"Web Profiles"
Mini-Series to Debut On-Line
The
Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is launching an on-line
video mini-series, highlighting the accomplishments and compelling personal
stories of high-profile Iranian Americans.
"Many Iranian Americans
have achieved tremendous success in business, science, technology, law,
academics, media, and the arts. Their stories are fitting to share with all
Americans," said PAAIA Executive Director Babak
Hoghooghi. "We are proud to showcase these talented
individuals who comprise our community and contribute so much to American
society."
The first PAAIA profile features
Firouz Naderi,
Ph.D., a NASA rocket scientist tapped to redesign the Mars Exploration Program
after it suffered two consecutive failures. Dr. Naderi forever cemented his
place in space history as one of the main architects to lead the Mars Program
through four subsequent successful space craft launches, between 2000 and 2005,
which also included the historic landings of the Mars Rovers Spirit and
Opportunity. You can view the first installment of
"Profiles of Iranian Americans" now
at paaia.org.
"It is now more
important than ever to present positive images of Iranian Americans who are
striving to make this country and world a better place,"
said former CNN anchor Rudi Bakhtiar, who is producing the series.
"I'm
very excited about the way these profiles have turned out. It's
unlike anything you've seen out there. In the YouTube
and Facebook world we live in, I think these self-narrated biographies will
really catch fire with the youth," Bakhtiar said.
Successive profiles will provide mini-biographies
of equally prominent Iranian Americans, such as Dr. Pardis Sabeti, a 32-year-old
Harvard professor, Rhodes Scholar and rock band lead-singer, who was recently
named by CNN as one of eight geniuses who will change our lives. Also included
in the first five of the "Iranian Americans"
series: Google Vice President Omid Kordestani, comedian/actor Maz Jobrani, and
former world record holding swimmer Leila Vaziri.
"We hope that these
biographies will inspire young Americans not only to pursue their dreams, but
also to give back to America, as this great country has given to them,"
Hoghooghi concluded.
The Profiles of Iranian Americans is co-produced
by Rudi Bakhtiar and BoomGen Studios, and is directed by Mahyad Tousi. The
Profile of Dr. Firouz Naderi has been made possible by the generous contribution
of Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani.
Go to
paaia.org to
learn more about The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans.
Note to Editors: More on Firouz Naderi can be
found at NASA's web site:
... Payvand News - 09/30/08 ... --
