Dr. Asmaa Afifi | Microwave and Electromagnetic Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, Electronics Research Institute, Egypt

Asmaa Ibrahim Afifi Mohammed is an Egyptian researcher specializing in microstrip circuits, antenna design, and wireless communication. Born on January 24, 1990, in Egypt, she holds significant academic and professional achievements. She is currently a researcher at the Electronics Research Institute in Cairo, where she has worked since 2013, progressing from research assistant to a researcher in microstrip circuits. Dr. Afifi earned her doctoral degree from the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) in 2020. She completed her post-doctoral research at Tohoku University, Japan, in 2022. Dr. Afifi is also a lecturer at Al-Azhar University and has served as a reviewer for various journals and conferences. Her passion for advancing wireless communication systems, particularly in MIMO antennas, dielectric resonators, and cancer detection technologies, has earned her international recognition.

Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

1. Extensive Research Experience: Asmaa has extensive experience in the field of electronics and communications, particularly in antenna design, microwave circuits, and wireless communication. She has contributed to a variety of projects, including research on MIMO antennas, dielectric resonator antennas, RF components, and cancer detection technologies.
2. Diverse Research Topics: Her research interests span critical areas like MIMO antenna development, dielectric resonator antennas, and the application of microwave imaging for breast cancer detection. This showcases a blend of advanced theoretical knowledge and real-world applications, with an emphasis on healthcare, which is highly valuable for multidisciplinary innovation.
3. Post-Doctoral Fellowship and International Collaboration: Asmaa’s post-doctoral research at Tohoku University in Japan demonstrates her ability to collaborate internationally and her commitment to advancing her field. This also reflects her dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
4. Strong Academic and Professional Background: Her educational background, with advanced degrees from prestigious institutions like E-JUST and Ain Shams University, complemented by her employment at the Electronics Research Institute, positions her as a leading expert in her field. Her active involvement in various academic roles, such as reviewer for respected journals and co-chair for conferences, further strengthens her profile.
5. Prolific Research Output: Asmaa has authored and co-authored several impactful research papers in top-tier journals and conferences, with notable citations. Her work on topics like the design of multi-band antennas and the use of metamaterials in antenna applications has been highly cited, indicating the significant contribution her research has made to the field.
6. Innovative and Practical Applications: Her research on using antennas for medical applications, like breast cancer detection, reflects a strong ability to bridge engineering with healthcare, a highly impactful area that can benefit society at large.
7. Teaching and Leadership Skills: Asmaa’s experience as a lecturer at Al-Azhar University, as well as her leadership in organizing sessions at international conferences, highlights her ability to communicate complex ideas and guide the next generation of researchers.

Areas for Improvement

1. Expanding Research Focus: While her work in antenna design and communications is robust, she could consider diversifying her research to include emerging fields like quantum computing or AI-driven antenna design. This would enable her to stay ahead of new technological trends that are influencing communications and electronics.
2. Increased Industry Collaboration: Further engagement with industry partners could enhance the practical applications of her research. Industry collaborations can provide valuable real-world problem-solving opportunities and support the transition from theoretical research to scalable technologies.
3. Public Outreach and Impact: Though her research is highly specialized, greater public engagement or outreach could enhance the visibility and impact of her work. By communicating the relevance of her projects (e.g., cancer detection) in a broader context, she could reach a wider audience and potentially attract more funding or recognition.
4. Mentorship and Supervision: As her career progresses, Asmaa may benefit from taking on more mentoring and supervisory roles for junior researchers or graduate students. This would not only help build the next generation of researchers but also further establish her leadership in the academic community.

Education

Dr. Asmaa Ibrahim Afifi Mohammed holds a comprehensive academic background in electronics and communications engineering. She completed her Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Tohoku University, Japan (2022), focusing on “High Gain Dielectric Antenna for Wireless Communication.” Dr. Afifi obtained her Doctoral Degree from the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) in 2020, with a dissertation on “Design and Development of MIMO Antennas for Wireless Communications.” Her Master’s Degree, also from E-JUST, was completed in 2017 with research on “Breast Cancer Detection using Antennas and Resonators.” Prior to her graduate studies, she completed courses at Ain Shams University (2013-2015), covering a wide range of topics in electrical engineering. Dr. Afifi earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Al-Azhar University in 2012, with a focus on wireless control systems, marking the beginning of her professional journey in electronics and communications.

