Main attraction
In my own field, engineering, I do work related to computer-integrated manufacturing systems, which deal with a wide variety of disciplines and topical areas, such as computer control and production planning and control. I also have a great interest in the history of technology and the impact of engineering on society and vice versa, especially in Egypt. At present, I am focused on the renaissance of modern Egypt, especially the period between 1798 and 1882, when the locomotive was first introduced to Egypt and Africa and triggered the industrial revolution there almost one hundred years after Europe and the U.S.

Great expectations
I feel fortunate to teach all levels of undergraduates—from first-year students to seniors—and I find that each level is exciting and challenging in its own way. I especially enjoy teaching first-year students because while they often demand the most from me, they also bring the greatest reward. When I teach my introductory engineering course and meet a new class of students for the first time, I introduce myself as their host for the next four months and share my intent to make our time together the most exciting hour of the week! In the upper-level classes, the semester is always filled with lots of interaction and teamwork, but four months later, I witness a wonderful transformation as I see my students evolve into young professionals who know how to present and use proper methodology. I feel like a proud parent, and it's often hard to let them go!

Family affair
My greatest inspiration was my mother, a very strong woman who taught me many things. She was largely responsible not only for my educational success but that of my three brothers, including the one who served as a role model for me and is now a professor of architecture. My father also taught me discipline, organization, and the work ethic that is required in long hours of study. My mother was the creative and pragmatic of the two, while my father was the theorist and organizer.

Innovation
The best part about teaching at Miami is the opportunity to teach within a liberal arts environment that allows for creativity and ingenuity. During my first two years at Miami, I met many wonderful professors from almost every discipline, due in part to my involvement with the Alumni Teaching Program. Through this faculty learning community, I discovered a lot about teaching, student learning, and classroom effectiveness and met with many Miami educators, whose influence and impact on my life and professional career are still with me. More recently, around 2000, I met a history professor and former curator of transportation artifacts at the Smithsonian. We shared a passion for technology and together, created an interdisciplinary course. Merging history and engineering, it examines nineteenth-century technology in the U.S.—an age of revolutions and explorations.

On a personal note
In addition to my academic pursuits, I love opera and classical music, especially the Romantic period. In opera, Wagner is my favorite, and in classical music, the three Bs come first: Beethoven, Brahms, and Bach. Haydn, Schubert, and Mozart are also among my favorite composers.

The secret of success
Miami is really strong when it comes to small classes that focus on teaching. I have mentored a lot of students over the years; we work on projects, go out to lunch, or just hang out together. Like new faculty, students can be vulnerable in a strange environment and need nurturing and assurance. Minority students especially need to be reminded that they are not alone. I might introduce a student to research or make myself available to answer questions on a regular basis. Sometimes students just need someone to listen.