He defended his dissertation in Arabic and Islamic Studies from Georgetown University in 2012 and was awarded a Post Doc in Religious Studies at Millsaps College in 2012-13. His dissertation focused on the influential medieval historian and qur’anic exegete Ibn Kathir (d. 1373) whose works have been appropriated by modern Islamic movements. His current research focuses on the relationship between Islam and the biblical tradition and Muslims-Christian-Jewish interaction. He teaches courses on the Qur’an, Islamic Movements, Biblical and Qur’anic Prophets, Islam in America and Islam and Other Religions. Professor Mirza is married with two daughters.