PERSONAL

 

Brief Biography

Professor Abdel-Malek is nationally and internationally known in modeling and simulation, particularly in real-time kinematics and dynamics of robotics.  He has created numerical formalisms for solving the kinematics and dynamics of open-loop systems, particularly for applications in human modeling and simulation.   He is recognized for his work on swept volumes and robot manipulator kinematics.  

Dr. Abdel-Malek is Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, is the Director of the Center for Computer Aided Design (CCAD), a twenty five year old research center at the College of Engineering.  Dr. Abdel-Malek has seen the growth of CCAD from an organization with 26 researchers and a budget of $1.6M to a strong and vibrant research organization of 148 researchers and a budget of $9.5M.     Dr. Abdel-Malek established six units within CCAD, each having its independent personnel structure, including the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS).   

NADS is a federal facility that was built by the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA).   This unit employs about 40 staff members and some students and has been faced with some turmoil over the past 4 years.  As a result, a major re-organization at the University has occurred, restructuring the unit to report to Dr. Abdel-Malek.  Dr. Abdel-Malek has directed the unit through a difficult time to come out of a severe debt and to a healthy track.

Dr. Abdel-Malek received his MS and PhD degree in Robotics from the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Jordan. He has authored or co-authored over 100 technical papers in the field (65 journal, 80 conference, 10 technical reports) and 1 US Patent. He is the recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship, the IASTE Scholarship, the 2004 Outstanding Paper Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, the 2000 John T. Parsons Outstanding Manufacturing Engineer award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), The 2001 Arch T. Colwell best paper award from the Society of Automotive Engineers for his pioneering work on “Understanding the workspace of the upper extremities”, was nominated to the Academy of Sciences Frontiers of Engineers, and he serves on several national and international committees of conferences and review panels.  Dr. Abdel-Malek is the Associate Editor of the International Journal of Robotics and Automation and the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Human Modeling and Simulation.

Director, US Army Virtual Soldier Research (VSR) program

Dr. Abdel-Malek is the Director of the Virtual Soldier Research program at the University of Iowa, where he manages a multi-million dollar program funded by the US Army towards developing novel technologies for simulating humans in the digital world to help accomplish the Army’s Transformation vision.    The VSR program comprises 34 members (9 faculty members, 8 professional staff members, 15 graduate students, and a number of undergraduate students).  As Principal Investigator, Dr. Abdel-Malek has ultimate responsibilities for advancing this technology, making deliverables to the military, and continuing the funding for years to come. The VSR has developed a large well-equipped laboratory for conducting state-of-the-art research. 

 

HOBBIES

VizTek, Inc.:  Dr. Abdel-Malek is the founder of this company.  It started in his basement and evolved to a successful company. 
Sports: Yes, although not evident by his looks at the moment, he used to be a real sportsman, mainly waterpolo playing for the country of Jordan.
Fast cars: yes, but trafic tickets have reduced that hobby, significantly... very significantly.

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

 

Guest Editor, CAD Journal, special issue on Human Modeling and Simulation (2006).

Outstanding Paper Award, International Engineering Congress, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), The 3rd Symposium on Virtual Manufacturing and Application, November 13-19, 2004 Anaheim, Calif.

Appointed Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Human Factors Modeling and Simulation, Inderscience Publishers.
Appointed Associate Editor, International Journal of Robotics and Automation, IASTED, published by ACTA Press.
  2002 Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award, EON reality, Irvine, CA (for “…most innovative implementation of software…”, selected from over 7000 users.
2002 SAE Arch T. Colwell best paper award for “Towards understanding the workspace of the upper extremities” , selected from 3000 papers for trechnical Merit, Society of Automotive Engineers.
Listed in: Who's Who in Engineering Education 2002.
DaVinci celebration leadership and excellence award, State of Iowa (2001).
Nominated to the Frontiers of Engineering (2000), National Academy of Engineering.
SME 2000 John T. Parsons Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, 2000, Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Old Gold Summer Fellowship, University of Iowa, 1999
Carver Scientific Research Award, 1995, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
CIFRE Award, 1995, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
UTI Corp. funding, 1991/92 and 1992/93, University of Pennsylvania
University Fellowship, 1990/91, University of Pennsylvania, fully funded
Fulbright Scholar, 1988-90, USIA, University of Pennsylvania
IAESTE Scholar, 1987, University of Twente, Enschede, Holland.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

University

Position

Dates

Comments

University of Iowa

Director, National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS)

03/06 – present

(due to a re-organization at the UI, NADS was made to report to CCAD)

Description of Duties

1.      Integrate the unit into the University of Iowa structure.

2.      Provide leadership to a faculty, professional staff, and students

3.      Provide a strategic vision for the unit, in terms of growth and partnerships.

4.      Redirect the unit to better integrate within the mission of the College of Engineering with a focus on research, student and faculty involvement.

