CAIRO: In recognition of her significant contributions to scholarship, research and academic life, Amal Esawi, professor of mechanical engineering at The American University in Cairo (AUC), was awarded the university's Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors Award. It has been a busy and productive year for Esawi, whose other recent honors include the Egyptian State Award in Engineering Sciences from the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research, and an appointment to serve as the Egyptian representative for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the qualifying body of mechanical engineers in the United Kingdom with over 80,000 members. Esawi's research concentration is nanocomposites, novel materials that are lighter and stronger than conventional manufacturing materials and are already being used in commercial products such as tennis racquets and automotive components. “I am very proud that my research on carbon-nanotube aluminum composites – which I initiated here at AUC – is being referenced by all researchers in the field and has consequently earned me the state award,” said Esawi. “I wouldn't have been able to pursue my research interests in this fascinating area without the Yousef Jameel Science and Technology Research Center (YJ-STRC) at AUC. This state-of-the-art facility is conducive to research and study of the most current, complex and cutting-edge technology and, in addition, promotes and facilitates interdisciplinary research since members belong to all the departments of the School of Sciences and Engineering,” added Esawi, who was one of the founding members of YJ-STRC and was its associate director since 2004 until recently. In addition to her advanced research and her role to promote the IMechE organization in Egypt, Esawi seeks through her teaching to simplify the fundamentals of materials or manufacturing for her students, making it easy for them to comprehend. Following a style that she describes as “design-driven,” Esawi chooses to analyze the properties and features of real products and then explaining the science behind them. Esawi joined AUC in 2001, after holding the position of a research associate at the Engineering Design Center of the Cambridge University Engineering Department. She completed her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from AUC in 1989, remaining at the university to receive a master's degree in materials engineering in 1990. She completed a PhD program at the University of Cambridge in materials and manufacturing process selection in 1995. BM
