Skip Navigation
Texas A&M University
At Qatar
العربية Campus Alerts

Texas A&M at Qatar recognizes staff and faculty for their service

Published Apr 25, 2025

Texas A&M University at Qatar celebrated the remarkable contributions of its faculty and staff at the annual Faculty and Staff Excellence and Service Awards.

Faculty Excellence Awards

  • Faculty Teaching Excellence Award: Dr. Reza Tafreshi was recognized for his dynamic teaching methods, inclusive classroom environment and innovative pedagogy that enrich student learning and elevate academic standards.

  • Faculty Service Excellence Award: Dr. Sherzod Madrahimov received the award for his exceptional service during the recent transition, including leading lab operations, organizing conferences and contributing meaningfully to campus culture.

Dean’s Leadership Awards

  • Cheryl Garcia was honored for stepping up to manage Research Administration Services during a critical staffing period and ensuring continuity for sponsored projects.

  • Sabina Uzakova was recognized for her dedication to student development, her leadership in fostering a supportive environment, and her focus on career readiness.

Staff Excellence Awards

  • Bechara Daher (Events and Visitor Relations) was lauded for his professionalism, efficiency and collaborative spirit, even under tight deadlines and budget constraints.

  • Merlisa De Leon (Human Resources) was honored for her tireless work during the campus transition, noted for her reliability, compassion and problem-solving approach.

  • Osama Desouky (Mechanical Engineering) was celebrated for his outstanding support of labs, leadership of the Staff Advisory Council and his dedication to both colleagues and students.

Teamwork and Collaboration Award

The Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness (HROE) team — Jijy Abraham, Majid Farooqi, Marium Tahir, Merlisa De Leon, Mohammed AlYafei and Tasneem Hassenally — received the Teamwork and Collaboration Excellence Award for their extraordinary efforts during one of the most challenging years in the campus’s history. From supporting terminations and transitions to showing compassion in moments of crisis, the team exemplified dedication and unity.

Years of Service Recognition

The university also honored employees for their long-standing service to Texas A&M and the Qatar campus:

25 years

  • Dr. Erchin Serpedin

20 years (Texas A&M University)

  • Teba Mousa
  • Khaled Farzat
  • Hans Jörg Schlögl
  • Faith Stringer

20 years (TAMUQ)

  • Khaled Farzat
  • Teba Bahmanzadeh
  • Hans Jörg Schlögl

15 years

  • Ibrahim Almaghrabi
  • Anas Kunju
  • Dr. Srinath Iyengar
  • Mohammed Aqeel AlYafei
  • Rola Abou Ghaida
  • Marcin Kozusznik
  • Susan Rozario
  • Dr. Albertus Retnanto

10 years

  • Dr. Mohamed Fadlelmula
  • Dr. Yiming Wubulikasimu
  • Rosalie Nickles
  • Marium Tahir
  • Dr. Mohamed Ismail
  • Amanda Mather
  • Thomas Mather V

5 years

  • Dr. Brittany Bounds
  • Dr. Ricardo Alonso
  • Katina Lynn Anderson

Dean César Malavé closed the ceremony by thanking all employees for their service and dedication. "Your hard work does not go unnoticed,” Malavé said. “The commitment each of you shows has empowered our students and faculty to lead not just in Qatar, but across the region. Your contributions leave a lasting mark on our community. Together, we continue to build a legacy of academic excellence and innovation.”

Tags: Aggie, Awards, Staff, Faculty