Hazem H. Refai

Dr. Hazem H. Refai serves as the Williams Chair of Telecommunication and Networking and Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Oklahoma's Gallogly College of Engineering in Tulsa. His research bridges optical wireless communications, medical device coexistence, and intelligent transportation systems, with leadership roles in the Wireless Electromagnetic Compliance and Design (WECAD) Center and Innovative Traffic Systems and Solutions LLC.

Education:

• M.S.E.E. from the University of Oklahoma (1993)
• Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma (1999)

Research Focus: Dr. Refai pioneers optical wireless mobile communication systems using free space optics, medical device wireless coexistence for electromagnetic compliance, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication for auto-collision avoidance. His work on the Disaster Area Wireless Network (DAWN) and cognitive radio networks demonstrates practical applications in emergency response and spectrum efficiency, with recent expansion into fMRI real-time signal processing for neuroscience applications.

Publication Trends: Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal a strategic interdisciplinary expansion where wireless communications expertise converges with biomedical engineering—evident in EEG/fMRI studies of stroke rehabilitation, epilepsy, and opioid dependence, alongside cardiovascular research on Floatation-REST. His group simultaneously advances wireless technology identification using dynamic mode decomposition and aerial network optimization for 6G infrastructure.

Scientific Recognition:

• University of Oklahoma College of Engineering Brandon H. Griffith Faculty Award (2000)
• Best Paper Award, IWCMC 2013 (Cognitive Extensions to Existing Wireless Technology)
• OSPE Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award (2006)
• Multiple IEEE ComSoc student competition awards (2013-2015)
• 24th Digital Avionics Systems Conference Best Session Paper (2005)

Mentorship & Infrastructure: Dr. Refai has successfully chaired 48 MS and 19 PhD students while developing five new ECE courses including RF Microelectronics and Wireless Networks. He directs the WECAD Center for medical device coexistence testing and founded Innovative Traffic Systems and Solutions LLC for intelligent transportation applications, supported by industry partnerships and FDA research appointments.

Research Ecosystem: The WECAD Center conducts critical medical device coexistence research with the FDA, while his traffic systems company develops real-world solutions like the ODOT Radar System for traffic monitoring. His IEEE leadership (past Tulsa Chapter President) connects academic research with industry implementation in both telecommunications and healthcare domains.