Shahla is a third-year Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Classics and Religious Studies (CRS) and is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) at the University of Iowa. Additionally, since 2021, she has been employed as an Assistant Professor (Study Leave) in the Department of World Religions and Culture (WRC) at the University of Dhaka. Her PhD research is focused on "Women in Political and Ideological Violence: A Case Study of South and Southeast Asia." Hence, her research interests cover Radicalization, Religion and Politics, Violence and Extremism, Women, Gender, and Religion, etc.

After completing her BA and MA in World Religions and Culture at the University of Dhaka, Shahla joined her alma mater as a Lecturer in 2017. Meanwhile, she also completed a second Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manchester (with Merit) as a Commonwealth Scholar (2020-21). Since starting her PhD at UI in Fall 2024, Shahla has been focused on publishing in high-impact factor journals, presenting at conferences, and TA-ing for different undergraduate-level courses.