Barikisu Issaka, a Ghanaian student has completed her PhD studies in the United States of America.
Dr. Issaka posted an update about her PhD defense on Facebook (August 3, 2025) stating that she had “defended and passed my dissertation at Michigan State University.”
The event took place on June 28, 2025.
Her topic was: Exploring Culturally-Centered ICTs for Mental Health Support: Understanding the Role of Islamic Culture and Religiosity in Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Muslims in the US.
May Allah bless her certificate and make her knowledge beneficial to the Ummah at large.
Read her full post on Facebook below:
PhinisheD! (Officially Dr. Issaka)
Four years came by so fast. I’m elated to announce that this summer, I defended and passed my dissertation at Michigan State University. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions these four years but I’m thankful to God for seeing me through. I’m grateful to my family, my husband, friends, colleagues, and mentors for their support.
My special gratitude goes to my advisor, Dr. Anastasia Kononova and my dissertation committee members— Dr. Saleem Alhabash, Dr. Bree Holtz, and Dr. Wei Peng for their support and insights during my dissertation writing. In addition to providing me with the best academic mentorship anyone could ask for, Dr. Kononova and Dr. Alhabash were there for me in my non-academic life, especially in my most difficult times when I lost my beloved dad (may Allah forgive his shortcomings) who had been a reliable pillar in my life!
My journey at MSU was also great due to the many opportunities I had outside of my department. The African Studies Center, the Alliance for African Partnership, and the MSU AgBioResearch Center gave me multiple research and funding opportunities to broaden my interdisciplinary knowledge and skills.
I look forward to continuing my academic career and contributing to making life better for the communities, including students, with and for whom we do this necessary work of research, teaching, and advocacy.
