Alumni Focus: Muna Khushaim, Ph.D. 2015 - Material Science and Engineering
Muna Khushaim is a material scientist and assistant professor in the physics department of Taibah University in Saudi Arabia. Khushaim completed her Ph.D. at KAUST in December of 2015 in material science and engineering. In 2007, she graduated with a master's degree in theoretical nuclear physics from King Abdulaziz University and completed her undergraduate degree in 2002 in science and education from Saudi Arabia's College of Education.
Khushaim describes herself as “the only Saudi expert of a complicated analytical technique called atom probe tomography,” and noted that her time and use of the facilities at KAUST greatly benefited her by exposing her to many sophisticated analytical techniques and helping her to cultivate a higher level of knowledge.
“I came to KAUST because it is an ideal place to obtain a high level of knowledge in part due to the unique facilities. Moreover, KAUST is a family campus where I could study for my Ph.D., and at the same time my kids had good opportunities on campus to grow and obtain good educations,” she added.
“At KAUST, I learned different important concepts such as inspiration, patience, persistence and accepting challenges. These concepts helped to create a strong impact in my academic career as an assistant professor,” she said.
Her advice to current KAUST students is to make their time on campus productive and take advantage of the facilities and opportunities available to them.
“Don't waste your time—make your time in KAUST useful and at the same time enjoy everything on campus. The University is an ideal place for learning and developing your thinking,” she said.
- By David Murphy, KAUST News
Muna Khushaim is a material scientist and assistant professor in the physics department of Taibah University in Saudi Arabia. Khushaim completed her Ph.D. at KAUST in December of 2015 in material science and engineering. In 2007, she graduated with a master's degree in theoretical nuclear physics from King Abdulaziz University and completed her undergraduate degree in 2002 in science and education from Saudi Arabia's College of Education.
Khushaim describes herself as “the only Saudi expert of a complicated analytical technique called atom probe tomography,” and noted that her time and use of the facilities at KAUST greatly benefited her by exposing her to many sophisticated analytical techniques and helping her to cultivate a higher level of knowledge.
“I came to KAUST because it is an ideal place to obtain a high level of knowledge in part due to the unique facilities. Moreover, KAUST is a family campus where I could study for my Ph.D., and at the same time my kids had good opportunities on campus to grow and obtain good educations,” she added.
Khushaim highlighted how beneficial her time at KAUST was on a professional and personal level, adding that she constantly “communicated, learned, honed skills and reshaped [her] personality."
“At KAUST, I learned different important concepts such as inspiration, patience, persistence and accepting challenges. These concepts helped to create a strong impact in my academic career as an assistant professor,” she said.
Her advice to current KAUST students is to make their time on campus productive and take advantage of the facilities and opportunities available to them.
“Don't waste your time—make your time in KAUST useful and at the same time enjoy everything on campus. The University is an ideal place for learning and developing your thinking,” she said.
- By David Murphy, KAUST News
Related stories
- Building minds at KAUST
- Inaugural in-Kingdom Alumni Chapter reunion held at KAUST
- WEP 2015 Alumni Lecture Series