Our Team

Padideh Alai
 

Padideh Ala’i

Director, Humphrey Fellowship Program

Padideh Ala’i is a Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law (WCL). She specializes in international economic law, law of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and comparative legal traditions. She teaches international trade law and comparative law. Professor Alai’s scholarship has concentrated on the history of free trade, transparency obligations of the WTO and their implications on internal domestic transparency, universalizing the administrative state through the multilateral trading system, as well as good governance and evolution of international anti-corruption norms.

Her recent publications include Research Handbook on Transparency (eds. with Robert Vaughn, Edward Elgar Publishing), “Transparency in International Economic Relations and the Role of the WTO” in Research Handbook on Transparency (with Matthew D’Orsi, Edward Elgar Publishing), “Climate Change Innovation, Products and Services Under the GATT/WTO System” in Research Handbook on Intellectual Property and Climate Change (with David Gantz, Edward Elgar Publishing), and “Civil Consequences of Corruption in International Commercial Contracts” in American Journal of Comparative Law.

Karin Edwards
 

KARIN EDWARDS

Assistant Director, Humphrey Fellowship Program

Karin Edwards is the Assistant Director of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. In this capacity, she manages the Humphrey Fellowship Program and oversees its daily operations. Prior to joining AUWCL, she worked as a Student Affairs Professional within the Office of the Dean of Students at American University.  Before that, Ms. Edwards worked as a Fellow for the English Language Program at the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and served as a Peace Corps TEFL Instructor in Chongqing, China.  Karin is a graduate of American University School of International Studies and adjunct Professor at School of Education. She has worked extensively with youth and adult learners through non-profit ESL/literacy programs. She enjoys walking trails, traveling and learning about other cultures.

 
 
WASIL QAZIZADA
 

WASIL QAZIZADA

Program Assistant, Humphrey fellowship program

Wasil Qazizada is a graduate of American University of Afghanistan, where he earned his bachelor degree in Law. With a decent academic background and a passion for International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, he joined AUWCL as a LL.M. Candidate in January, 2023 to pursue a master degree in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.   

Moreover, during his time at American University of Afghanistan, he demonstrated key skills through both academic, and extracurricular achievements. He was involved in Afghanistan’s victim law project, and was established by Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. Throughout his time at AIHRC, he developed certain legal research, leadership and communication skills. Moreover, he was one of the participants of the SAARC regional moot court competition, where he went the extra step in his legal career. He is enthusiastic to apply these skills, and further provide professional services as a student graduate assistant to Humphry Fellowship Program.