Nouran ElMesalami
Postdoctoral Associate
Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: PhD, New York University, Tandon School of Engineering; MSc Eng American University of Sharjah; BSc Eng American University of Sharjah
Research Websites: AMBER Lab
Research Areas: Construction Materials; Structural Engineering; Sustainable Construction and Structural Materials
Nouran Elmesalami is a Postdoctoral Associate in civil engineering with AMBER Lab at New York University in Abu Dhabi. She holds a PhD degree in civil engineering from New York University, Tandon School of Engineering. She completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the American University of Sharjah (AUS), graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Elmesalami's expertise spans sustainable construction materials and structural engineering. Her doctoral research focused on reactive magnesia-based, low-carbon cement, including material characterization, advanced investigations of reaction pathways, and the development of high-performance concrete. During her bachelor's and master's studies, she investigated sustainable construction and structural materials, including the use of recycled aggregates and treated wastewater in concrete production and road base and subbase construction. Her research also examined the behavior of concrete members reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer bars as a sustainable alternative to conventional steel reinforcement.
Before joining New York University, Elmesalami worked as a bridge engineer at AECOM Middle East Limited in Dubai, one of the world's leading design firms, as ranked by Engineering News-Record. Her work involved the structural design and design verification of bridges, underpasses, culverts, and associated structures, as well as specialized bridge components such as bearings and expansion joints. She contributed to several major infrastructure projects within and beyond the UAE, including improvements to the Dubai Expo 2020 road network and the Etihad Rail project, which forms part of the wider GCC railway network.
Her selected achievements include receiving the American Concrete Institute Foundation Middle East and North Africa Fellowship in 2022, being named to the AUS Chancellor's Distinguished List for three consecutive years, and receiving the Sheikh Khalifa Presidential Scholarship during her undergraduate studies. Nouran completed her master's degree while working full-time as a bridge engineer and received the AUS Graduate Student Research, Scholarly, and Creative Work Excellence Award.