Ahmad F. Taha

Dr. Ahmad F. Taha is an Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University with dual appointments in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Holding a Ph.D. and B.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University and the American University of Beirut, respectively, Taha joined Vanderbilt in August 2021 after serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio and as a visiting researcher at Argonne National Laboratory, University of Toronto, and MIT.

• Education: Ph.D. (2015) and B.E. (2011) in Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Previous Affiliation: University of Texas at San Antonio (Assistant Professor)
• Visiting Roles: Argonne National Laboratory, University of Toronto, MIT

Taha’s research focuses on dynamic systems sciences, control theory, optimization, and cybersecurity, applied to energy, water, and transportation infrastructure. He explores how technological advances in dynamic systems and data sciences can shape future infrastructure networks, emphasizing real-time control and physics-informed decision-making. His work addresses critical challenges such as contaminant regulation in water systems, traffic monitoring on highways, and cybersecurity of power grids.

Recent publications highlight advances in sensor placement, controllability analysis, and attack detection for nonlinear systems, with applications in power networks and water distribution systems. Taha’s research leverages Lyapunov theory, submodular optimization, and empirical Gramians to solve complex control problems.

Scientific Awards

• NSF CAREER Award (2021)

Taha actively mentors graduate students, including Ph.D. advisees Salma and Marcus, whose recent papers in Automatica and Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management demonstrate his group’s productivity. He also teaches courses on control theory, optimization, and cyber-physical systems, and leads initiatives in the Control Systems Society (CSS), including founding the CSS State-Space Forum and serving as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions journals.