DUET Fellows

Abrar is a student at the University of Oklahoma, where she is majoring in mechanical engineering.  She is originally from Egypt and has a strong interest in the intersection between AI and mechanical engineering, namely in the areas of automation, and machine learning.  She likes outdoor activities such as biking and mountain climbing. She also spent nine years playing field hockey in Egypt and Italy, where she gained a deep respect for discipline and collaboration.

 Because she appreciates the relationships that education creates between students and instructors, Abrar is thrilled to be a DUET Student Fellow.  She values interactive teaching strategies, particularly project-based learning, and thinks that practical experiences help students grasp difficult ideas more deeply.  She aspires to learn fresh viewpoints on successful teaching techniques and add to conversations about enhancing college education through DUET.

Amer Ahalouch is an international student from Brussels, Belgium. He is pursuing a bachelor of science in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Oklahoma and graduating in 2027. He is a United World College Alumni and a UWC Davis Scholar. He just returned from a semester abroad in Arezzo, Italy. He is a laureate of Boost for Talent and the King Baudoin Foundation of Belgium. He has been a SEED (Sooner Engineering Education) Ambassador for K-12 outreach. He was also an intramural student official for the Athletic Department and is currently a student-athlete tutor. He is honored to become a DUET Student Fellow and to join the fantastic team.

Amer was looking forward to contributing positively to the education of his peers. As a DUET Student Fellow, he found the opportunity to reduce the gap between facts and students. He was raised in a multicultural neighborhood where people came from around the world. Moreover, he moved alone at sixteen to study in an international school in New Mexico. He has gained different cultural insights and a diverse vision of education. He plans to use his experience to share it with his peers and the faculty so that they can also use it as an example to improve the relationships between faculty and students.

Anayat Yousuf, from the picturesque region of Kashmir in the Himalayas, is currently a student at the University of Oklahoma. He is a member of class of 2027 and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology on a Pre-medicine track. Anayat is a Davis UWC Scholar and a proud alumnus of UWC Robert Bosch College Germany. Beyond his academic endeavors, he holds the position of President at M.Y. Educational Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Kashmir. This organization, inspired by his parents, aims to assist educationally disadvantaged students. In addition, Anayat serves as the General Secretary of “The United World” organization at OU, an initiative grounded in UWC values and mission. He is also an avid cricket player, a seasoned traveler having visited 11 different countries, and a lover of cooking, with a particular fondness for spicy recipes such as Biryani and kashmiri Wazwan.

As a Spring 2024 DUET Student Fellow, Anayat is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the educational community. He believes in the importance of building relationships between students and faculty. Anayat sees the DUET program as a platform to bring about change and innovation in education.

Besma Sidi is studying Management Information Systems and Accounting, with an expected graduation in May 2027. She is originally from Western Sahara and is exploring her interests in business technology and related areas. Beyond her studies, she enjoys being outdoors, especially hiking, walking, and playing volleyball.

As a DUET Student Fellow, Besma looks forward to growing through new learning experiences and contributing to the academic community. She believes education is a powerful and diverse journey, and she is passionate about being part of that process. Her aim is to help create opportunities that inspire curiosity and support lifelong learning.

Fabrice Kouassi is a Mechanical Engineering and Honors student at the University of Oklahoma with an expected graduation date of May 2028. Born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire, his academic foundation has been shaped by his education at the United World College Maastricht, in the Netherlands. Outside of the DUET program. Fabrice is really interested in engineering design, renewable energy, and mentorship. He’s currently working on obtaining a certificate for SolidWorks to a certificate in CAD SolidWorks to improve his technical design skills.

Fabrice is enthusiastic about being a DUET Student Fellow because I would like to facilitate the interaction between students and teachers. His experience as a Peer Teaching Assistant in the Fall 25 has taught him the importance of having an environment where students feel supported. This is because such environments enable students to thrive and have a good academic experience. As a result, Fabrice is committed to collaborate not only with faculty but also students in order to improve the teaching practices and strengthen the academic community at OU.

