Zunair Ashfaq: Bioethics & Mental Health Expert

Zunair Ashfaq is a Muslim-American mental health professional, policy fellow, and ethics advocate whose life journey bridges science, politics, interfaith understanding, and clinical care.

Zunair majored in Biology and minored in Jewish Studies, but his college years were far from ordinary. He interned at the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, participated in a Peace and Leadership Fellowship to Israel, interned at Yale University’s Center for Bioethics, and served in the office of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg. Alongside that, he conducted genetics research in the lab, wrote for his college newspaper, and tutored fellow students in science and math.

Zunair went on to earn a Master’s in Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he also interned with the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Afterward, he worked as a management consultant for The Wharton School, bringing his analytical skills to complex organizational challenges.

Driven by a deeper calling to support individuals and communities, he pursued a Master’s in Social Work at Rutgers University, focusing on mental health and substance abuse. There, he was named a Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics and the New Jersey Department of Health, receiving the Harold and Reba Martin Fellowship in Public Policy for his commitment to ethical leadership.

Zunair then joined Cooper University Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry as a clinician, working alongside psychiatry residents to treat patients facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more–using a blend of CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. He later served as a Behavioral Health Advocate at United Health Group, gaining a firsthand understanding of the U.S. healthcare system from both the clinical and structural sides.

Outside his professional work, Zunair is deeply committed to fighting antisemitism and building bridges between communities. As a Muslim, he believes that standing up for the Jewish people is not just an act of solidarity — it’s a stand for truth, coexistence, and shared dignity.

• Majored in Biology, minored in Jewish Studies
  
• Interned at the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center
  
• Completed a Peace and Leadership Fellowship to Israel
  
• Interned at Yale University’s Center for Bioethics
  
• Interned for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg
  
• Conducted genetics research in the lab
  
• Wrote for the college newspaper
  
• Tutored students in science and math

• Earned a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
  • Interned at the U.S. Department of State
  • Interned at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland
• Worked as a Management Consultant for The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
• Studied social work, mental health, substance abuse, and psychotherapy at the Rutgers Graduate School
  • Earned a Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in mental health and substance abuse
  • Named a Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics
  • Named a Fellow at the New Jersey Department of Health
  • Received the Harold and Reba Martin Fellowship in Public Policy
    

• Worked as a clinician at Cooper University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry
  • Collaborated with psychiatry residents
  • Treated patients suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, and psychiatric disorders
  • Used evidence-based practices, including:
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Psychodynamic Therapy
    • Mindfulness-based techniques
• Served as a Behavioral Health Advocate at United Health Group
  • Gained deeper understanding of the U.S. healthcare system’s complexities

“In my free time, I am passionate about fighting antisemitism because as a Muslim-American, I believe in building bridges between communities, and antisemitism destroys the mutual respect and trust we must cultivate for peace.”

• Advocates for justice, coexistence, and truth — especially within Muslim communities

• Speaks out against antisemitism in all its forms — including in political, religious, and social circles

• Believes no cause can ever excuse the dehumanization of an entire people