Graduates of Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and Claremont School of Theology (CST) who wrote a PhD dissertation, MA thesis, or book in an area of Coptic studies or a transdisciplinary field that includes a Coptology component. (Claremont Graduate School (CGS) is predecessor of CGU.)
Please note that the information below is not meant to be comprehensive or inclusive of all graduate publications and activities.If you are a Claremont graduate, or know of someone who wrote a dissertation/thesis on a topic related to Coptic studies, please email S. Michael Saad with information to be included on this page.
PhD Graduates
- Mary Ghattas
- Trevena Adeeb Eskandar Hanna
- Botros K. Sadek
- Edens Elveus
- Tamara L. Siuda
- Mariam Youssef
- Patricia Eshagh
- John Isaac
- Sarah Mehany Morcos
- Daniel Sharp
- Thomas Crawford
- Lisa Karnan
- Mariko Yakiyama
- Salim Faraji
- Jon Ma Asgeirsson
- Karen J. Torjesen
- James E. Goehring
- Marvin Meyer
- Charles W. Hedrick
Master’s Theses
- Jacquelene Poveromo
- Magi Hernandez
- Mary Ghattas
- Sarah Mehany
- Prinny Stephens
- Martha F. Ayoub
- Fr. Antonious Henein
PhD Graduates
Mary Ghattas (PhD, CGU, 2024)
Dissertation: “The Oriental Orthodox Communion in Modern Egypt: The Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Syrian Orthodox Churches, 1805 CE – Present”
Recent Activity: Associate Managing Editor, Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia
Trevena Adeeb Eskandar Hanna (PhD, CGU, 2020)
Dissertation: “The Power of Coptic Women Saints: Historical and Analytical Study of Coptic Women Saints as Spiritual Models for Coptic Women in the USA and Egypt”
Recent Activity: Instructor, Pharmacy Technician Program, San Joaquin Valley College, Ontario, CA
Botros K. Sadek (PhD, CGU, 2020)
Dissertation: “The Development of Auricular Confession in the Coptic Tradition: A Theological and Historical Study in the Book of Confession by Kyrillus III, Patriarch of Alexandria (+ 1243 A.D.)”
Books: Marqus ibn Qunbar’s Master and Disciple: Coptic Medieval Controversy on Auricular Confession. TSEC 35. Leiden: Brill, 2024.
Cyril ibn Laqlaq’s Book of Confession: A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation with an Introduction. TSEC 29. Leiden: Brill, 2024
Recent Activity: Associate Managing Editor, Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia
Edens Elveus (PhD, CGU, 2019)
Dissertation: “A Critical Comparative Scriptural Analysis of Genesis 1:1-5 based on Hebrew, Aramaic, Syriac, Greek, and Coptic Manuscripts”
Recent Activity: editing a devotional book meant for use by clergy and laity to be published in 2021
Tamara L. Siuda (PhD, CGU, 2019)
Dissertation: “Effective Spirits: Coptic Martyrs and Martyrology”
Books: The Complete Encyclopedia of Egyptian Deities: Gods, Goddesses, and Spirits of Ancient Egypt and Nubia. Minneapolis, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2024.
Recent Activity: Associate Managing Editor, Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia
Mariam Youssef (CGU, PhD, 2018)
Dissertation: “Silenced to Survive: Gendered Paradigms in Theologies of Survival”
Books: Gendered Paradigms in Theologies of Survival: Silenced to Survive. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2019
Patricia Eshagh (PhD, CGU, 2016)
Dissertation: “Tracing the Jesus Prayer Westward: Reaffirming Egyptian Influence on Western Monasticism in Late Antiquity”
Recent activity: Lecturer, California State University, Stanislaus; and Associate Managing Editor, Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia
John Isaac (PhD, CGU, 2015)
Dissertation: “The Influence of Social Determinants on Health-Related Outcomes, Behaviors and Decision-Making in Five African Nations: A Demographic and Health Study”
Recent activity: MD candidate at UC Riverside School of Medicine
Sarah Mehany Morcos (PhD, CGU, 2015)
Dissertation: “From Cairo to California: A Journey through the Lives and Roles of Coptic Women from Egypt to the Diaspora”
Recent Activity: Lecturer, St. Athanasius & St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School, Claremont, CA
Daniel Sharp (PhD, CGU, 2012)
Dissertation: “Early Coptic Singular Readings in the Gospel of John”
Recent Activity: Associate Professor, Religious Education, Brigham Young University, Hawaii
Thomas Crawford (Ph.D., CGU, 2011)
Dissertation: “Curating Gnosis: Discovery and the Creation of (a) Discipline”
Recent Activity: Research Associate, Institute for Signifying Scriptures, Claremont, California
Lisa Karnan (Ph.D., CGU, 2009)
Dissertation: “The Call from Beyond and the Nag Hammadi Library”
Mariko Yakiyama (Ph.D., CGU, 2007)
Dissertation: “Maximilla’s Redressing the Ignorance of Eve through Sexual Renunciation: A Comparison of the Acts of Andrew and the Writings of Clement of Alexandria”
Recent Activity: Lecturer, New Testament, Tokyo Union Theological Seminary, Tokyo, Japan
Salim Faraji (PhD, CGU, 2007)
Dissertation: “The Roots of Nubian Christianity: A Transitional Culture in Late Antique Africa: The Silko Inscription and the Temple of Kalabsha as Context”
Recent Activity: Associate Professor of Africana Studies, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Books: The Roots of Nubian Christianity Uncovered: The Triumph of The Last Pharaoh. Trenton: Africa World Press, 2012.