Layla Williams hails from the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. She received her B.A. from East Tennessee State University and her M.A. from OU. She is currently a PhD student and teaching assistant in the Philosophy Department, with a primary research interest in social epistemology. Layla is also an Alumni Fellow. In addition to academic pursuits, she is the VCPRO of the OU Integrity Council and coaches the OU Ethics Bowl team. The Integrity Council endeavors to protect the integrity and value of the OU degree. Ethics Bowl is a competitive speech event which centers philosophical analysis and ethical reasoning. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate, she advocates for children who are in state care. Layla loves sports and is a passionate Newcastle United supporter.

Layla is exited to participate in the DUET Fellows program. As a TA, she actively seeks out opportunities to improve as an instructor and engage meaningfully with students. As a student, she’s experienced different environments in the classroom and wants to support all faculty in developing an inclusive, supportive environment for their students. She recognizes the importance of collaboration between students and faculty for creating healthy and rigorous academic communities. She firmly believes that a supportive, welcoming academic environment goes a long way toward fostering success in students and faculty.  She is looking forward to learning from her DUET Student Fellow peers and Faculty Fellows. She hopes her experiences and background can help bridge the gap between students and faculty (graduate TAs often get stranded in that gap!)

Mariela Hernandez Toba is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma, with a minor in Geographic Information Systems and a certificate in Sustainable Energy Systems; she is expected to graduate in 2026. She is a UWC Davis Scholar and attended the United World College of South East Asia in Singapore. Mariela enjoys working with environmental data, particularly through remote sensing, exploring new places, and spending time outdoors. At OU, she serves as the Chair of the Education Committee for Green Week, supporting sustainability education and campus engagement. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and hosting game nights with friends.

Mariela is interested in participating as a DUET Student Fellow because she wants to improve student learning experiences at the University of Oklahoma. She values continual improvement in education and is particularly interested in collaborating with faculty to better understand teaching and learning through multiple perspectives. Through DUET, Mariela hopes to strengthen relationships between students and instructors and gain insight into effective teaching practices. She views engaging with courses from a different perspective as a way to support faculty while continuing to grow as a learner and future professional.

Marscella Ling — who goes by Mars — is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Oklahoma, double-majoring in Political Science and Environmental Studies, with plans to graduate in Spring 2029. Born and raised in Malaysia, she is deeply passionate about public policy, particularly in developing equitable and high-quality education systems for all. Her commitment to political engagement and educational empowerment led her to join the United World College (UWC) movement, where she was awarded a full scholarship to pursue the International Baccalaureate at UWC Changshu, China, for 18 months. Beyond academics, Marscella enjoys performing arts such as theatre and live music, and dedicates her time to volunteering in grassroots initiatives that address global challenges within local communities. During her breaks, she loves traveling and connecting with diverse communities to deepen her understanding of the world, believing that effective public policy must be grounded in the lived experiences of the people it serves.

As a DUET Student Fellow, she believes that effective education stems from teaching practices centered on students’ learning experiences. She is passionate about bridging the gap between how teachers teach and how students learn through meaningful, two-way feedback. Through DUET, she hopes to help educators refine their pedagogical approaches by fostering greater intentionality, direction, and vision.

Nadia Segunda, from Angola and a member of the class of 2026 at the University of Oklahoma, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Enterprise Studies. Her academic journey is enriched by her global perspective, shaped by her experience at the United World College of Southern Africa. Nadia actively participates in student organizations on campus, demonstrating her commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.

As a DUET Student Fellow, Nadia is driven by her passion for enhancing teaching and learning practices at the University of Oklahoma. She aims to help bridge the gap between students and faculty by promoting a sense of belonging within the university community. Through this role, Nadia hopes to contribute to creating a more inclusive and effective learning environment, where all students can thrive academically and personally.

Rodoshi Razia Islam is an Economics major in the Price College of Business, Class of 2029.  Born and raised in Bangladesh, she graduated from United World College Mostar with the cohort of 2025.  Rodoshi is enthusiastic about storytelling in all forms of media and loves craft projects of any kind.

Rodoshi experienced different curricula and teaching styles, which led to her interest in empowering student perspective in the classroom.  She joined DUET because she believes that a great teacher can change a student's perspective, essentially altering the trajectory of their life, as she has experienced herself.