The Bita Daryabari Presidential Chair in Persian Language & Literature was established in 2016 thanks to a generous gift by its namesake. Bita Daryabari is an Iranian-American philanthropist, entrepreneur and computer scientist. This gift allows for on-going events and research that fosters understanding of Persian language, literature, and culture.
The Bita Daryabari Presidential Chair in Persian Language & Literature is a nationally recognized scholar who holds a joint appointment in Comparative Literature and the Middle East/South Asia Studies Program at UC Davis and specializes in the area of Persian Language, literature, and culture. The current endowed chair is Professor Amy Motlagh. Learn more about the Story of Iran in Professor Motlagh's podcast.