Nerina Rustomji

Nerina Rustomji is a Professor at St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, St. John's University. She specializes in the intellectual, cultural, and social history of Islamic societies and the Middle East, with additional interests in aesthetics, gendered configurations, biological/commercial exchanges, secularism, and America's relationship with Muslim worlds.

Education: Ph.D. (2003), M.Phil. (1998), and M.A. (1997) in History from Columbia University; B.A. (1995) in History and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Texas, Austin.

Her research transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, exploring themes such as heaven/hell in Islamic culture and the symbolic role of the houri (heavenly virgin). Her work bridges medieval and modern contexts, analyzing theological, aesthetic, and sociopolitical dimensions. Publications include The Garden and the Fire (2009) and The Beauty of the Houri (2021), which examine Islamic eschatology and gendered ideals across centuries.

No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed. Advising information is unavailable.