Dr. Wael G. Al-Kouz is a professor, scientist, educator, entrepreneur, and internationally recognized expert in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), heat transfer, energy systems, manufacturing engineering, and renewable energy. He joined the University of North Alabama (UNA) in Fall 2023, where he currently serves as a professor, coordinates the Manufacturing Engineering concentration, and serves as the Guizhou University (GZU) Programs Coordinator. He also teaches courses within the Manufacturing Engineering concentration, emphasizing applied and project-based learning.

Dr. Al-Kouz holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), USA, earned in 2009, and an MBA from the University of North Alabama, earned in 2025. He is currently pursuing a Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in Higher Education Administration at UNA, further strengthening his expertise in academic leadership and administration.

With more than two decades of combined academic and industrial experience across North America, China, and the Middle East, Dr. Al-Kouz has held academic and leadership positions at UNA, the American University of the Middle East (Kuwait), Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (Saudi Arabia), and the German Jordanian University (Jordan). At GJU, he progressed from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor in 2016 and Full Professor in 2020—achieving promotion to Full Professor in a record time. He also served as Head of the Mechatronics Engineering Department, leading curriculum development, ABET accreditation, strategic planning, assessment, faculty development, and academic quality initiatives.

Before and alongside his academic career, Dr. Al-Kouz worked in industry in Canada as a Senior Professional Mechanical Engineer, mechanical designer, and project manager. His professional experience includes engineering design, energy management, HVAC, renewable energy, project management, budgeting, vendor coordination, and commissioning. He holds Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licensure in Manitoba, Canada, and Professional Engineer (PE) registration in Wyoming, USA.

His research expertise includes CFD, nanofluids and hybrid nanofluids, heat transfer enhancement, battery thermal management, microfluidics, plasma and multi-scale flows, and renewable energy systems. He has authored or co-authored nearly 140 peer-reviewed journal papers and 16 conference proceedings, supported by numerous local and international research grants. He has been recognized among Stanford University/Elsevier’s Top 2% of Scientists for three consecutive years.

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Al-Kouz teaches courses in Manufacturing Engineering, CFD, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, renewable energy, HVAC, numerical analysis, and advanced engineering mathematics. He is also an authorized trainer for the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Certified Energy Auditor program and has delivered professional training internationally.

Dr. Al-Kouz’s career reflects a distinctive combination of academic excellence, rapid professional advancement, industrial expertise, research achievement, leadership, and entrepreneurship. His work remains focused on advancing engineering education, developing innovative technologies, and addressing complex challenges in manufacturing, energy, thermal sciences, and sustainability.