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

Master’s Theses

PhD Graduates

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Trevena Adeeb Eskandar Hanna (PhD, CGU, 2020)

Trevena Adeeb Eskandar Hanna

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

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Botros K. Sadek (PhD, CGU, 2020)

Botros Sadek

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.)”
Recent Activity: Associate Managing Editor, Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia

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Edens Elveus (PhD, CGU, 2019)

Edens Elveus

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

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Tamara L. Siuda (PhD, CGU, 2019)

Tamara L. Siuda

Dissertation: “Effective Spirits: Coptic Martyrs and Martyrology”
Recent Activity: Associate Managing Editor, Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia

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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

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Patricia Eshagh (PhD, CGU, 2016)

Patricia Esgagh

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

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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

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Sarah Mehany Morcos (PhD, CGU, 2015)

Sarah Mehany Morcos

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

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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

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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

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Lisa Karnan (Ph.D., CGU, 2009)

Dissertation: “The Call from Beyond and the Nag Hammadi Library”

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Master’s Theses

Jacquelene Poveromo (MA, CGU, 2014)

Thesis: “Martyrdom through the Life of Saint Mina

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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”

Magi Hernandez

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Mary Ghattas (M.A., CGU, 2012)

Thesis: “Medieval Egypt and Nubia: The Coptic and Nubian Churches, 543-1372 CE”
Recent activity: PhD candidate at CGU and Associate Managing Editor, Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia

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Sarah Mehany (MA, CGU, 2009)

Thesis: “Monastic Pachomian Rules Alive Today in Coptic Convents”
Recent activity: Received PhD at CGU (see above)

Sarah Mehany Morcos

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Prinny Stephens (MA, CST, 2008)

Thesis: “Hajir Idfu and Coptic Hagiographa”
Recent activity: PhD student at CGU

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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

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Fr. Antonious Henein (MA, CGS, 1993)

Thesis: NA
Recent activity: Archpriest, Holy Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, Los Angeles (d. 2006)

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