the saturation of Covid-19 news in media.
2021-05-2731 min
Bilbao Kultura Social ForumRana Dajani, We Love Reading Project "Seeing what everyone sees but thinking what no one has thought"Day 10. "See what everyone else sees but think what no one has thought about".
"We don't know what the future of education will look like. But what we can do is make sure that children are motivated to want to learn. And that's what we call educational resilience. Helping kids love to read and become lifelong readers and lifelong learners, ready to face whatever the world has in store for them in the future."
Rana Dajani. We Love Reading Project. Founder & Director.
Discover more at www.fsforum.online
2021-05-1110 min
PeacemindedlyTerror and Hope: The Science of Resilience, A Movie About How Syrian Kids in Refugee Camps Develop HappinessRon Bourke, filmmaker exploring issues of displacement, education, and healthcare directed Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience. He features Rana Dajani, scientist, world expert in genetics and founder of We Love Reading Project, as well as other other experts to learn about how Syrian children's not only cope with terror in refugee camps, but to create resilience and happiness.Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience offers a unique window into the impact of war on children through the work of an international team of scientists led by Yale University working closely with Mercy Corps' team...
2021-03-1848 min
PeacemindedlyTerror and Hope: The Science of ResilienceRon Bourke, filmmaker exploring issues of displacement, education, and healthcare directed Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience. He features Rana Dajani, scientist, world expert in genetics and founder of We Love Reading Project, as well as other other experts to learn about how Syrian children's not only cope with terror in refugee camps, but to create resilience and happiness. Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience offers a unique window into the impact of war on children through the work of an international team of scientists led by Yale University working closely with Mercy Corps' team...
2021-03-1748 min
Heroes Without CapesGetting Children To Read with Dr. Rana Dajani : Episode 2"Reading is to the brain, what exercise is to the body", Dr. Rana Dajani, who is a molecular biologist by profession, agrees. But getting children to read nowadays is becoming quite a task. And with the advent of addictive mobile games and Netflix, it is getting increasingly difficult. But look no further because it seems Dr. Dajani has found the answer. Listen now to know her ingenious but effective method that is making waves around the world !
2020-10-0119 min
When Women WinRana Dajani: Stem Cells, Success & Reading For PleasureMy two favorite quotes were: “Who do you think you are, you’re just a drop in the ocean…”. Her reply: “what is the ocean but millions of drops?” “Reading for fun is so important…. For the development of cognitive skills, for the imagination, for learning about other people, so that you’re more empathetic and better at communication” You can find Rana at her website https://welovereading.org/ or on Twitter as @Prof_RanaDajani or @welovereading. And this is Rana’s book Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible - If We Can Reverse Cell Fate, Why Can't We Redefine S...
2020-03-2338 minفنجان مع عبدالرحمن أبومالح133: الحياة بمسطرة رجلد. رنا الدجاني، بروفيسورة الأحياء المتخصصة في بيولوجيا الخلية، وواحدة من عشرين عالمة مؤثرة على العالم العربي والإسلامي، في مجال العلوم. تلبس يوميًا 5 أوشحة: ”أم، معلمة، عالمة، رائدة اجتماعية، مدافعة عن حقوق المرأة ولإنسان“، وتؤمن بأن النجاح له عدد من الأشكال، والأوجه، والمتغييرات.
في بداية الثمانينات، درست في الجامعة الهاشمية الأردنية، بعد أن كانت جزءًا من عائلة و“ثمانية“ بنات أخريات، تربوا على قوّة الشخصية، ووضوح الاختيارات، وأهمية العلوم، وبدون تلفاز. انتقلت لأميركا لاحقًا وهي أم، بثلاث أطفال، وتحمل الرابع في شهرها التاسع، بعد أن تقاعد زوجها مبكرًا، لتحصل هي على الدكتوراة من جامعة آيوا، وتتابع مسيرتها نحو الشغف، والعلم.
عادت للأردن، وها هي الآن مستشارة للمجلس الأعلى للعلوم والتكنولوجيا في الأردن، وتشرف على مختبر من أهم مختبرات المنطقة، ينشر أبحاثًا علمية في أعرق المجلات العلمية، بأبحاث علمية تتعلق بالأنثروبولوجيا الاجتماعية والثقافية لمنطقتنا العربية، مثل تأثير الحروب على جينات الإنسان [السوريين مثلًا]، والجينات المعزولة للشيشان في الأردن.
تحدثت عن إعادة تعريفها لنجاح المرأة، بعد أن استطاع الإنسان أن يعكس مصير الخليّة. عن الممارسات الغربية والنظرة الدونية التي تقصي المرأة من المجال المهني، مثل تجميد البويضات، وعدم تصميم أُطر العمل لتناسب احتياجاتها.
تحدثت عن العلم، والإسلام، والقرآن، ونظرية التطور التي لا تتعارض مع أيًا منهما، حتّى أن أحدهم كتب مرةً: ”د.رنا الدجاني كانت أشجع من الكثير ولم تخفي موافقتها لنظرية التطور وأدت أمانتها العلمية والأخلاقية المهنية والدينية“.
