Shehab Ahmed is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) since August 2018 with affiliations to the Ali I.Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC) and to the PSE Division. This is the second time that Ahmed has held a faculty position at KAUST. In 2010 he was a visiting assistant professor in the PSE Division.

Areas of expertise and current scientific interests

Professor Ahmed's research interests span the broad areas of power conversion and mechatronic systems. His research aims to intelligently merge electronics/mechanics/computing/control disciplines to develop novel devices and software that serve future smart grids and intelligent oil fields. His specific research interests in the field of smart grids include: distributed/renewable power generation, utility power conversion, microgrid energy management/storage, hybrid, and electric vehicle drivetrains, and HVDC systems. His work on oilfield subsurface mechatronic systems aims to enhance drilling operations, improve wellbore integrity assessment, and support successful wireline conveyance.

Professional Experience

• 2018 – Present: Professor, Computer, Electrical, Mathematical Sciences, and Engineering (CEMSE) Division and ANPERC member at KAUST Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
• 2013-2018: Associate Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Doha, Qatar
• 2007-2013: Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Doha, Qatar
• 2010: Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Science and Engineering, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
• 2001-2007: Electrical Engineer, Schlumberger Integrated Productivity and Conveyance Center, Sugar Land, Texas, United States of America
• 1999-2002: Research Assistant, Texas A&M University, Texas, United States of America

Editorial activities

Professor Shehab is the author of more than two hundred highly-cited publications

Career recognitions

Professor Shehab the recipient of prominent awards, such as the recent TEES Engineering Genesis Award, ARC’16 Best Research Project and the TAMUQ Faculty Research Excellence Award.

Why KAUST?

I discovered KAUST during my first period as a visiting professor, in 2010, and I felt immediately inspired by the vision behind the creation of this university. Science, as a trigger for economic improvement, environmental preservation, and human betterment, is a powerful idea that very few nations dared to address in such a thorough manner and with such clockwork precision. KAUST is where vivid and audacious dreams come to life thanks to a supportive environment and the collaboration of brilliant minds.

Education Profile

• ​​​​Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University, Texas, United States of America, 2007
• M.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University, Texas, United States of America, 2000
• B.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, 1999

Areas of Expertise and Research Interests

• Power Conversion and Distribution
• Electromechanics and Applied Magnetics
• Subsurface Mechatronics

Awards and Distinctions

• TEES Engineering Genesis Award (2016)
• TAMUQ Faculty Research Excellence Award (2016)
• TAMUQ ECEN Best Faculty Research Award (2016)
• QNRF Best Research Project Award (2015)
• Dean's Fellow for Industry Research Partnership (2016)
• Best Student Advisor of the year for SWE (Society for Women Engineers) student organization at Texas A&M University at Qatar (2013)
• Fifth place for the outstanding research project from the Qatar National Research Fund for the Undergraduate Research Program Competition (2013)
• Best poster at the World Congress on Engineering Education organized by Texas A&M University at Qatar (2013)
• ECEN Faculty of the Year (2013)
• Faculty Appreciation Award by the graduating seniors of Texas A&M University at Qatar (2012)
• The AIChE Chapter Appreciation Award, Texas A&M University at Qatar (2007)
• Postdoctoral fellowship, US Environmental Protection Agency (2002)