Tamuq’s Prof Masad elected AAAS fellow
TEXAS A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq) professor Dr Eyad Masad has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to the field of infrastructure materials and systems.
Masad is the Zachry Professor in Design and Construction Integration II in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas
A&M University, and professor of mechanical engineering at Tamuq. He is also the executive director of
Global Partnerships at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, an engineering research agency of the State of Texas.
Masad said, “It is a privilege to be recognised for making scientific contributions that advance science and its applications.”
He’s being recognised for his work on the development of innovative methods for characterisation of material microstructure and computational modelling of road performance. This work has improved the design of long-lasting and sustainable road infrastructure, and the results of his research are increasing the longevity and sustainability of roads in Qatar.
Masad has been at the forefront of several Tamuq initiatives that are advancing safety and sustainability, and are integral to standards for worldclass infrastructure in Qatar. Among these initiatives are a new consortium for asphalt and pavement technologies comprising industry professionals, a progress-building agreement connecting public works and the university, a groundbreaking conference, and new educational opportunities to enhance the workforce in Qatar.
He has active research groups and programmes in the US and Qatar, and has published more than 350 technical papers and reports. He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and has served as associate editor of two major engineering journals. Through the years, he has received several prestigious academic and professional awards in recognition of his professional, academic, research and administrative contributions, including the 2019 James Laurie Prize for 2019 from the ASCE Transportation and Development Institute. At Tamuq, he previously served as vice-dean and assistant dean for research.
He is the co-author of a book ‘Pavement Design and Materials’, which has been adopted for teaching pavement courses in several universities around the world. Masad has established several research laboratories and chaired several conferences, symposia and workshops sponsored by professional organisations all over the world.
Dr César Octavio Malavé, dean of Tamuq, said, “Being elected fellow by your peers is one of the most significant honours someone can receive, and Dr Masad is so deserving of this recognition. Dr Masad has been an engineering leader at our campus since he first joined our faculty in 2009. His record of outstanding teaching, research and service speaks for itself.”
Masad received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Jordan in 1993, and his master’s (1995) and doctoral (1998) degrees from Washington State University, all in civil engineering.
Masad will be recognized in February during the association’s annual meeting in Seattle, the US. Formed in 1848, AAAS is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society, with members in more than 91 nations.