معرفی
Dr. Rafic Ajaj is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KUST), a position held since August 2019, and concurrently serves as a Visiting Academic in Aerospace Structures at the University of Southampton, UK. He manages KUST's Flight Dynamics and Simulation Laboratory and has been recognized in Stanford University's "Top 2% Most Influential Scientists" list for both 2022 and 2023.
Education:
- Diploma in Aviation Studies, International Air Transport Association (Canada), 2017
- PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Swansea University (UK), 2013
- MSc in Integrated Aerospace Systems Design, University of Bristol (UK), 2009
- BSc in Mechanical Engineering, University of Balamand (Lebanon), 2008
Research Interests: Dr. Ajaj's work centers on transformative aerospace technologies, with primary emphasis on VTOL aircraft, morphing wings, and adaptive structures. His expertise extends to aircraft/UAV design, flight mechanics, aeroelasticity, and flight dynamics and control. Notably, his 2015 Royal Academy of Engineering-funded collaboration with Airbus UK yielded a patented actuation system for folding wingtips (US11203410B2), demonstrating practical applications in load alleviation for transport aircraft.
Scientific Awards:
- Stanford University's Top 2% Most Influential Scientists (2022 and 2023)
- Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Secondment Fellowship (2015)
- Boeing UK Prize for Best Master's Research Project (2009)
- University of Bristol Faculty of Engineering Outstanding Student Award (2009)
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2015)
Advising and Grants: Dr. Ajaj currently supervises five PhD students and two MSc students as primary or co-advisor, with recent graduations including Zawar Haidar (PhD, 2024) and Bara'ah Fraihat (MSc, 2023). He leads the "Morphing Aircraft Technologies" project funded for 30 months starting January 2025, which includes recruitment for one postdoctoral fellow and three PhD positions.
Laboratories and Teams: He directs KUST's Flight Dynamics and Simulation Laboratory and maintains affiliations with the Advanced Research and Innovation Center and KU Center for Autonomous Robotic Systems Research, supported by research staff including Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Dilshad Ahmad and Research Associate Ms. Baraah Fraihat.
