KAUST Providers
Dr. Melissa Barnascone, Ph.D.
Manager of Student Counseling Services | Student Counseling Services
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Dr. Melissa Barnaschone is a licensed psychologist with extensive experience supporting personal growth and well-being. She brings a collaborative, strengths-based approach to her work with students and focuses on helping individuals gain insight, build self-awareness, and develop strategies for navigating challenges in meaningful ways.
Dr. Janhavi Devdutt, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist | Student Counseling Services
Languages: English, Hindi, Urdu
Dr. Janhavi Devdutt is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience in mental health across clinical, academic, and research settings. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in India. Her work emphasizes a compassionate and collaborative therapeutic relationship, supporting students in developing self-awareness, resilience, and practical strategies for personal and professional growth.
Dr. Irfan Anjum, D.Clin.Psy
Clinical Psychologist | Student Counseling Services
Languages: English, Punjabi, Urdu
Dr. Irfan Anjum is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals through a wide range of life challenges. He earned his Doctor of Clinical Psychology from the University of Manchester and brings a holistic, collaborative approach to his work. His practice emphasizes creating a safe, respectful space where students can explore concerns, build on their strengths, and develop practical strategies to support well-being and personal growth.
Dr. Rand Qoj, M.D.
Family Medicine Consultant | KAUST Health
Dr. Rand Qoj is a Consultant in Family Medicine at KAUST Health and leads the Family Medicine Department. She works closely with mental health services and other clinical teams to support patient well-being. Dr. Qoj brings experience from Iraq, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia to her practice.
Dr. Anas Abdulaziz Sarhan, M.D.
Psychiatrist | KAUST Health
Languages: English, Arabic, French
Dr. Anas Sarhan is a Consultant Psychiatrist at KAUST Health. He brings extensive clinical and academic experience, having trained in psychiatry in France and held leadership roles in medical education in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Sarhan is actively involved in advancing psychiatric care through clinical practice, teaching, and research, and supports students through comprehensive psychiatric assessment and treatment within a medical care setting.
Ghaida Almoabadi, MS, CCP
Clinical Psychologist | KAUST Health
Languages: English, Arabic
Ghaida Almoabadi is a Clinical Psychologist who provides patient-centered mental health care within KAUST Health. She has over seven years of experience and brings a multicultural perspective to her work, with training in clinical and health psychology in Saudi Arabia and the United States. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practice such as CBT, ACT, and EMDR. Through her work, Ghaida remains committed to empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges and achieve a greater sense of emotional balance and resilience.
Choosing a Practitioner
Choosing a mental health practitioner is a personal decision. It is normal to feel unsure at first, and there is no expectation to know exactly what you need before reaching out. Students are welcome to request a specific practitioner when scheduling an appointment, and may request a change if a different fit would be helpful.
How to Get Started
You can begin by scheduling an appointment through Student Counseling Services or KAUST Health. If you are unsure which option is most appropriate, staff can help guide you based on your needs.
