Noora Alansaari
Summary
Experienced research and program management professional specializing in AI innovation within industry, primarily focused on pre-award activities and strategic grant procurement. Possesses strong proficiency in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills, fostering innovative partnerships and driving research excellence. Committed to maintaining high standards of ethics and professionalism while enabling impactful research initiatives and securing funding from government, industry, and NGO sources.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Govt. & NGO Fund Acquisition Specialist
MBZUAI
Abu Dhabi
05.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded strategic engagement initiatives between academic research teams and industry stakeholders, driving the development of innovative AI-driven solutions to address specific industry challenges.
- Led comprehensive needs assessments and facilitated customized collaborations to align academic expertise with emerging industry requirements, fostering impactful innovation.
- Acted as the primary liaison to identify and cultivate opportunities for technological innovation and deployment of AI solutions.
- Proactively secured diverse funding streams through the development of compelling proposals, establishing partnerships with government agencies and NGOs to acquire grants and sponsorships supporting cutting-edge AI research.
- Focused on maximizing research impact via strategic program development, stakeholder engagement, and effective resource management, translating innovative ideas into practical, industry-ready solutions.
Strategic Program Manager
Sandooq Al Watan
Abu Dhabi
09.2020 - 04.2023
- Fostered strategic relationships with external stakeholders and industry partners to secure financial sponsorships and collaborative opportunities, enhancing research capacity and societal impact.
- Negotiated and formalized partnership agreements to facilitate knowledge exchange, joint research initiatives, and co-funding arrangements aligned with organizational strategic goals.
- Acted as the primary interface between research teams and external stakeholders, translating strategic priorities into actionable research programs and ensuring stakeholder expectations were met.
- Evaluated project performance and impact, providing strategic guidance for ongoing and future initiatives, and reporting progress to senior leadership and funding bodies.
Senior Grants Specialist
NYU Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
01.2017 - 09.2020
- Oversee the post award administration of NYUAD’s research portfolio including all research programs, center grants, start-up funds, Provostial Research Enhancement Funds, and other competitive grants
- Collaborated regularly with the Pre-Award team and Office of Sponsered Project - NYU New York, for seamless execution of external sponsored research grants and contracts
- Served as the team lead for external sponsored research grants and sponsored research reporting – but not limited to invoicing, timely internal/external report delivery & progress reports, award compliance, revenue reconciliation, award close out
- Prepared annual and final project financial reports and complete the close-out process
Grants Specialist
NYU Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Responsible for central and project-level financial management and administration of annual research grants
- Liaised with international federal agencies including but not limited to, US Department of State, Henry Luce Foundation, National Institutes of Health, to ensure fiscal and program compliance
- Developing annual and multi-year grant budgets for new projects as part of Hyperion budget planning
- Successfully researched and identified new funding opportunities and built partnerships
- Consistently improved process efficiencies, using Cayuse Grants Management System, to track and review grant schedules, timelines and costs
Education
Masters of Science - International Public Policy
University of London
London2023
Bachelor of Business Administration - Business Accounting
Higher Colleges of Technology
Abu Dhabi2013
Certification
- MIT Sloan & MIT CSAIL Program - 2024: Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy
- Certificate of MBA Essentials - 2020, London School of Economics & Political Sciences
- Certified Internal Auditor - 2018, Institute for Internal Audit
Honors & Awards
- Certificate of Academic Excellence - 2013
- Certificate of Achievement: Sustainable Solutions to Global Economic Challenges - 2011
Volunteer
Habitat for Humanity, India - 2013
Languages
Arabic
Native language
English
Master or proficient
C2
Timeline
Senior Govt. & NGO Fund Acquisition Specialist
MBZUAI
05.2023 - Current
Strategic Program Manager
Sandooq Al Watan
09.2020 - 04.2023
Senior Grants Specialist
NYU Abu Dhabi
01.2017 - 09.2020
Grants Specialist
NYU Abu Dhabi
01.2015 - 01.2017
Masters of Science - International Public Policy
University of London
Bachelor of Business Administration - Business Accounting
Higher Colleges of Technology
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