Dr. Ibrahim returned to the U.S. after being admitted to Stanford as a doctoral candidate in architecture in 2000. When her funding from UPM ran out in 2004, her doctoral dissertation would have been complete except for delays caused by medical issues that eventually required major surgery. Prof. Paulson — her mentor, research partner, and thesis advisor — thought so highly of her that he cobbled together fellowship money to support her that fall until after her oral exams and oral defense of her thesis In December 2004.

(Professor Paulson died of cancer in 2005. Because of being barred from the U.S., Dr. Ibrahim was unable to see him before he died or attend his funeral, and has been unable to visit his grave as she would like to do.)