Experience

Dr. Asmaa Ibrahim Afifi Mohammed has over a decade of professional experience in electronics and communications research. She is currently a Microstrip Circuits Researcher at the Electronics Research Institute in Cairo, Egypt, where she has worked since December 2020. Prior to this role, she served as an Assistant Researcher from 2018 to 2020 and as a Research Assistant from 2013 to 2018 at the same institution. Dr. Afifi has contributed significantly to the design and development of advanced antennas and circuits, focusing on MIMO antennas and dielectric resonators. In addition to her research work, Dr. Afifi has teaching experience as a lecturer at Al-Azhar University, where she taught Microwave Engineering and Electromagnetic Fields in 2021. She is also involved in international collaborations, serving as a reviewer for prominent journals and conferences. Dr. Afifi is currently a team member of the Train Avoidance Collision System project funded by Transport Canada.

Research Focus

Dr. Asmaa Ibrahim Afifi Mohammed’s research interests span several critical areas within wireless communications and medical applications. Her primary focus is on the development of MIMO antennas for improved wireless communication systems, addressing challenges such as mutual coupling and signal integrity. She is also heavily involved in the design and development of dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs), which are essential for various communication and sensor applications. Dr. Afifi explores RF planar passive components for efficient signal transmission and minimization of interference. A significant part of her work is dedicated to microwave imaging for breast cancer detection, employing advanced antenna designs for early diagnosis. She is also involved in fabricating thin-film hybrid integrated components for antenna and circuit applications, enhancing their performance and functionality. Dr. Afifi’s current research contributions extend to innovative applications in metamaterials and the use of nanomaterials for antenna technologies.

Publication Top Notes

• Can hexaferrite composites be used as a new artificial material for antenna applications? – MA Darwish, AI Afifi, AS Abd El-Hameed, HF Abosheiasha, AMA Henaish 📡🧲
• A compact ultra-wideband monopole antenna for breast cancer detection – AI Afifi, AB Abdel-Rahman, A Allam, AS Abd El-Hameed 📡🎗️
• Small frequency ratio multi-band dielectric resonator antenna utilizing vertical metallic strip pairs feeding structure – AI Afifi, AB Abdel-Rahman, AS Abd El-Hameed, A Allam, SM Ahmed 🧲📡
• Performance improvement of substrate integrated cavity fed dipole array antenna using ENZ metamaterial for 5G applications – S El-Nady, RR Elsharkawy, AI Afifi, AS Abd El-Hameed 📡📶
• Dual Broadband Coplanar Waveguide-Fed Slot Antenna for 5G Applications – AI Afifi, DM Elsheakh, AB Abdel-Rahman, A Allam, SM Ahmed 📶📡
• Dual Port MIMO Antenna with Low Mutual Coupling Based on Asymmetric EBG Decoupling Structure – AI Afifi, AS Abd El-Hameed, A Allam, SM Ahmed, AB Abdel-Rahman 📡🔄
• Sugar and Salt Concentration Detection in Water Employing ENZ Metamaterial Microwave Sensor – S El-Nady, A Afifi, AS Abd El-Hameed 💧📡
• Multiband circularly-polarized stacked elliptical patch antenna with eye-shaped slot for GNSS applications – A Abdalrazik, A Gomaa, A Afifi 🌍📡
• Ring resonator for breast cancer and broken bones detection – AI Afifi, AB Abdel-Rahman 🎗️📡
• Quad ports dielectric resonator antenna with simple feed network and high gain performance – AI Afifi, AS Abd El-Hameed, A Allam, SM Ahmed, AB Abdel-Rahman 📡💡
• Nanomaterials for Antenna Applications – AS Abd El-Hameed, AI Afifi, MA Darwish, T Alex 📡⚙️

Conclusion

Asmaa Ibrahim Afifi Mohammed is a highly qualified and accomplished researcher, with a proven track record of significant contributions to her field. Her expertise in antenna technology, particularly in areas with real-world applications like healthcare, combined with her international research experience, positions her as an exceptional candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her work is both academically strong and practically relevant, showcasing a blend of innovation, technical proficiency, and societal impact. While there are areas where she could expand or diversify her work, these are relatively minor in comparison to her overall accomplishments. Therefore, I strongly recommend her for the award based on her research excellence, professional experience, and commitment to advancing the field of electronics and communications engineering.