Azizou Atte-oudeyi was a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Religion at Rice University. His research interests concerned conversion experiences, contemporary African Christianity and
Islam, and the impact that both religions have on social and economic
development in West Africa. Azizou held a BA in International Studies from American International
College, a MA in International Sustainable Development from Brandeis University, and MA in
Religious Studies from Rice University. Azizou was a Pickering Graduate Fellow at the United States
Department of State between 2011 and 2013. He later served as a United States diplomat until 2018,
when he joined the Department of Religion at Rice University.