McGIll-UAE Scholar Portfolios

Current Scholars 

Abdulrahman Almessabi, Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

UAE Scholar_AlmessabiSmart Origami-inspired Metamaterials. My research covers the area of reconfigurable origami-inspired metamaterials made of stiff and soft, passive and active materials. Mechanical metamaterials impart foldability, stiffness tunability, and multi-stability, enabling shape morphing and reconfigurability. These properties are essential in deployable structures, soft robotics, and flexible medical devices. Researchers have widely studied passive paper-made origami-inspired metamaterials; however, researchers have recently become interested in creating "smart" origami metamaterials. Such material is made of stimulus-responsive materials and can autonomously react to a physical field, such as thermo-responsive self-deployable stent-grafts, or magneto-responsive robotic arms, to name a few.

I started my PhD program at McGill University as a recipient of the McGill-UAE Fellowships for the second time after successfully receiving my master's from McGill University, where I gained research experience in the mechanics of materials, especially bio-inspired materials. I received my bachelor’s from Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi with the highest honors. Besides my academic experience, I had the chance to participate in EXPO 2020 Dubai with Dubai Police as part of my UAE National Service, where I learned about security systems, communication, and customer happiness/service. Before that, I was exposed to many engineering training in different parts of the world, such as Siemens in Germany, Fincantieri in Italy, EARTH in UAE, and LIG Nex1 in South Korea, in industries ranging from energy, gas turbines, and shipbuilding, to defense-related technologies. In addition, I am proud I was selected to participate in prestigious programs such as UAE Youth Ambassadors (to Germany) and Louvre Abu Dhabi Ambassadors programs, where I learned about diplomacy, international cooperation, art, and culture.

In my PhD program, I aspire to become a better researcher, learn how to ask the right questions, add to the scientific community in my field, and eventually transfer my knowledge back to the UAE.


Omar Rashid Ahmad Binfahad, Mining Materials and Engineering (Master's)

UAE Scholar_BinfahadMy research project is a continuation of the impressive work done by my supervisor, professor Mathieu Brochu, and his group P^2 [AM]^2. My thesis focuses on solving mismatches in microstructure and mechanical properties using new heat treatment strategies for laser powder bed fusion (LBPF) additive parts with low angle sections. This project will focus on evaluating and defining new heat treatment cycles in order to reduce/eliminate the microstructural gradient produced during LPBF of Inconel 625 made by laser powder bed fusion. Further information (if needed): Microstructural gradients are a source of mechanical anisotropy, which may induce defective operation of the part. Considering these parts are used in the aerospace industry, failure or reduced reliability of parts during service is not possible. The key competitive interactions to be studied are ensuring the dissolution of the cellular structure emerging from solidification while maintaining the smallest grain size to maximize strength. I graduated from UBC as a mechanical engineer. During that time I have worked as a research assistant, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the field and allowing for a smooth transition into my graduate studies. During the summer of my undergraduate degree, I had the chance of an intern at Alfattan Ship Industry in the UAE. This experience was an eye-opener and a great example of the real-life applications of engineering. As an undergraduate student at UBC, I got the chance to be a student ambassador of the school of engineering and Vantage college for multiple years of my degree. This allowed me to grow my network and connect with students from a variety of fields and backgrounds.

    I aspire that one day I will be able to apply everything I learned by being abroad to grow and develop my beloved country. I hope to allow the UAE to be at the forefront of the materials science and engineering industry. One step at a time this dream would be realized.


    Sharifa Alsheebani, Experimental Surgery (Master's)

      UAE Scholar_AlsheebaniMy research revolves around the long-term follow up of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation post surgical repair. Proud graduate of the United Arab Emirate University & an active surgical resident at the McGill University Health Center. Currently enrolled in an Experimental Surgery Masters (non-thesis) program at McGill University.

      I hope to eventually return to the United Arab Emirate to advocate & help enforce education in all surgical subspecialties.


      Shaima Alsuwaidi, Integrated Program in Neuroscience (PhD)

      UAE Scholar_AlsuwaidiMy PhD research focuses on developing in vitro models of the effect of purine metabolism disorders on neurodevelopment and the function of brain cells. Specifically, I study Lesch-Nyhan disorder and Adenosine Deaminase Severe Combined Immunodeficiency using a combination of cell culture, genetic engineering, and biochemistry techniques. I completed my BSc in Chemical Engineering at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), UAE in 2015. Following that I completed my MSc in Neuroscience at University College London, UK in 2017 and then worked as a research assistant in the Khalil Lab at AUS for 1 year. I am currently a PhD candidate in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience at McGill. During my time at McGill I have participated in several science communication and outreach initiatives such as Brain Reach, Brain Info Cerveau, Neuro Summer Academy, and Stem Cell Talks symposium.

