Somaya EL-Saadani, is a Professor of Demography at the Department of Demography and Biostatistics, Institute of Statistical Studies and Research, Cairo University. She received her Ph.D. in demography in 1993 from Cairo University, through the channel system with the Johns Hopkins University. Previously, she was Seconded Adjunct Research scientist at the Social Research Center, the American University in Cairo (1996-2013). She was head of the Department of Demography and Biostatistics, Institute of Statistical Studies and Research, Cairo University (2008-2009, 2013-2014). She also served as statistical advisor for “The Standing Project on Drug Abuse in Egypt”, The National Center for Social and Criminological Research  (1998-2004). She was principal investigator and co-principal investigator of research projects funded by FORD Foundation, UNFPA, UNDP, the World Bank and the International Population Council. Her research interests are in the area of health ( morbidity, mortality and reproductive health) and social demography with special interest in internal and international migration and urbanization, family formation and poverty.