Research

A distinguished and diverse engineering faculty at NYU Abu Dhabi engages in state-of-the-art research, innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship spanning five central themes:

• Biomedical and Health Systems

  Biomedical and Health Systems concerns the science of health and wellness to unlock the mysteries of disease and genetic maladies and the engineering technology that is the bridge to deliver healthcare to people. The engineering aspects of this vast field of study include the interfacing of engineered systems with biological and anatomical systems; the measurement of physiological parameters; bio-sensing and detection of disease, disease agents, and impending failures; imaging; delivery of targeted therapeutics; and others.
  

  The use of computational techniques in organizing and interpreting the great volume of data being collected worldwide, including genetic information, and algorithms to predict disease markers and therapeutic molecules is a new and powerful technological advance in this field. Biomaterials, bio-compatible materials and bioresorbable materials, micro-biodevices, and use of wireless and computer technologies in patient care round out some of the multidisciplinary areas that draw from several different traditional engineering disciplines.

  Research Labs

  Lab	Principal Investigator
  Advanced Microfluidics and Microdevices Laboratory	Mohammad A. Qasaimeh
  Integrated BioElectronics Lab	Sohmyung Ha
  Laboratory for Immuno Bioengineering Research and Applications (LIBRA)	Jeremy Teo
  Micro- and Nanoscale Bioengineering Lab	Rafael Song
  NetBio Group	Andras Gyorgy
• Cybersecurity

  Cybersecurity concerns the security and privacy considerations stemming from the ubiquitous use of technology. Systems that use electronic and computational hardware and software permeate every sphere of human life and are at the core of every modern engineered system. Furthermore, these systems consist of interconnected devices that allow objects to be sensed and/or controlled remotely, creating opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems, and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit in addition to reduced human intervention. At the same time, there is now a wider attack surface for malicious entities to create harm in a wide variety of ways, such as stealing/manipulation of sensitive information and/or assets, creating disruption in critical infrastructures, etc.

  This crucial research program involves multi-disciplinary research in security and privacy in broad range of areas, such as cryptology, digital forensics, trusted hardware design, smart grid security, economics of information security in critical infrastructure, transportation security, system and network security, mission critical system security, and cyber infrastructure connections and security.

  Research Labs

  Lab	Principal Investigator
  Center for Cybersecurity	Hoda Al Khzaimi
  Design for Excellence Lab	Ozgur Sinanoglu
  Modern Microprocessor Architectures Lab	Michail Maniatakos
  Photonics Research Lab	Mahmoud Rasras
• Environmental Sustainability

  Environmental Sustainability explores how the needs of a growing world population for improved living standards (including needs for energy, housing, mobility, and water) are met in a sustainable manner. Courses in this program include Life-Cycle Assessment of Infrastructure Systems, Chemistry, Biology, Materials Science, Modeling and Analysis, System Control Theory, and Sensing Technology. Examples of research include design of energy- efficient buildings, low-carbon transportation systems, clean water technologies, desalination technologies, environmental robotics, and chemical micro-sensors.
  

  Lab Name	Principal Investigator
  Advanced Materials and Building Efficiency Research Laboratory	Kemal Celik
  Laboratory of Applied Nonlinear Dynamics	Mohammed Daqaq
  Water Research Center	Nidal Hilal
• Robotics

  Robotics is a multidisciplinary research area that address the theory of mechanics, sensing, planning, and control of intelligent robots in the physical world. The program examines consolidated methodologies and technologies of robotics systems including robot design, sensing and perception, manipulation and interfaces, mobile and distributed robotics, and human-robot interaction.

  From a largely dominated industrial focus, robotics has been rapidly expanding into the challenges of the human world (human-centered and life-like robotics). Therefore, the new generation of robots is expected to safely and dependably co-habitat with humans in homes, workspaces, and communities, providing support services, entertainment, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and assistance.

  Furthermore, the program considers also a much wider range of applications than physical robots, reaching across diverse research areas and scientific disciplines, such as: biomechanics, haptics, neuroscience, virtual simulation, animation, surgery, and sensor networks. It is indeed at the intersection of disciplines that the most striking advances are expected to happen.

  Research Labs

  Lab	Principal Investigator
  Applied Interactive Multimedia Lab	Mohamad Eid
  Multimedia and Visual Computing Lab	Yi Fang
  Narrative Technologies and Spatial Installations	Felix Beck
• Urban Systems

  Urban Systems concerns the technological challenges and innovations for the smooth functioning and sustaining of urban centers. Earth is increasingly becoming an urban planet; for the first time in history, more than 50 percent of the world's population now lives in cities. The challenges associated with a sustainable, engaging, and harmonious urban environment require a multidisciplinary approach that integrates various technologies and disciplines.
  

  The program examines urban infrastructure design, monitoring, and management; smart materials; power systems; energy efficiency; transportation planning and management; security and safety; telecommunications; resource usage and recycling; supply chains; environmental engineering; and other engineered systems that have an impact on urban living.

  Research Labs

  Lab	Principal Investigator
  Center for the Interacting Urban Networks	Monica Menendez
  Transportation Infrastructure Management	Samer Madanat
  S.M.A.R.T. Construction Research Group	Borja De Soto