Amal Bakchan | Bakshan

Lead PI

Lead PI

Dr. Amal Bakchan is dedicated to bridging academic inquiry with real-world impact by equipping students to tackle urgent infrastructure challenges through applied, interdisciplinary work. Her teaching and mentoring approach blends technical rigor with community-centered values, integrating optimization, policy, and workforce development to address infrastructure gaps in extreme contexts.

Education & Experience

  1. Aug 2023 - Present

    Assistant Professor

    Texas A&M University
  2. Aug 2021 - July 2023

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow

    University of South Alabama
  3. Sep 2017 - July 2021

    Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering

    University of Texas at Austin
  4. Sep 2013 - June 2016

    Postgraduate Research Associate

    American University of Beirut
  5. Dec 2010 - June 2013

    Systems Engineer

    Saudi Oger Ltd, Saudi Arabia
  6. Feb 2009 - Aug 2010

    Master of Science, Engineering Management

    American University of Beirut
  7. Sep 2003 - June 2008

    Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Engineering

    Beirut Arab University

awards & recognitions

  • 2025 Outstanding Research and Scholarly Activities Award, Texas A&M University
  • 2022 Best Oral Presentation Award (Runner Up), National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
  • 2022 Best Poster Award (Runner Up), Transportation Research Board Standing Committee on Construction Management
  • Virginia Tech’s 2021 Future Faculty Diversity Program (FFDP) Fellow
  • 2020 Graduate Legacy Scholar, UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering
  • 2019 Future Faculty 5K Award, Engineering Project Organization Society
  • 2019 Kolodzey Travel Grant, UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering
  • Honorable Mention, Ford Foundation Fellowships 2018 Predoctoral Competition
  • 2017–2018 Graduate Student Fellowship, UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering
  • 2008 Outstanding Excellence Award (1st Rank 2004-2008), Beirut Arab University, School of Engineering