2026 Summer Research Internships
Nadim Al Nakhl, the Janet Lankton Research Internship
Nadim is a PhD candidate at McMaster University. The subject of his dissertation focuses on the effects of the Melkite Schism of 1724 on the iconography of the Antiochian Greek Orthodox Church and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in the Levant. He has an Honours B.A. and an M.A in History from McMaster University, as well as a Minor in Classics.
His work as an intern at the Icon Museum and Study Center will focus on depictions of God the Father found in the Russian Icons collection at the museum. His interest in this project is to examine how icons can continue to be painted and venerated despite being theologically controversial, as depicting God the Father in iconography is prohibited by Orthodox doctrine. His hope with this project is to lay the foundation for future work on controversial iconography and how rigid doctrine need not be the norm in Orthodox icons.
Annalise Whalen, the John Barnes Research Internship
Annalise is a PhD student at the University of Central Florida. Her dissertation research utilizes GIS and spatial narratives to reconstruct 9th-century Byzantine communication networks and archaeological landscapes in central Anatolia. She holds a BA in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MTS from Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the University of Central Florida.
Deeply interested in digital humanities and cultural heritage preservation across the Mediterranean, she is currently serving as the John Barns Research Intern at the Icon Museum and Study Center. Annalise is carrying out a project to digitally reconstruct the movement of sacred art via pilgrimage routes and icon provenance. Her research goal is to reframe icons as they were originally situated as part of a vast, interconnected network of pilgrimage, liturgical space, and trade. She hopes that the project’s creation of a digital resource will provide museum guests with an accessible and interactive experience that bridges the gap between historical data and modern museum engagement.
As a John Barns Intern at the Icon Museum and Study Center, I had the invaluable opportunity to engage deeply with Byzantine and post-Byzantine iconography. My experience included hands-on work with a diverse collection of icons, and collaborating with a team of dedicated scholars. This internship not only enhanced my understanding of the historical and cultural significance of these religious artifacts but also honed my skills in archival research and curatorial practices. The mentorship and resources provided by the museum were instrumental in shaping my academic and professional trajectory in the field of art history.
My time at the IM+SC allowed me to explore new topics related to my interests in Russia and religion. I appreciated that the museums’ staff and administration treated the interns with respect, trusting us to handle items in the collection, and conduct research independently. This level of trust and access far exceeded my expectations. Input from the museums curator, Justin Willson, helped me organize my ideas and exposed me to fantastic scholars in the field.