Four Faculty Join ECE for 2023 Academic Year

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty is gaining four new members this academic year. These hires come amid 18 other hires in the College of Engineering, a record high. 

Mai Abdelmalek

Abdelmalek earned her Ph.D. in wireless technology from Florida International University and went on to work as a postdoctoral associate at Virginia Tech’s Wireless Lab. She researches many areas, including next-generation cellular, 5G networks, electric vehicles, secure Internet of Things Networks and device-to-device communications.

“Several factors attracted me to the University of Arizona,” said Abdelmak, who is starting as an assistant professor of practice. “Its reputation and vibrant academic environment, innovative research, and overall friendly and inviting environment.”

Ehsan Azimi

Azimi joins the ECE Department from Johns Hopkins University, where he worked as an assistant research professor in computer science. His research specialties include augmented reality, robotics and human-computer interaction. He holds a doctoral degree in computer science from Johns Hopkins University and has also worked at Harvard Medical School.

Christos Gagatsos

Gagatsos first joined the UA’s Wyant College of Optical Sciences in 2018 as a postdoctoral research associate, working on a team specializing in quantum technologies. He was promoted to an assistant research professor in 2020 and joined ECE in 2023 as an assistant professor. He received his Ph.D. from ULB, Ecole Polytechnique de Bruxelles, and he also worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Warwick.

His research focuses on quantum information science and related technologies, such as quantum sensing, communications and computing.

Eung-Joo Lee

Lee joins the university from Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, where he was a postdoctoral research fellow. He completed his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on developing deep learning systems that use computationally efficient models, specifically designed for embedded computer vision systems and medical imaging applications. However, it also extends to developing intelligent systems for other applications, including unmanned vehicles, face analysis, hyperspectral imaging and surgical AI.

“I decided to work for the University of Arizona due to the strong support and friendly environment of the department,” he said. “Additionally, I can collaborate with other engineering departments, as well as the medical center.”