Code design and modelling to improve testing, 3D printing of medical parts and devices, and strategies to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) are just a few of the projects that faculty and researchers at Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq), a Qatar Foundation (QF) partner university, are investigating during the pandemic.
A committee comprising members from Texas A&M’s campuses in Education City and in College Station, Texas (US), has selected the following projects for funding:
Code Design and Modelling to Improve Testing — Dr Joseph Boutros and Dr Hussein Alnuweiri, Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Establishing Aerosol Virus Monitoring Capability in Qatar for Mitigation of Covid-19 and Future Epidemics — Dr Bing Guo.
3D Printing of Critical Need Medical Parts and Devices — Dr Bilal Mansoor and Dr Marwan Khraisheh, Mechanical Engineering.
Investigation of the feasibility of large-scale sterilisation of medical, industrial and food using electron beam technologies — Dr Othmane Bouhali, Science (physics).
Tailored prevention of coronavirus — Dr Konstantinos Kakosimos, Chemical Engineering.
Investigation of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the control of the process safety risk in major hazards industries in Qatar: Data collection, analysis and recommendations — Dr Luc Vechot, Chemical Engineering.
Public health information and linguistic diversity in Qatar amidst the Covid-19 pandemic — Dr Sara Hillman, Liberal Arts.
The projects are part of Tamuq’s Covid-19 Response Programme that is funding short-term, high-impact projects that support Qatar’s efforts to combat the outbreak of the virus, said Dr Hassan S Bazzi, associate dean for research and advancement.
“The work to combat Covid-19 is an international endeavour that universities and institutions around the world are working to address, including our main campus,” Bazzi said. “We are all in this together and any progress will benefit our communities in Qatar and in Texas. We are also working with our partners in QF, Hamad Medical Corporation, and the Ministry of Public Health, on different projects aimed at combating the virus.”
Dr Cesar Octavio Malave, dean of Tamuq, said the response from faculty to the call for proposals and the breadth of projects submitted showcase the depth of Tamuq’s expertise and the innovation and creativity of its faculty researchers.
“Faculty members at Tamuq are known for more than just educating outstanding engineers,” Malve said. “Our faculty are renowned experts in their fields and known for innovating solutions to real-world challenges in Qatar and worldwide. The way our faculty have risen to the occasion to serve Qatar by lending their expertise in new and creative ways — while continuing to teach classes and support our students online — makes me proud to be a part of this community. We truly are engineering leaders in Qatar.”
Establishing Aerosol Virus Monitoring Capability in Qatar for mitigation of Covid-19 and future epidemics with Dr Bing Guo.
