Iyad is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Economics and Cognitive Science, with a focus on behavioral economics. He is particularly interested in how biological and psychological processes influence irrational decision-making in markets, and how cognitive insights can help shape more human-centered, bias-aware policies. Iyad was raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where his Malay-Muslim background shaped his appreciation for cultural pride and fuels his drive to support visibility for others.
Iyad joined the SNF Paideia Fellowship to deepen his ability to engage in civic-minded dialogue in pursuit of his goal to become a diplomat. Having transitioned from competitive debate to diplomacy-focused communication, he sees dialogue as the practice of acknowledging multiple truths in complex conversations.
At Penn, Iyad is President of Malaysians @ Penn, working to foster belonging among the growing Malaysian student community while encouraging collaboration with other cultural groups. He is also a Section Director for the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project and performs with Stimulus Children’s Theatre, engaging youth both through mentorship and the arts.