The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) has awarded Dr. Ala Elwany the 2021 John L. Imhoff Global Excellence Award. This prestigious award is endowed from the estate of the late Professor John L. Imhoff, and identifies and recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in the field of industrial engineering education, who demonstrates the highest standards of the professorate in industrial engineering, and has established global collaboration and understanding through leadership and other initiatives.
Elwany says “I am thankful to the ASEE and the selection committee for recognizing me with this award. I would also like to thank my current and former students and my family for their support and for being the driving force behind my motivation and passion about global excellence in industrial engineering. Being selected for a national award named after a true visionary like Professor Imhoff is an incredible honor.” Dr. Alaa Elwany is an associate professor at Wm Michael Barnes’64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, a College of Engineering Faculty Fellow, Texas A&M University, and a member of the Engineering Education Faculty Group.
He served as a research scientist at the Manufacturing Systems Research Laboratory, General Motors R&D, prior to joining Texas A&M University. He also held overseas appointments including faculty member at Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands) and Senior Fellow at the European Institute for Statistics, Probability, and Stochastic Operations Research (EURANDOM).
Elwany completed his PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and his M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Production Engineering from Alexandria University. His research on modeling, optimization, and control of metal additive manufacturing processes (commonly known as 3D printing) was recognized with young investigator awards from leading organizations including ASME Chao and Trigger Young Manufacturing Engineer, SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer, NSF CAREER Award, and IBM Faculty Award.
He is extremely passionate about industrial engineering education and has led several curriculum development efforts, study abroad, professional education, and workforce development programs. Programs that he led have been featured in national and international news outlet in the past including IE Magazine (the monthly magazine of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers).
He was also recognized with teaching excellence awards from the Texas A&M College of Engineering and the Texas A&M Center for Teaching Excellence. Elwany has educated, trained, and mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students that are now pursuing successful careers in leading organizations including IBM, Lockheed Martin, Tesla, and Wells Fargo among many others.