Islam Ashry
- Senior Research Scientist, Photonics Laboratory
Senior Research Scientist at KAUST working in intelligent optical sensing and photonic systems, spanning sensing, communications, optical power, system integration, and AI-enabled analysis. My work has progressed from laboratory research to field deployment, patents, licensing, and commercialization. • Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET); Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and IEEE. • Author/co-author of more than 50 journal papers and more than 40 conference papers; inventor on 14 granted U.S. patents, including six patent families licensed for commercialization. • Co-Founder of AK-Sens Limited, translating optical-sensing research into field deployments, commercial products, and industrial services. • Associate Editor of IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.
Biography
Islam Ashry received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Alexandria University, Egypt, and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech, USA. He is currently a Senior Research Scientist at KAUST, where his research focuses on intelligent optical sensing and photonic systems, spanning sensing, communications, optical power, system integration, and AI-enabled analysis, with strong emphasis on field deployment and technology translation. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Co-Founder of AK-Sens Limited, and Associate Editor of IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.
Expertise and Interests
Intelligent Optical Sensing; Fiber-Optic Sensing; Photonic Systems; Integrated Sensing and Communications; Optical Communications; Optical Power Delivery; AI-Enabled Photonics; Technology Translation
About
Selected Publications
- Wahyu Hendra Gunawan, Juan M. Marin, Hang Lu, Alaaeddine Rjeb, Redha H. Ibrahim, Zinan Xiao, Ibrahim Alsayoud, Chun Hong Kang, Islam Ashry*, and Boon S. Ooi*, “Quantum Random Number Generation and Key Distribution in an Integrated Optical Sensing and Communication System,” Light: Science & Applications, accepted for publication, 2026
- Haoyu Tong, Baoshi Sun, Chun Hong Kang, Talha Ariff, Fares Banjar, Alaaeddine Rjeb, Jiahao Wei, Islam Ashry*, and Boon S. Ooi, “Optical-Fiber-Based Integrated Sensing and Communication Using Distributed Acoustic Sensing,” IEEE Photonics Journal, Early Access, 2026
- Alaaeddine Rjeb, Abderrahim Fakiri, Ibrahim G. Alsayoud, Shaj K. Manjalivalapil, Mohamed Hassan, AbdelSalam AlSarkhi, Ali Al-Alwan, Mahmoud A. Mohamdin, Rahul Gajbhiye, Islam Ashry*, and Boon S. Ooi, “Internal metal-loss detection in bare and repaired pipelines using FBG sensors under multiphase flow conditions,” IEEE Sensors Journal, 21705, 26, 2026
- Haoyu Tong, Chun Hong Kang, Islam Ashry*, and Boon S. Ooi, “AI-powered communication over fiber-optic quasi-distributed acoustic sensing networks,” Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2622–2632, 44, 2026
- Talha Ariff, Michelle-Nicole Havlik, Chun Hong Kang, Alaaeddine Rjeb, Juan M Marin, Tien Khee Ng, Carlos M Duarte, Islam Ashry*, and Boon S. Ooi, “Marine reef soundscape monitoring with fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing,” Scientific Reports, 45629, 15, 2025
- Islam Ashry, Yuan Mao, Biwei Wang, Frode Hveding, Ahmed Y. Bukhamsin, Tien Khee Ng, and Boon S. Ooi, “A review of distributed fiber-optic sensing in the oil and gas industry,” Journal of Lightwave Technology, 1407–1431, 40, 2022
Professional Profile
Service Contributions
- Service to the Discipline or Profession
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Publications reviewer in IEEE, OPTICA, SPIE, Springer, and Elsevier , 2024 - present
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Awards and Distinctions
- High-Commended Trophy in the Technical Innovation of the Year Category, The Oil & Gas Middle East Awards, 2024
- Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation: Distinguished Innovative Studies and Modern Technology, 2023
- International Date Palm Innovation Technology Excellence Prize, 2022
Professional Memberships
- Fellow, Institute of Physics (FInstP), 2025
- Senior Member, US National Academy of Inventors (NAI), 2023
- Senior Member , IEEE, 2019
- Senior Member, IEEE Photonics Society, 2024
- Member, SPIE, 2020
Qualifications
Education
- Doctoral
- Electrical Engineering, Virginia Tech, United States, 2012
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Physical Engineering, University of Alexandria, Egypt, 2008
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Electrical Engineering, University of Alexandria, Egypt, 2003
- Arabic
- Native or bilingual proficiency
- English
- Professional working proficiency
Languages
Related People
Principal Investigators
Boon Ooi
- Al-Khawarzmi Distinguished Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering