Sam Nakhla

Sam Nakhla is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland, with a cross-appointment in the Faculty of Medicine. He holds degrees from Cairo University (BSc, MSc Aeronautical Engineering) and Georgia Institute of Technology (MSc, PhD Aerospace Engineering). His research focuses on mechanics of materials, composite materials analysis, multiscale modeling, and biomechanics, with applications in aerospace, mechanical, and biomedical engineering. He leads the Germain Laboratory for Advanced Structures (GLAS), pioneering work in environmental degradation analysis, additive manufacturing defects, and AI-driven design optimization.

Dr. Nakhla’s research spans molecular dynamics simulations, fracture mechanics, and nondestructive evaluation techniques like µCT. He has collaborated with industry partners such as Suncor, Bombardier, and NASA Goddard, securing federal/provincial funding. His work includes developing virtual design tools for prosthetic sockets, optimizing morphing wing composites, and advancing ASTM standards for material testing. Current initiatives address Additive Manufacturing quality control through AI-Design of Experiments.

His academic contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed articles, teaching innovations in aerospace structures, and interdisciplinary work merging medical imaging with engineering solutions for healthcare applications. He established the GLAS lab in honor of Marie-Sophie Germain, emphasizing precision engineering and material integrity.