RESEARCH
My research spans a diverse range of projects—from theoretical explorations of syntax and morphology to applied systems for social media analysis and language learning. This page highlights the core areas of my research and the questions that drive my work.
Check out the Publications page for presentations and papers on these topics.
Computational Model of Language
My current research centers on building computational models of language that combine the insights of formal linguistic theory with the power of large language models (LLMs). Specifically, I draw on a compositional approach rooted in Distributed Morphology to develop systems that model the underlying structure of complex predicates, event semantics, and morphological processes. This work bridges symbolic and neural paradigms—aiming to make LLMs more interpretable, linguistically grounded, and adaptable to low-resource and morphologically rich languages.
Social Media Analytics
My research in social media analytics explores how language is used across platforms to express emotion, ideology, and social tension. Focusing on both English and Persian content, I’ve developed NLP tools to detect hate speech, toxicity, sentiment, and emerging topics in blogs and Twitter data. I also analyze how information spreads across social networks, with applications in countering online radicalization and supporting public well-being.
Narrative Analytics
I develop systems that can automatically extract and interpret the structure of narratives—who did what, when, where, and why. This research supports timeline generation, event detection, and narrative understanding across domains such as media, healthcare, and criminal justice. From tracking life events in documents to identifying health risks or analyzing media bias, narrative analytics helps uncover deeper patterns in unstructured data.
Scientometrics & Research Analytics
In the field of scientometrics, I apply computational and network analysis techniques to study scientific research itself. My work examines how ideas evolve, how researchers connect, and how influence flows through academic networks. Using bibliometrics, knowledge graphs, and NLP, I uncover trends in fields like linguistics and synthetic biology to support science policy, funding decisions, and innovation mapping.
Persian NLP
With decades of experience in Persian computational linguistics, I’ve contributed foundational resources and tools for processing Persian text, including segmentation, morphology, parsing, and sentiment analysis. My work also bridges NLP with social media, ideology detection, and language teaching. Current projects include building Persian narrative analysis systems and AI-powered tools to support learners and teachers in the classroom.
Complex Predicates & Syntactic Theory
I investigate how verbs and verb-like constructions convey complex meanings in Persian and Armenian. My research focuses on light verbs, morphologically derived predicates, and causative constructions—analyzing how syntax and semantics interact in these systems. This work contributes to linguistic theory and supports better language processing tools for the analysis of Complex Predicates.
Pedagogical Linguistics & AI for Language Learning
Blending formal linguistics, AI, and language pedagogy, I design data-driven tools and curricula for teaching Persian. My approach centers on integrating real-world texts, NLP-based feedback, and linguistic theory into language instruction—especially for heritage speakers. I aim to build intelligent educational systems that help learners grasp deeper structural and cultural patterns of the language.