Syntax matters. So does society.
Linguist • AI Researcher
I study how the architecture of language shapes AI systems, and where current models fall short.
My work draws on syntax, semantics, and low-resource languages to bring linguistic insight into the design, behavior, and evaluation of AI, with a focus on building systems that are more robust and culturally grounded.
As founder of the Zoorna Institute for Language, AI and Society , I lead research and development at the intersection of language science, artificial intelligence, and real-world impact.
What I Work On
Language & AI Systems
Bringing insights from syntax, semantics, and linguistic structure into the design and evaluation of AI systems
Low-Resource & Multilingual AI
Developing technologies for underrepresented languages, including Persian and Armenian, with attention to cultural and structural variation
AI, Culture, and Society
Examining bias, meaning, and cultural context in AI systems, and their broader social impact
Language Learning & Heritage Contexts
Applying linguistic theory to heritage language analysis and AI-supported language education
Selected Talks & Publications
AI is Deciding Our Lives. Are Women Deciding AI?
Invited Talk
March 2026
Invited talk, FEMINNO Armenia CSW70 Parallel Event, part of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
A global virtual event contributing to the development of a Feminist AI Manifesto. The talk focused on the role of data, representation, and language in shaping AI systems, and the risks of exclusion for women and low-resource language communities.
Linguistic Data-Driven Approach to Persian Language Pedagogy: Practical Application to Compound Verbs
Book Chapter
Coming Soon.
In Persian Language Pedagogy: New Trends and Innovations. Routledge.
This chapter introduces a collaborative program of practice, which advocates for the integration of linguistic theory, formal language acquisition research, and Artificial Intelligence-driven approaches within the Persian language teaching curriculum. [book information]
We Politely Insist: Your LLM Must Learn the Persian Art of Taarof
Publication
September 2025
Empirical Methods in NLP (EMNLP). Suzhou, China.
Large language models (LLMs) struggle to navigate culturally specific communication norms, such as the Persian taarof, a social norm in Iranian interactions, limiting their effectiveness in global contexts. [read paper]
AI-enabled narrative analytics for Persian and Kurdish.
Conference Presentation
May 2025
4th North American Conference on Iranian Linguistics (NACIL4), University of Toronto Mississauga.
Presented novel methods for extracting narrative structures from multilingual texts, showcasing advances in NLP for Persian and Kurdish low-resource languages. [learn more]
My journey in AI: A perspective on the role of women in Artificial Intelligence.
Invited Talk
March 2025.
Women's History Month program, Miami-Dade College.
My personal journey through computational linguistics and AI research, highlighting the obstacles women face in the field, from microaggressions to systemic pressures that push many to leave, and inspiring new pathways for women to lead and thrive in AI.
Research Highlights
For collaboration, research inquiries, or speaking engagements, please contact me.