      I aspire to continue increasing my knowledge and sharing my passion for science communication, also exploring ways of bridging my research to applications that can benefit the public.


      Previous Scholars

      Abdulrahman Almessabi, Mechanical Engineering (MEng'2020)

      My name is Abdulrahman Almessabi and I am from Abu Dhabi, UAE. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. To enrich my engineering background, I had many trainings in some of the top engineering companies including Siemens in Germany, Fincantieri in Italy and LIG in South Korea. Besides professional life, I am so proud of being selected as a UAE Youth Ambassador to Germany and a Louvre Abu Dhabi Student Ambassador. Those programs helped me grow on the personal level and to experience other fields and interests.

      Currently I’m doing Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at Mcgill University. I am working in the Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Bio-inspiration, and my thesis focuses on exoskeleton based on fish-scales. I am so honored to be a recipient of the Mcgill-UAE Fellowships as this allowed me to study at a top-notch university in a student welcoming city. I look forward to successfully completing my studies to support others and to give back to the science community


      Alia Ibrahim Alameri, BBME (MEng'2022)

      My name is Alia Alameri, and I am from the United Arab Emirate, the city of Sharjah. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. I am now a Masters of Engineering student at McGill University in the Biomedical Engineering department.
      I have always been curious about the natural world but it wasn’t until I coupled my curiosity with a life purpose that I found satisfaction. I chose to pursue a career in biomedical engineering because it provides not only a base of knowledge that satisfies my curiosity about the natural world, but also the engineering tools to solve some of the many healthcare challenges our world faces today. I aspire to complete my academic degrees and continue my work as a scientific investigator and mentor. I plan to do my best to be able to use my current and future position to excite the youth about science and contribute to the advancement of biomedical research.


      Lydia Lawand, Mechanical Engineering (PhD'2021)  

      UAE Scholar_LawandI am honored to be one of the recipients of McGill-UAE Fellowship that will allow me to achieve my dream of becoming a researcher and use engineering to solve impending real-world problems. Growing up in a family of engineers has helped me realize the value of education. I feel strongly about bridging the analytical approach of engineering with structured industrial and corporate values to analyze and interpret real world data. Such interpretations with the assistance of engineering can be used to tailor solutions to target world needs and problems.

      I am a mechanical engineer with a dream to pursue a career in academia. I have completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering at The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi. Obtaining the McGill-UAE Fellowship to continue my studies in one of the world’s top universities is a great opportunity that will help me be one step closer to my dream. Through its wide range of collaborations with various industries and universities worldwide, McGill University offers great networking opportunities to its students that help broaden their horizon. I was fortunate to be assigned to work on a large research project that includes 5 Canadian and 4 European Union partners in which, through the help of this generous fellowship, I was able to do internship with our collaborators in Sweden. Throughout my internship, I met experts in my field, earned skills that will help me serve the engineering community and got a chance to represent UAE on an international level.

      Throughout the summer internship, activities focused on integrating lifecycle and failure models as well as integrating a repair and re-manufacturing model into a (Multi-Disciplinary Optimization) MDO framework. I have worked along with a colleague from McGill University on developing a framework description and an experimental platform where the design and analysis process can be used for design space exploration and design process automation. Data was generated for many different design and loading scenarios. Results were visualized using parallel coordinates to examine the impact of different design variables and parameters on the response of the model and gain an understanding of the interdependencies of these design variables and parameters. In order to interactively modify the design variables and parameters, we developed a user interface to facilitate user input and graphical visualization (where applicable) and tabulation of the results of the different disciplines. Since the internship experience last summer was successful and fruitful, arrangements for a second internship in Sweden this summer were made throughout which I will be presenting my work in NORDDESIGN 2018 Conference.

      During my studies in the UAE I have participated in various extra curricular activities. These include volunteering in Al Noor Centre and Al Qudra Centre for children with special needs, taking part in “Educate Africa” fund raising carnival, volunteering in Operation Smile medical charity and representing the Mechanical Engineering department at the Petroleum Institute’s open day. Moreover, in my free time I play the saxophone which is the hobby I have been practicing for the past 5 years. Finally, I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as I got help through this generous fellowship.


