About Us

Mission

Operation Twelve is dedicated to understanding and mitigating the impact of distressing events in the Middle East, empowering communities through research, outreach, and remediation services.

Purpose

Empowering Under-represented Students

One of our core objectives is to encourage, support, and assist students from underrepresented communities, particularly from the Middle East, to initiate their own academic research projects within the STEM field. We believe in harnessing the potential of these young minds and providing them with the necessary resources and mentorship to conduct meaningful research that targets the unique challenges and opportunities within the Middle Eastern population.

Driving Positive Change

Beyond research, our purpose extends to tangible action. We believe in the power of remediation, and through our diverse services – be it academic research, social work, community workshops, or outreach programs – we strive to heal, rebuild, and empower. Our initiatives are designed to not only address the challenges faced by affected communities but to also equip them with the tools and knowledge to thrive in the face of adversity.

Understanding Impact

We are committed to unraveling the intricate web of emotions, behaviors, and societal changes that arise from distressing events. From the immediate aftermath of explosions and warfare to the long-term effects of political upheavals, we seek to comprehend how such events shape individuals, communities, and the very fabric of resilient ecologies, especially in the Middle East.

Our Story

Interactive Timeline

November 2021

In November of 2021, Youssef Alan Franci, a dedicated student from UC San Diego, embarked on a research journey that would later be known as “Operation Twelve.”

2021

Youssef assembled a diverse team of six international students, marking the inception of Operation Twelve. The initiative quickly garnered attention from renowned institutions.

February 2022

Operation Twelve bifurcated its research domains into two distinct departments: Cognitive Sciences, and Public Health and Society.

2023

Operation Twelve launched the “Qalb Beirut Initiative,” with more details set to be unveiled soon.

In November of 2021, Youssef Alan Franci, a dedicated student from UC San Diego, embarked on a research journey that would later be known as “Operation Twelve.” As a Lebanese individual, Youssef was deeply intrigued by the resilience and adaptability of the Lebanese people amidst their daily challenges. He sought to delve deeper into understanding how individuals across the Middle East coped and adapted to their unique circumstances.

To achieve this, Youssef assembled a diverse team of six international students, marking the inception of Operation Twelve. Their collective aim was to shed light on the coping mechanisms and adaptive strategies employed by people facing adversity in the Middle East.

The initiative quickly garnered attention and piqued the interest of students from renowned institutions, including the University of Washington, George Mason University, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, the American University of Beirut, and the Lebanese American University, to name a few. As interest surged, Operation Twelve transitioned from a mere research project to a robust, student-led non-profit organization, with recruitment drives becoming a regular occurrence.

By February 2022, recognizing the multifaceted nature of their research, Operation Twelve bifurcated its research domains into two distinct departments: Cognitive Sciences, and Public Health and Society. The latter was formerly recognized as Pre-Health and Society.

Today, Operation Twelve boasts a dedicated team of over 30 staff members and researchers, all committed to their mission. In 2023, the organization launched the “Qalb Beirut Initiative,” with more details set to be unveiled soon.