Soolmaz Abooali, Incoming S-CAR Ph.D. Student
Soolmaz Abooali is part of an exciting class of Fall 2012 Ph.D. students joining the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She brings a unique perspective to the program, as she is a very accomplished amateur athlete. This is evident in her being a seven-time U.S. National Champion and a World Silver Medalist in Shotokan Karate, a traditional style of martial arts.
Soolmaz is no stranger to the dynamics of conflict. After the Islamic revolution in Iran, she became a refugee from a very young age. Having spent some time in various locations like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Canada, Soolmaz and her family eventually came to settle in the United States.
Like many people who are forced to relo- cate to a totally different culture, she had to navigate and rise above various internal conflicts. She had to develop an identity that would fit her new surroundings and at the same time complement her Iranian heritage. As she stated, “karate put me in the position to constantly self-evaluate under pressure-cooker situations, such as identifying my strengths and weaknesses, my goals, and who I want to be. Because of this type of training—and thus evolution—I was able to better navigate through and overcome challenging periods in my life.”
One of her role models is Miyamoto Musashi, a famous Japanese swordsman whose sharp skills, desire for excellence, and vision made him an accomplished warrior and statesman. Those same values, she stated, “drive me to have big dreams and persist, like bees to honey, until I achieve them.” She hopes she can contribute in an innovative way to conflict resolution by utilizing the martial arts in a “mind, body, spirit” approach that empowers others in conflict settings. Ultimately, she hopes her experiences and evolving research at SCAR will help chart a unique and dynamic course of action for women in conflict around the world.