From Lab to Lecture: A SYDE Graduate Student’s Innovative Research and Teaching Excellence
Yasser Shama’s journey reflects a compelling blend of pioneering research and outstanding teaching contributions. As a PhD candidate in Systems Design Engineering, his dedication to innovation is evident in his work on micro inertial sensors—tiny devices used in sensing applications—and his passion for inspiring and mentoring students as a Teaching Assistant (TA).
Transforming Perceptions in Electrostatic Micro Inertial Sensor Technology
Yasser’s research focuses on investigating the physics and enhancing the performance of electrostatic micro-inertial sensors. These sensors, important to various environmental monitoring applications, should operate with high stability and repeatability. His work pioneers deploying those sensors into liquid environments, a significant leap forward for sensor technology.
A recent discovery by Yasser and his team, under the supervision of Professor Eihab Abdel-Rahman, has overturned a two-decade-long misconception about the fundamental sensing mechanism of electrostatic micro inertial gas sensors. For years, these sensors were thought to measure changes in their mass when exposed to a target gas, functioning like tiny weighing machines. This view led the industry to avoid them, as their response was thought to vary depending on their orientation relative to gravity.
However, Yasser’s research revealed a different story. These sensors detect gas concentrations by measuring how the presence of gas alters the electric field and affects their dynamic characteristics (inertia), rather than functioning like a weighing machine. This robust sensing mechanism allows the sensors to operate reliably in any orientation, making them ideal for wearable and portable applications.
“Our findings reshape perceptions and significantly expand the potential use cases for electrostatic MEMS inertial sensors,” Yasser explains. His paper, Unraveling the Nature of Sensing in Electrostatic MEMS Gas Sensors, presents a detailed exploration of these findings.
Reflecting on his research journey, Yasser remarks, “I’ve always prioritized accountability and integrity, which drive me to navigate challenges—even when going against the current—to achieve meaningful advancements. I hope these contributions will benefit others and advance the broader field.”
Dedication to teaching earns acclaim and impact
Beyond his research, Yasser has excelled as a TA creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for students. Yasser taught at Benha University in Egypt before attending the University of Waterloo. His expertise included foundational and advanced mechanical and mechatronics engineering courses, focusing on statics, systems dynamics and modelling, strength of materials and mechanical vibrations. His diverse teaching experience equips him to adapt to varying learning styles and support students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.
Being a regular TA for five courses, ranging from Systems Design Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Mechanical and Mechatronics, his commitment to teaching excellence earned him the Friend of Natalie Award in Fall 2023 and recognized as the most nominated TA in Winter 2024. Additionally, he received the prestigious Sandford Fleming Foundation TA Award for Teaching Excellence in 2024, affirming his dedication to student mentorship.
“Reading the congratulatory emails about the Sandford Fleming Foundation Award and the Friend of Natalie Award, and knowing that these honors came directly from student nominations, were among the most heartfelt moments of my academic journey,” Yasser reflects.
Yasser’s teaching philosophy emphasizes effective communication, bridges learning gaps, and fosters confidence among students. He credits the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) at the University of Waterloo for enhancing his instructional skills through the Fundamentals of University Teaching program and nearing completion of the Certificate in University Teaching (CUT).
Yasser Shama embodies the spirit of innovation and mentorship that defines excellence in academia and beyond. His research contributions and dedication to teaching continue to inspire peers and students alike, leaving a lasting impact on his field and the university community.
A distinctive aspect of Wendy’s research is her use of eye-tracking technology to understand operator attention and cognitive processes. Wendy identifies potential lapses in attention or information processing by analyzing metrics like fixation patterns, saccades, dwelling time, entry count, and entropy. These findings examined various aspects of operators’ attention allocation and eye movement behaviours, providing valuable insight into how operators with diverse backgrounds apply different gaze strategies. Furthermore, these conclusions can guide the design of interfaces and systems that reduce cognitive overload and enhance user performance.
As autonomous vehicle technology advances, Wendy explores the critical transitions between autonomous and manual control. Her work examines how operators adapt during these transitions, aiming to minimize response times and errors. Insights from her research guide the development of systems that ensure seamless handoffs and maintain safety in mixed-control scenarios.
Wendy also incorporates machine learning into her research to foster autonomous prediction of human performance. By forecasting operator behaviours and potential system failures, her models contribute to creating proactive safety mechanisms that enhance system reliability.
The Department of Systems Design Engineering is proud to show that Wendy’s research bridges challenges in transportation and aviation, where human-system interactions are becoming increasingly complex. By combining human factors methodologies with innovative technologies such as eye tracking and machine learning, Wendy is helping shape safer, more intuitive systems. Her work advances academic knowledge and has tangible implications for designing systems that prioritize human safety and performance in critical operational domains.