Postdoctoral researcher awarded for exceptional mentorship

Dr. Mohammad Amer Allaf was recognized by the College of Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) for his outstanding mentorship as a postdoctoral fellow.

Dr. Allaf joined the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics as a postdoctoral associate researcher in July 2023, working in two different research groups with Assistant Professors Juliana Pacheco-Duarte and Ben Lindley. 

In Prof. Pacheco-Duarte’s research group, the Heat Transfer and Safety Analysis (HEATS) Laboratory, Dr. Allaf mentors new students, meeting with them weekly to guide their progress and answer questions, not only supporting their technical work, but making sure they understand the goals of the project and their contributions. 

“When I entered the program with limited research experience, I worried about meeting expectations and keeping up with the required progress,” says Charlie Erickson, one of the new graduate students in Prof. Pacheco-Duarte’s research group. “However, from the start, Amer has been incredibly supportive, explaining complex topics and guiding me in effectively directing my research.” 

Dr. Allaf also mentored a senior graduate student in scientific writing. Dr. Allaf’s background in scientific methodology helped the student to refine his research findings, resulting in two prestigious publications, one in the Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology and the other in Fire Technology. Personally, Dr. Allaf has overseen the publication of four scientific papers in distinguished journals such as Nuclear Technology, AIP Advances, and ACS Omega. 

He also provided several of his students with the encouragement and guidance to present their research at leading conferences such as the ANS Annual Conference and the International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NURETH).

Due to her positive mentorship experience with Dr. Allaf, undergraduate senior researcher Grace Ejnik was the first female graduate student to join Prof. Pacheco-Durate’s group. 

“I had the privilege of working closely with him on a very technical research project, and he helped to make my first experience with research a positive one,” says Ejnik. “He takes the time to explain complex concepts and creates an inclusive environment where all students feel comfortable learning and contributing.”

Dr. Allaf is also a researcher and mentor in Assistant Professor Ben Lindley’s group, the Reactor Technology Integration Group (ReTI). As the only postdoctoral fellow in the group, Dr. Allaf provides both formal and informal mentoring to 15 graduate students. 

“Amer has been an incredible role model, both in terms of mentoring and in being a great scientist,” says Sam Garcia, a graduate student in Prof. Lindley’s group. “He is always forward looking, helping students drive their research towards a fulfilling career goal.”

Dr. Allaf’s dedication does not waver when it comes to students with more challenging journeys, either. In mentoring a student on a rockier path through their graduate study, he was able to “impose some accountability while not losing his constructive relationship with the student,” says Prof. Lindley.

The level of professionalism, compassion, and intentionality that Dr. Allaf demonstrates through his mentorship is a stellar example of our mission as a department to support both the academic development and personal wellbeing of each individual student.