Assistant Professor & Undergraduate Program Director

Department of Electrical Engineering, Fowler School of Engineering

Email: [email protected]

BACKGROUND:

Maryam (as she describes it, "It's complicated!") brings a unique international perspective to her role. She holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces in STEM education.

EDUCATION:

• PhD: Electrical Engineering

CAREER INSPIRATION:

"Love for Education. I was inspired to pursue a career in engineering and education because I see the profound impact that quality education and mentorship can have on students' lives and futures."

WHAT DRIVES HER:

"What drives me is the opportunity to show that women, especially in traditionally male-dominated fields like engineering, can build meaningful careers while also having fulfilling personal lives and families. When I was younger, I rarely saw examples of women who were both successful engineers and present in their family lives.

Now, I feel a responsibility to help change that narrative. I want young girls to see that it is possible to pursue challenging technical careers, lead teams, conduct research, and still prioritize family and personal values. Representation matters. When a young girl sees someone like her succeeding in engineering, the path suddenly feels more achievable. That idea motivates me every day."

CHALLENGE OVERCOME:

"In technical meetings or engineering environments, I sometimes felt that I had to prove my expertise more than others in the room. I overcame this by letting the quality of my work and my achievements speak for itself."

CURRENT ROLE:

"At Chapman University's Fowler School of Engineering, I teach undergraduate courses in Electrical Engineering and work closely with students to build strong foundations in engineering principles and problem solving.

I also serve as the Undergraduate Program Director, where I oversee aspects of the undergraduate program such as curriculum development, course planning, and supporting students as they progress through the program. In this role, I collaborate with faculty to continuously improve the curriculum and ensure that our program prepares students for careers in engineering and graduate study.

In addition to teaching and program leadership, I lead a half-million-dollar NSF grant focused on STEM education and inclusive technology. Through this project, I mentor a group of highly motivated undergraduate students who participate in research, development, and outreach. Many of these students gain hands-on research experience, contribute to publications, and present their work at conferences."

WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT CHAPMAN:

"What I love most about Chapman is the students and the supportive culture that encourages everyone to flourish. At the Fowler School of Engineering, there is a strong belief that every student has the potential to succeed when they are given the right opportunities and support.