VCU Engineering alum honored by Rochester Institute of Technology for outstanding research contributions

Mohamed Samaha, Ph.D.
Photo courtesy of Mohamed Samaha, Ph.D.

VCU Engineering alumnus Mohamed Samaha, Ph.D. (Ph.D.’12) was recognized by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for outstanding research contributions. Samaha is an associate professor and graduate program adviser for mechanical engineering at RIT’s campus in Dubai. He was the selected faculty member from RIT’s Dubai campus to receive this honor for this year.

Samaha’s research focuses on experimental, numerical and theoretical approaches in thermofluids, with applications in active and passive flow control for saving energy. He investigates methods of harvesting renewable energy, including wind turbines and solar panels.  His research also spans design optimization of high-capacity, ground-coupled heat exchangers and energy storage systems.

During his doctoral studies at VCU, Samaha worked in advancing relatively low-cost micro/nanofabrication of slippery superhydrophobic surfaces for drag-reduction purposes. He was a postdoctoral research assistant at Princeton University before joining the faculty of RIT-Dubai in 2014.

He has published 18 peer-reviewed journal articles, with two more in preparation, and 24 conference papers and abstracts.

Samaha credits Mohamed Gad-el-Hak, Ph.D., professor emeritus in VCU’s Department of Mechanical Nuclear Engineering, with inspiring him to excel. “This harvest resulted from all that Dr. Gad-el-Hak implanted in me. This achievement is dedicated to him,” Samaha said.