Dr. Amal AlGhafri is the Associate Dean of the College of Resilience at Rabdan Academy and a distinguished leader in higher education strategic and change management. With over 18 years of progressive and multifaceted experience spanning teaching, research, student service, and management across the United Arab Emirates and the United States, Dr. AlGhafri has established a reputation for providing outstanding leadership with a sharp focus on enhancing both student outcomes and institutional performance.
A highly regarded expert in carbon nanotube and graphene applications, Dr. AlGhafri's research centers on synthesizing and fabricating advanced nanomaterials. Her work involves characterizing these materials and integrating them into innovative solutions, particularly in the water desalination and batteries . With a passion for driving social progress through research and technological innovation, Dr. AlGhafri’s contributions to the scientific community are both impactful and visionary.
Dr. AlGhafri holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, where she developed expertise in the fields of nanotechnology and materials science. She is renowned as the first female professor in the UAE to specialize in these fields, breaking new ground for women in science and academia in the region. As an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Khalifa University and a Research Scholar at the University of Manchester, she has made pivotal contributions to the Materials Science and Engineering discipline. Prior to her roles at Khalifa University, Dr. AlGhafri was an Assistant Professor at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, where she played an instrumental role in shaping the institute’s nanotechnology research agenda, and also served as an Assistant Professor in the Physics Department at UAE University in Al Ain.
One of Dr. AlGhafri's key achievements is her instrumental role in establishing state-of-the-art microscopy and nanotechnology research infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. She was pivotal in developing the first electron microscopy laboratory in the UAE and contributed significantly to the setup of advanced research facilities, including clean room chemical vapor deposition systems at Masdar Institute. These facilities are now cornerstones for cutting-edge research and innovation in the UAE.
Dr. AlGhafri’s scientific expertise spans the design, development, and application of nanomaterials with customizable properties that meet the specific requirements of various commercial and industrial processes. Her work in water desalination has been particularly groundbreaking, as she explores new ways to leverage nanomaterials for improved desalination efficiency. She has also led investigations into novel materials for applications in solar cells, sensors, energy storage, and more. Currently, Dr. AlGhafri is expanding her research into the development of 2D materials, working towards designing next-generation batteries and supercapacitors based on these materials.
As a principal and co-principal investigator, Dr. AlGhafri has secured over $5 million in research funding, allowing her to advance cutting-edge projects in the field of nanotechnology. Her contributions to the study and application of carbon nanotubes and graphene have positioned her as a thought leader in the scientific community. Her work not only advances scientific knowledge but also contributes directly to the UAE’s broader goals of innovation and sustainability.
Dr. AlGhafri’s influence extends beyond research. She has made significant contributions to the academic community as a mentor and educator, having supervised over 37 graduate students in their research endeavors. She has published more than 90 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals and regularly presents her research at prestigious conferences worldwide. Additionally, she serves as a certified ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) Program Evaluator, where she contributes to maintaining high educational standards in engineering programs globally.
Dr. Amal AlGhafri is also a member of the Chancellor’s Global Advisory Council at the University of Pittsburgh, where she provides strategic guidance on the university’s international initiatives. As a respected scientific reviewer for leading journals, she has made notable contributions as an advisor and collaborator in her field. Her work is defined not only by her academic achievements but also by her dedication to fostering international collaboration and improving global standards in education and research.
Through her leadership, research, and commitment to innovation, Dr. Amal AlGhafri continues to be a transformative figure in both academia and the scientific community, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the development of solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
PhD in Material Science and Engineering
Researched yield stress anomalies in iron-palladium (Fe-Pd)
United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
BSc in Physics
Graduated summa cum laude; cumulative GPA 3.98
Hermodynamics, Electron Microscopy, and Crystallography.
2D materials, CNT, Graphene in water desalination and batteries
Associate Dean