Dr. Murat Demiral is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait. He earned his M.Sc. from the Technical University of Munich and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University. His research interests span small-scale crystal plasticity, multi-scale machining process modeling, biomechanics, and numerical modeling of advanced materials including composites, adhesives, and titanium alloys. Dr. Demiral has published over 90 scholarly articles and co-authored three book chapters. He has supervised more than ten M.Sc. and Ph.D. students and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Evolution in Engineering, Management & Science.
Dr. Murat Otkur is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait. He has seven years of academic experience and more than ten years of industry experience with Ford Motor Company in Istanbul.
At AUM, he serves as the Mechanical Engineering Graduation Projects Coordinator and previously led the Machine Master Club. He has actively contributed to student events such as Innovation Fair and Robotex Competition. Dr. Otkur's research interests include automotive engineering, internal combustion engines, aviation systems, and control. He is recognized for his technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to academic excellence.
Dr. Mustafa Zeki is an associate professor at the College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait, specializing in applied mathematics and computational modeling. He received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from The Ohio State University, where he focused on differential equations and dynamical systems. His research includes computational neuroscience, neural dynamics, and biologically inspired signal processing. Dr. Zeki teaches courses such as calculus and differential equations, connecting theoretical concepts to real-world problems. He actively publishes and serves the academic community through scholarly activities. With a deep interest in the interface between mathematics and complex biological systems, Dr. Zeki continues to explore the mathematical foundations of learning and computation in natural systems.
Dr. Mutaz Al-Tarawneh is a Professor of Computer Engineering at AUM. He earned his Ph.D. and M.Sc. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA. His expertise includes computer architecture, embedded systems, and power-aware computing. His research spans machine learning, IoT, cybersecurity, edge/fog/cloud computing, and intelligent service offloading. He actively contributes to curriculum development and student mentorship.
Nada Alkhateeb is a lab instructor in the Department of Math & Statistics at the College of Business Administration, American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait. The academic year 2025-2026 marks her first teaching appointment in this role. She has over ten years of professional experience at AUM, having previously served as an Exam Unit Officer, where she gained extensive experience in academic assessment, examination processes, and administrative coordination.
Nader El-Tibi is an instructor in the marketing department at the College of Business Administration, American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait. Nader brings over 20 years of experience in marketing, with a strong specialization in the digital realm. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Marketing, an MSc (Hons) in Digital Marketing, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Marketing at Lancaster University, UK.
In his career, He has bridged the gap between industry and academia. In the industry, he has led successful marketing campaigns in the healthcare sector. Within academia, his research focuses on digital marketing and virtual consumer behavior. He is a recognized scholar in digital marketing, having won "Best Online Conference Paper" at the 7th International XR Conference 2022 (ISCTE Lisbon University Institute, Portugal) and a departmental research funding award from Lancaster University (UK). He currently leverages his expertise as a marketing faculty member at the American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait.
Dr. Nadhira Khezami is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait. She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Centrale Lille, France.
Dr. Khezami was selected as a Fulbright Scholar and served as a visiting professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, USA, where she engaged in advanced research and teaching. During her time in the U.S., she collaborated with Ford Motor Company on projects related to artificial intelligence and intelligent control systems for automotive applications.
Currently, Dr. Khezami serves as the Graduation Project (GP) Coordinator for the Electrical Engineering Department, where she oversees the design, supervision, and evaluation of senior engineering projects, ensuring academic rigor and industry alignment. Her research and teaching interests include control systems, smart automation, renewable energy technologies, and machine learning.
Dr. Nadine Dirani is an assistant professor of mathematics at the College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East (AUM), Kuwait. She earned her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Université Côte d’Azur in France, where her research focused on fluid-structure interaction with contact and the development of energy-conserving numerical schemes for deformable solids.
Her academic and professional journey spans both academia and industry, including experience as an R&D Manager in applied mathematics and artificial intelligence. She has taught a wide range of undergraduate mathematics courses in France and Kuwait, fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, Dr. Dirani also holds multiple certifications in machine learning and computational mechanics. She is passionate about interdisciplinary research and advancing education and innovation in applied mathematics.
Dr. Nasser El-kanj is an educator and finance professional who values both academic growth and practical application. He earned his PhD in Finance and a Master’s in International Trade and Finance from Western Sydney University, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Beirut Arab University. He currently works as a Professor of Finance at the American University of the Middle East (AUM), where he also serves as deputy dean of the College of Business Administration (CBA), MBA director, and CBA head of Quality Assurance.
Dr. Elkanj’s research explores areas such as banking efficiency, financial risk, inequality, and how conflict affects financial systems. He aims to contribute to meaningful discussions in finance through careful, data-informed research. In the classroom, he works to create a supportive learning environment and encourages students to think critically, act responsibly, and apply their knowledge with confidence and integrity.
Dr. Natalia Wright is an assistant professor at the Department of Liberal Arts, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait. She holds an MA in language education from the University of Chichester, UK, and a doctorate in education from the University of Glasgow, UK.
With almost 30 years of teaching experience, Dr. Wright has taught various English courses to students in diverse geographical contexts. Throughout her career, she has worked as a British Council teacher trainer and has held leadership roles at several educational institutions.
As a globally oriented scholar, her research focuses on sociolinguistics, transnationalism, and identity negotiation in multilingual settings, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of language, culture, and education. Her publications have been featured in prestigious Scopus-indexed journals, including TESOL Quarterly (Q1) and the Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development (Q1). She also has extensive editorial experience as a peer reviewer for a number of academic journals.
Beyond academia, Dr. Wright is committed to knowledge dissemination and academic networking. She has attended and presented at numerous workshops at international conferences. She is a member of the IATEFL organization, a recipient of the IATEFL2026 Scholarship, and a committee member of the Teacher Development Special Interest Group (TDSIG).