5.      Reset the unit on a path to success.

 

University

Position

Dates

Comments

University of Iowa

Director, Center for Computer Aided Design (CCAD)

06/05 – present

A major Board-of-Regents approved research organization, 148 personnel, $9M budget, 5 units.

Description of Duties

1.   Provide leadership to the unit consisting of five departments with a total of 148 researchers (38 faculty members, 40 professional staff, 50 graduate students, and 20 undergraduate students).

2.   Provide for the growth of CCAD, and the overall health of the CCAD’s network of support;

3.    Establish long term strategic partnerships and alliances with key industries, government agencies, and military institutions.

4.    Provide clear and effective communications with the Dean of Engineering, the Advisory Board, the Vice President for Research, and the Director of Governmental Relations.

5.    Manage the pursuit of funding from CCAD to public, private, governmental, and military organizations.

6.   Provide for development, direction, support and quality of program models

Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (08/2005)
Director of Project Development, CCAD, The University of Iowa, June 1, 2004- present
Director of the US Army Virtual Soldier Research Program, October 1, 2003-present
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, June 1, 2004-present
Associate Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineerin, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 2001-present
Senior Research Scientist, Center for Computer Aided Design, 1994-present
Assistant Professor, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 1998-2001
Assistant Professor, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, 1996-1998
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Teaching: Automatic Controls, Elasticity and Plasticity, Mechanical Design, Modeling Systems Dynamics, and an intermediate level class in Robotics.

Assistant Professor, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 1994-1996
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Teaching Dynamics, Principles of Design, Robotics, Graduate Mechanical Seminar, and Fundamentals of Vibrations, Advising (15 undergraduate students), Supervising 3 MS students and 3 PhD students

Primary Appointment, Center for Computer Aided Design (CCAD), The University of Iowa 1994-1996

Engineering Consultant, UTI Corporation, Collegeville, PA, Jan,1990-July,1994

  • Oversee the design and development of advanced automation, Robotics and artificial intelligence projects for all the divisions (Utitec Inc., Waterbury, CT, Kleiner Metals, Inc., S. Plainfield, NJ, and Uniform Tubes, Inc., Collegeville, PA)
    •


    RESEARCH AND DESIGN EXPERIENCE

    Research Assistant, University of Twente, 1987, Enschede, Holland,
    Research in Injection Molding Technology,
    Testing different types of polymeric materials,
    Using mathematical models developed at the University of Twente.

    Engineer in Training, Decoufle, (Machine Manufacturing Company) 1986, Evry, France
    Courses in Mechanics and Electronics of Machines

    Project Engineer in Training, Hercules Ltd., (Film Division) 1986, Ipswich, England
    Designed an air blower cooling device for a blow molding machine.

     

    TEACHING EXPERIENCE

    Assistant Professor, American University of Beirut
    Elasticity and Plasticity, Dynamic Systems Analysis, Automatic Control, Mechanical Design, and CAD/CAM.

    Assistant Professor, The University of Iowa
    Dynamics, Graduate Mechanical Seminar, Vibrations, Principles of Design, Robotics, Individual Investigations

    Adjunct Assistant Professor, Penn State University,
    Great Valley Graduate Center, Spring 1994, Department of Engineering
    Taught a course "Mechanical Behavior of Materials", graduate students

    Adjunct Assistant Professor, Temple University, Fall 1993
    Department of Mechanical Engineering
    College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Architecture
    Organized and taught Industrial Robotics course and laboratory for senior undergraduate students.

    Teaching Assistant, University of Pennsylvania, 1990-1991
    Supervised General Mechanics Laboratory for senior undergraduate students.


