Masad appointed assistant dean for research and graduate studies
Published Sep 29, 2009In support of continuing its expansion of research activities and implementation of its graduate programs, Texas A&M University at Qatar announces the appointment of Professor Eyad Masad as Assistant Dean for Research and Graduate Studies.
Dr. Masad holds a joint appointment as Halliburton Professor of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M's home campus and is a member of the mechanical engineering program at Texas A&M at Qatar. His expertise lies in developing innovative materials for improving the performance and qualities of infrastructure systems and he is looking to establish regional research centers to support development in Qatar.
"As a relatively new campus, we still have significant work to do in terms of building research capacity in Qatar," said Dr. Masad, whose duties also include the refinement of regulations and procedures that govern research activities and the development of research programs that involve Texas A&M at Qatar students in order to better prepare them to become future scientists and engineers. “Our faculty has been very successful in receiving research grants and contracts from government organizations and industries in Qatar. Therefore, we need to work hard to continue to develop the infrastructure and human capital that can back these projects.â€
Masad came to Texas A&M's Qatar campus by way of College Station, Texas, where he studied road material properties and performance as well as taught Foundations of Engineering and other engineering courses. Drivers whose cars remained on the road even after swerving to miss other vehicles possibly owe their lives to Dr. Masad.
"Eyad has contributed to the well-being of society by helping to make roads better, and in the process had demonstrated how sophisticated scientific instrumentation can be used to produce very practical improvements to engineering practice," said James C. Holste, the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at Texas A&M at Qatar. "Now, he will be assisting other researchers to develop their programs as well as assisting with the implementation of our graduate programs. These programs will certainly provide more opportunities to develop the technical expertise and technical base that Qatar requires."
In addition to the Halliburton professorship, which is given to Texas A&M faculty who have demonstrated excellence in both teaching and research, Masad has received two Eisenhower fellowships in Transportation Engineering as well as recognition from the Texas Transportation Institute. He research currently focuses on the analysis of various materials using an X-ray Computed Tomography Machine (X-ray CT) to help fellow engineers understand their microstructures.
"Qatar has a thriving industry and has experienced tremendous economic growth," said Dr. Masad. "This growth needs to be supported by high quality infrastructure system 'both in material and human capital."