Rana is a part-time PhD researcher at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM). Her research aims to examine the application of complex adaptive systems theory to the digital transformation of industrial symbiosis within special economic zones. She is interested in the role that adaptive frameworks play within industrial networks and the potential of developing scalable models for climate change mitigation and emissions reduction, whilst optimizing economic resilience and resource efficiency across interconnected industrial systems. Rana is also an industrial fellow and the head of MENA at the Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSOC) under the guidance of Dr Mukesh Kumar.

With over 12 years of experience in marine conservation, litigation, and chemicals manufacturing, Rana founded The Surpluss in 2021—a UAE-based climate-tech company that provides a digital sustainability exchange for excess industrial assets, materials, and resources for businesses.  The Surpluss is B Corp certified and recognized as a Top Innovator for the Traceability in Circularity challenge at the World Economic Forum. The Surpluss holds a U.S. Patent and UK IPO Certification for its innovative approach to surplus resource management. The company currently operates across 3 continents.

Rana holds an MSt in Sustainability Leadership from CISL, Cambridge, with distinction, where she focused on diagnostic frameworks for resilient supply chains. Her academic background also includes an LLM in International Law from Middlesex University and an M.Phil in International Peace Studies with a focus on water security, from Trinity College Dublin. She is a certified GRI Sustainability Professional, SEA, and Biomimicry Practitioner, and is a trusted voice on climate change, supply chain sustainability, and circular economy in the Arabian Gulf.

Rana's insights have been featured on several outlets, including BBC, CNN, and in the Harvard Business Review. Her achievements include being awarded Eco Hero of the Year 2023 by ARN in support of COP28, first place London Business Schools’ annual entrepreneurship competition in the MENA, Mastercard & Aramex Scale up, Pitch@Gov by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Innovation Club, and Emirates Global Aluminiums’ Scale Up competition. She has also been featured on the 2024 Global Goals list by Vanity Fair as championing UN SDG 12 in addition to being selected for the Harvard Climate Entrepreneurs Circle, an exclusive incubation program by Harvard Innovation Labs for high potential ventures working to address climate change. As of September 2024, she has been awarded a Climatebase fellowship and is an official member and contributor of Forbes Business Council.

Rana is passionate about industrial symbiosis, the economics of circular economy, and advancing resource-efficient supply chains through strategic public-private sector collaboration in emerging economies. For collaborations, please contact rh814@cam.ac.uk.