      Omar Alaryani, Physics (MSc'2020) 

      UAE Scholar_AlaryaniThis summer, I have joined the High Energy Theory and Cosmology research group at McGill. In this group, I would be exposed to the Laws of Nature at their most fundamental level, at their most extreme, in the very early universe. In the next two years, supervised by Dr Robert Brandenberger, I aim to consolidate my understanding of theoretical physics, in order to to publish a thesis in theoretical cosmology.

      I would like to possess the ability to speak to the general public about the frontiers of natural science. I believe that through the act of demystifying the conceptual complexities and mathematical hurdles of modern science, we are consequently filled with a sense of childlike wonder. As we scrutinize distant dots in the sky, we observe a pandemonium of extraordinary objects, whose age-old processes have produced the matter that has given rise to life on earth, we are all connected to our universe.

      Research Experience and Publications

      Gamma Ray Bursts and Supernovae with Dr. Nidhal Guessoum (2016 - 2018)

      The project goals are twofold, to develop a regional expertise in high energy electromagnetic radiation detector design and to perform a statistical analysis of published data quantifying cosmic outbursts.
      The team has had a paper accepted at the Frontiers in Theoretical and Applied Physics (FTAPS) conference in Sharjah (2017) as well as the 42 nd Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) conference in Pasadena, California (2018).
      A Time-Dependent Model of the Upper Atmosphere of Mars with Dr. Tariq Majeed (2016 - 2017)
      A study of the plasma escape in the Martian exosphere in order to characterize energy deposition in the thinly layered atmosphere of Mars by means of a mathematical model.
      The team has had two conference papers accepted at FTAPS and the Japanese Geoscience Union/American Geophysical Union Joint Meeting in Summer 2017.
      Development of a Biomedical Microwave Imaging System with Dr. Nasser Qaddoumi and Dr. Amer Zakaria (2016 - 2017)
      A team member in an Electrical Engineering Senior Design project involving the use of low-energy, non-invasive imaging to inspect the electrical properties of tumorous tissue in the breast.
      The team has been amongst the finalists in four nation-wide STEM research competitions (in the UAE) and has an IEEE Proceedings journal paper published.
      First Arab Winter School in Astrophysics (2016)
      Selected to represent the United Arab Emirates as a fully sponsored students in the School, an intensive week-long series of astrophysics lectures that included discussions on topics ranging from General Relativity to the search for exoplanets.
      American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting (December 2015)
      Participated in the week-long AGU conference, in San Francisco, California. Presented a poster entitled Investigating the Conductivity of the Martian Atmosphere, for a full day, presenting my efforts in assisting Dr. Matthew Fillingim of the University of California, Berkeley.
      Advancing Space Science through Undergraduate Research Experience (Summer 2015)
      Took part in a ten week Research Experience for Undergraduates program at the University of California, Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory, where I learned the fundamentals of academic research, instructed by Dr. Matthew Fillingim and Dr. Claire Raftery, planetary scientists at the lab.
      Worked in a professional environment with scientists and engineers, co-presenting research in an hour-long presentation and presenting our work in a scientific poster of the same topic.

      Zainab Almheiri, Civil Engineering (PhD'2022)

      Zainab Almheiri from United Arab Emirates. She earned her B.A. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain. And her M.A. in Engineering Systems & Management from Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research, Masdar Campus which is established in collaboration with MIT in USA. Her research area was related to Water & Environmental Engineering (WEN), it dealt with mathematical modeling, statistical analyses, chemical sampling and analyses of an integrated seawater aquaculture and agriculture systems. She was involved in Seawater Energy and Agriculture Systems (SEAS) project at Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

      She is currently a Ph.D. student at McGill University in Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanisms, Canada. She has chosen McGill University because the Institute has gained international recognition as a center of excellence in offering excellent courses in various fields. She is passionate about studying topics related to the environment and sustainability. She said, “I believe that the climate change will be our main concern in the future and we must have alternative and ready plans to face this crisis”. In the meantime, she is studying the impact of the environmental factors on the geotechnical performance of soil. She believes that she will excel in helping the country succeed in achieving sustainable structure and infrastructure.

      “I love education. To me, the definition of success is to become a knowledgeable person who helps, respects and benefits others. My dream is to support the new generation for solving problems that will be facing in the future and help back my community. I believe that the climate change will be impacting on the infrastructure lifetime and I am working on finding solutions to assure a sustainable and long-term infrastructure against this crisis,” says Zainab.


       

      Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.
      Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University.

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