وأخيرًا، كونها مهتمة بالخدمة المجتمعية، بدأت صفوفًا تقرأ فيها الكتب لأولاد حارتها داخل المسجد، في مبادرة لحب القراءة، حتّى انتقلت الفكرة لـ 50 دولة أخرى، و 730 حكواتي، وآلاف الأطفال، داخل مسجد، كنيسة، مخيم لاجئين، تحت شجرة، أو في المنزل. حازت الفكرة بعلى جائزة اليونسكو لمحو الأمية (2017).
تستطيع أن تستمع للحلقة من خلال تطبيقات البودكاست على هاتف المحمول. نرشّح الاستماع للبودكاست عبر تطبيق Apple Podcasts على iPhone، وتطبيق Google Podcasts على أندوريد.
ويهمنا معرفة رأيكم عن الحلقات، وتقييمك للبودكاست على iTunes. وتستطيع أن تقترح ضيفًا لبودكاست فنجان بمراسلتنا على: abumalih@thmanyah.com.
Links:
@Prof_RanaDajani — حساب الدكتورة على تويتر
Rana Dajani, PhD — صفحة الدكتورة على Scholars at Harvard
Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible — محاضرة: "إذا استطعنا عكس مصير الخلية، فلماذا لا نستطيع إعادة تعريف النجاح للمرأة؟" في هارفرد
Islam and Evolution: Is there a controversy — محاضرة: "الإسلام والتطور"
منظمة نحن نحب القراءة
For Refugee Children, Reading Helps Heal Trauma — مقالة النيويورك تايمز عن المنظمة
ماذا لو كان لشكسبير أختٌ؟ — مقالة على ثمانية تناقش الظروف التاريخية والاجتماعية للمرأة
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2019-04-281h 18
The Story ExchangeThe Happiness of ReadingAfter a stint in the U.S., molecular biologist Rana Dajani returned to Jordan and noticed children didn't read for pleasure. "It's not a habit," she says. The literacy rate is high -- everybody knows how to read and write -- but nobody was opening a book for the simple joy of it. And that's problem, says Dajani, who studied the science behind it and found a surprising connection between reading and happiness. When a parent or a caregiver reads aloud to a child, the neurons in the brain start figuring out “hey this reading stuff is very soothing.” As a...
2018-11-2716 min
To The Best Of Our KnowledgeThe Art of Reading (Updated)It used to be easy to get lost in a good book, but now lots of people say reading is boring. Scientists say all that skimming and surfing on electronic screens is actually rewiring our brains. So we examine the new science of reading, and meet celebrated New Yorker book critic James Wood. Also, Jordanian scientist Rana Dajani tells the remarkable story of how she started a reading program for kids at her local mosque, which has spread to hundreds of libraries across the Middle East. And Princeton historian Tony Grafton uncovers the history of reading by looking in...
2017-03-2651 min
How to Discover Full Audiobook in Radio & TV, Great InterviewsTo the Best of Our Knowledge: The Art of Reading (Updated) by Jim Fleming | Free AudiobookListen to full audiobooks for free on :https://hotaudiobook.com/freeTitle: To the Best of Our Knowledge: The Art of Reading (Updated)
Author: Jim Fleming
Narrator: Jim Fleming
Format: Original Recording
Length: 51 mins
Language: English
Release date: 05-11-16
Publisher: Wisconsin Public Radio (To the Best of Our Knowledge)
Genres: Radio & TV, Great Interviews
Summary:
It used to be easy to get lost in a good book, but now lots of people say reading is boring. Scientists say all that skimming and surfing on electronic screens is actually rewiring our brains. So we examine the new science of reading, and...
2016-05-1151 min
How to Discover Full Audiobook in Radio & TV, Great InterviewsTo the Best of Our Knowledge: The Art of Reading by Jim Fleming | Free AudiobookListen to full audiobooks for free on :https://hotaudiobook.com/freeTitle: To the Best of Our Knowledge: The Art of Reading
Author: Jim Fleming
Narrator: Jim Fleming
Format: Original Recording
Length: 51 mins
Language: English
Release date: 07-29-15
Publisher: Wisconsin Public Radio (To the Best of Our Knowledge)
Genres: Radio & TV, Great Interviews
Summary:
It used to be easy to get lost in a good book, but now lots of people say reading is boring. Scientists say all that skimming and surfing on electronic screens is actually rewiring our brains. So we examine the new science of reading, and meet...
2015-07-2951 min
To The Best Of Our KnowledgeThe Art of ReadingIt used to be easy to get lost in a good book, but now lots of people say reading is boring. Scientists say all that skimming and surfing on electronic screens is actually rewiring our brains. So we examine the new science of reading, and meet celebrated New Yorker book critic James Wood. Also, Jordanian scientist Rana Dajani tells the remarkable story of how she started a reading program for kids at her local mosque, which has spread to hundreds of libraries across the Middle East. And Princeton historian Tony Grafton uncovers the history of reading by looking in...
2015-07-2651 min
Faraday Institute LecturesIslam and Evolution: Is there a controversy?Lecture given by Dr Rana Dajani, February 2015
2015-02-261h 09