Lama Zakzak is a Principal Researcher at Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government specializing in sustainable development policy research, with a focus on the MENA region. She is the lead researcher on the Arab SDG Index and Dashboards report, a partnership with the UN SDSN, that has significantly contributed to understanding progress on SDGs in the region. Additionally, Lama worked on research projects on climate action in the MENA region, with a focus on policy for adaptation and resilience. She has gained interdisciplinary experience working on a number of policy-oriented research projects in education, health and wellbeing, gender equality, and public innovation. Her contributions extend to major global forums such as the World Governments Summit, COP28, and MENA Climate Week, where she has presented and participated in panel discussions.

In addition to her work in sustainable development, Lama has contributed to the production of more than 400 case studies on global public innovation, including on topics related to sustainable and green innovation.

Lama holds a MSc in Global Health Policy from the University of Edinburgh, as well as an MA from the American University of Sharjah. She focuses her research on sustainable development, climate adaptation and resilience, and health and wellbeing.