    Editorial Offices

    Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Human Factors Modeling and Simulation

    Associate Editor, International Journal of Robotics and Automation

     

     

    List of Invited Lectures (Conference presentations are not listed)

     

    Date                                                 Location                          Host Organization                 Title/Description

    Jan . 26, 2000        Muscatine, IA          Hon Industries                   Kinematics for Human Modeling

    Feb. 3, 2000          Detroit, MI              DaimlerChrysler                Mathematically Based Ergonomics

    Feb. 3, 2000          Dearborn, MI          Ford                                Mathematically Based Ergonomics

    March 1, 2000      Decora, IA             Rockwell-Collins               Kinematics for Human Modeling

    March 6, 2000      Warren, MI              GM Tech Center               Mathematically Based Ergonomics

    March 6, 2000      Ann Arbor, MI         EAI                                  Mathematically Based Ergonomics

    April 12, 2000        Fort Wayne, IN        Navistar                            Mathematically Based Ergonomics

    May 2, 2000          Iowa City, IA          Deere-Dubuque                Windchill and CAM-I

    May 11, 2000        Moline, IL                John Deere (Tech)            Mathematically Based Ergonomics

    June 5, 2000          Detroit, MI               DaimlerChrysler                Advanced Manufacturing (features)

    June 20, 2000        Arlington, TX           CAM-I, International        Smart CAD Feature Recognition

    July 19, 2000         Seattle, WA            PACCAR                         Kinematics in human modeling

    Sept. 26, 2000       Moline, IL               Deere Tech. Center          Kinematics for Human Modeling

    Sept. 14, 2000       Baltimore, MD        NSF-NIOSH                     Ergonomics and human modeling

    June 13, 2001        Muscatine, IA         HON Tech Center           Digital Humans for Workspace analysis

    Nov. 2, 2001         Iowa City, IA          Dept. of Anatomy             Visualization of Complex Objects

    Nov. 13, 2001       Ann Arbor, IA        Univ. of Michigan              Optimization based ergonomic design

    Feb. 24, 2002        Warren, MI             US Army TACOM          PC based virtual reality

    April 4, 2002        Rolla, MO               University of Missouri       Virtual Humans

    April 9, 2002        Iowa City, IA          Public Policy Center         Digital Human Modeling

    April 24, 2002       Iowa City, IA          MI Surgical Center           Robotic Surgery-an overview

    Septem 10, 2002   Amana, IA              MAYTAG CEO              Virtual Prototyping

    Septem 27, 2002  Iowa City, IA           UI Neurosurgery               Modeling and Simulation at Iowa

    April 17, 2003        Iowa City, IA           UI ECE                            Human modeling and Simulation

    July 3, 200             Amman, Jordan       RJ Military Chairman        Military real-time Simulation

    July 29, 2003         Louisville, KY         GE Appliances                 Interactive real-time simulation

    August 11, 2003   Denver, CO            Davis Partnership Arch    Interactive Real-time simulation

    Septe 15, 2003      Cedar Rapids, IA    Rockwell Collins               Interactive Real-time simulation

    January 7, 2004    Cedar Rapids, IA    Rockwell Collins                Visualization and VR

    January 13, 2004  Amman, Jordan       RJ Air Force                     Real-time Simulation/Air Combat

    February 2004      Iowa City, IA          ME Dept Seminar            Virtual Soldier Research (VSR)

    February 2004      Iowa City, IA          IE   Dept Seminar             VSR

    Feb 26, 2004        Cedar Rapids, IA    Rockwell Collins                VSR

    February 2004      Iowa City, IA          ME Dept Grad Seminar    VSR

    March 1, 2004       Des Moines, IA       Pioneer (Dupont)              VSR

    March 8, 2004      Iowa City, IA          United Defense                 VSR

    April 1, 2004         West Lafayette, IN          Purdue                     Task-based prediction of Human Motion

    April 22, 2004        Cedar Falls, IA         Iowa Academy Science    Keynote speaker: VSR

    April 2, 2004        Natick, MA              US Army Soldier Center   VSR

    April 9, 2004        Iowa City, IA          CCAD Advisory Board   Digital Humans Effort at CCAD

    April 22, 2004       Iowa City, IA          CoE Advisory Board         State of Modeling and Simulation

    May 18, 2004        Minneapolis, MN      UD Armaments Division   VSR

    June 16, 2004        Rochester, MI          DHM Conference            VSR

    June 28, 2004        Rhodes, Greece        IASTED                          VSR

    July 21, 2004         Amman, Jordan       Rotary Cosmopolitan        VSR

    Sept 27, 2004       Iowa City, IA            Honda International          VSR

    Oct. 1, 2004           Iowa City, IA           CoE Advisory Board        VSR/CCAD

     

    Reviewer for
    ASME Journal of Mechanical Design
    IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation
    Computer Aided Design
    IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging
    Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications
    Journal of Biomechanics
    International Journal of Robotics and Automation
    Journal of Biomechanics
    Ergonomics