AUS researchers named among world’s top 2% in Stanford–Elsevier List 2025

Research excellence at American University of Sharjah (AUS) has been recognized in the Stanford–Elsevier Top Scientists List 2025, with 37 AUS scholars named among the world’s top two percent of scientists. Of these, 24 were recognized for their career-long global impact, while 30 were honored for their influence in 2024. Seventeen AUS researchers appeared in both categories, underscoring the sustained and continuing influence of their scholarship. This international recognition underscores the university’s growing role in shaping knowledge worldwide.

Developed jointly by Stanford University and academic publisher Elsevier, the annual list identifies the world’s most influential scientists using data from Scopus, one of the largest databases for peer-reviewed research. The ranking is based on a composite score that looks at how often a scholars' work is cited and the significance of their work, focusing on real impact and not just productivity. Covering 22 scientific fields and 174 subfields, the list provides a comprehensive view of scholarly influence. The 2025 edition, the seventh release of the ranking, is based on a Scopus snapshot taken on August 1, 2025, and includes citation data through the end of 2024.

In the career-long category, faculty members recognized exclusively for their sustained global research influence include Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS and Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Matthias Ruth, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost and Professor of Economics; Dr. Sameer Al-Asheh, Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Dr. Rached Dhaouadi, Professor of Electrical Engineering;  Dr. Mohammad Hamdan, Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Moncer Hariga, Professor of Industrial Engineering; and Dr. Habib-ur Rehman, Professor of Electrical Engineering.

In the single-year category, which reflects research achievements during 2024, those recognized exclusively for this distinction include Dr. Waad Abuwatfa, AUS PhD in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) graduate; Dr. Mohammad AlHamaydeh, Professor of Civil Engineering; Dr. Amani Al-Othman, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Petrofac Endowed Chair in Renewable Energy; Dr. Nour AlSawaftah, AUS PhD MSE graduate; Dr. Hasnan Baber, Assistant Professor of Management, Strategy and Entrepreneurship; Dr. Rodrigo Basco, Professor of Management, Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid bin Khalid Al-Qassimi Chair in Family Business; Dr. Rabin Chakrabortty, Postdoctoral Fellow of Civil Engineering; Dr. George Christodoulides, Professor of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, Chalhoub Professor in Luxury Brand Management, and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation; Dr. Basil Darras, Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Mehdi Ghommem, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and College of Engineering Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Outreach; Dr. Amin Majdalawieh, Professor and Head of the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences; Dr. Mehmet Orhan, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering; and Dr. Mostafa Shaaban, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of the Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Center. 

A number of AUS researchers were recognized in both the career-long and single-year categories, reflecting the sustained and continuing impact of their scholarship. These include Dr. Steve Griffiths, Vice Chancellor for Research; Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the College of Engineering; Dr. Jamal Abdalla, Professor of Civil Engineering; Dr. Farid Abed, Professor of Civil Engineering and Dana Gas Endowed Chair; Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ali, Professor Emeritus of Computer Engineering; Dr. Ayman Badawi, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics; Dr. Mohamed BenDaya, Professor of Industrial Engineering; Dr. Giacomo Chiozza, Professor of International Studies and Esa Saleh Al Gurg Professor in International Studies; Dr. Sameh El-Sayegh, Professor and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and Master of Science in Construction Management Program Academic Coordinator; Dr. Samir Emam, Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Rami Hawileh, Professor of Civil Engineering and Riad T. Sadik Chair in Civil Engineering; Dr. Ghaleb Husseini, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Professor of Chemical Engineering; Dr. John Klironomos, Professor of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Associate Dean for Research and Innovation; Govindhan Maduraiveeran, Senior Laboratory Specialist at CAS; Dr. Mohamed Feras Salama, Professor of Accounting and Information Systems; Dr. Yousef Salamin, Professor of Physics; and Dr. Tamer Shanableh, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering.

“What makes this recognition especially meaningful is the diversity of AUS researchers represented, reflecting the global relevance of research being carried out across our colleges. Our faculty are clearly contributing to their disciplines while positioning AUS as a hub for thought leadership in the region. We will continue to invest in building an environment where such research excellence can thrive,” said Dr. Griffiths.

Research at AUS is central to its mission of advancing knowledge and addressing global and regional challenges. This work is supported by six interdisciplinary research centers in areas such as sustainability, healthcare, artificial intelligence and cultural heritage, along with endowed chairs, professorships and advanced laboratories. Oversight is provided by the University Research and Creative Works Council, which sets strategy and fosters collaboration with government, industry and international partners. AUS ranks among the top five universities in the UAE for citations per faculty in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with faculty research regularly drawn upon by scholars worldwide.

For more information on research at AUS, visit www.aus.edu/research.