Jon Ma Asgeirsson (PhD, CGU, 1998)
Dissertation: “Doublets and Strata: Towards a Rhetorical Approach to the Gospel of Thomas”
Recent Activity: Professor of New Testament, University of Iceland
Karen J. Torjesen (PhD, CGS, 1982)
Dissertation: “Hermeneutical Procedure and Theological Structure in Origen’s Exegesis”
Recent Activity: Margo L. Goldsmith Professor of Women’s Studies in Religion, CGU
Books: Hermeneutical Procedure and Theological Structure in Origen’s Exegesis. Berlin: Gruyter, 1985.
James E. Goehring (PhD, CGS, 1981)
Dissertation: “The Letter of Ammon and Pachomian Monasticism”
Recent Activity: Professor of Religion, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Books: Politics, Monasticism & Miracles in Sixth Century Upper Egypt: A Critical Edition & Translation of the Coptic Texts on Abraham of Farshut. Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2012.
The World of Early Egyptian Christianity: Language, Literature, and Social Context. Edited with J. Timbie. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 2007.
Ascetics, Society, and the Desert: Studies in Early Egyptian Monasticism. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press, 1999.
The Roots of Egyptian Christianity. Edited with B.A. Pearson. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986.
Marvin Meyer (PhD, CGS, 1979)
Dissertation: “The Letter of Peter to Philip (NHC VIII,2): Text, Translation, and Commentary”
Recent Activity: Chair, Department of Religious Studies, Chapman University, Orange, CA
Books: The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The International Edition.San Francisco: Harper, 2007.
Ancient Christian Magic: Coptic Texts of Ritual Power. Edited with R. Smith. Harper, 1994.
Charles W. Hedrick (PhD, CGS, 1977)
Dissertation: “The Apocalypse of Adam: A Literary and Source Analysis”
Recent Activity: Professor Emeritus, Department of Religious Studies, Missouri State University, Springfield
Books: The Gospel of the Savior: A New Ancient Gospel. Salem: Polebridge, 1999.
Nag Hammadi Codices XI, XII, XIII. Leiden: Brill, 1990.
Master’s Theses
Jacquelene Poveromo (MA, CGU, 2014)
Thesis: “Martyrdom through the Life of Saint Mina”
Margaret “Magi” J. Madsen-Hernandez (MA, CGU, 2014)
Thesis: “Visualizing Heaven and Earth Communing: Neo-Coptic Icons of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles”
Mary Ghattas (MA, CGU, 2012)
Thesis: “Medieval Egypt and Nubia: The Coptic and Nubian Churches, 543-1372 CE”
Recent Activity: Received PhD at CGU (see above)
Sarah Mehany (MA, CGU, 2009)
Thesis: “Monastic Pachomian Rules Alive Today in Coptic Convents”
Recent Activity: Received PhD at CGU (see above)
Prinny Stephens (MA, CST, 2008)
Thesis: “Hajir Idfu and Coptic Hagiographa”
Martha F. Ayoub (MA, CST, 2007)
Thesis: “Alpha and Omega Educational Program: Knowing the Coptic Orthodox Church in Three Years.”
Recent Activity: Environmental Engineer, California Department of Transportation
Fr. Antonious Henein (MA, CGS, 1993)
Thesis: NA
Recent Activity: Archpriest, Holy Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, Los Angeles (d. 2006)