Hazem Hajj, PhD

• Associate Professor, Dept of ECE, American University of Beirut 2013 – present
  • Visiting Associate Professor, Dept of ECE, University of Texas-Austin 2015 – Sep. 2016
  • Conducted research on:
  • Designing machine learning algorithms and resources for:
    • Natural language processing (NLP) and opinion mining for Arabic (OMA)
    • Context aware sensing and design of efficient sensing strategies for IoT applications
    • Emotion recognition
  • Designing systems and algorithms to enable faster processing and communication of data for Machine Learning:
    • Design of cloud architecture for accelerated machine learning
    • Design of accelerated convolutional networks
    • Design of energy efficient communication strategies in dense networks
  • Published 20 journal papers in top international refereed journals such as IEEE Transactions and ACM Transaction. Also published 36 conference papers in top international refereed conferences, mostly sponsored by IEEE and ACM.
  • Filed for 2 patent inventions on context aware sensing.
  • Supervising (co-supervising 3): 4 Post-docs, 6 PhD (3 completed and 3 in progress), and 12 Master students (4 completed and 8 in progress).
  • Secured Funding for projects with over $2 Million dollars from international sources including: Qatar National Research Foundation (QNRF), Intel Corporation, and King Abdul Aziz for Science and Technology (KACST). Additional funding obtained from local sources: AUB URB, AUB Farook Jabre, AUB CRS, AUB Masri Institute.
  • Awarded 2018 American University of Beirut Teaching Excellence Award
  • Invited keynote presentations and invited talks at international conferences. Actively participated in technical societies and reviews of academic publications.
  • Active service record for the department, faculty, and the university. Includes the introduction of a new course to all of engineering students at AUB.
  • Current research focuses on:
  • Advancing opinion mining techniques for Arabic
  • Designing algorithms to mimic human cognitive intelligence and human learning with little data.

• Assistant Professor, Dept of ECE, American University of Beirut 2008 – Sep. 2013
  • Conducted research on:
    • Energy aware computing.
    • Machine learning algorithms for failure analysis in semiconductor manufacturing and security intrusion.
    • Machine learning algorithms and end to end system for well being.
    • Emotion recognition from multiple modalities.
    • Sentiment analysis for Arabic.
    • Efficient sensor operation for accurate machine learning.
  • Published 7 journal papers and 34 conference papers. Most in top international refereed journal and conference venues mostly sponsored by IEEE and ACM.
  • Secured Funding for projects with over $2.5 Million dollars from international sources including: Intel Corporation, Qatar National Research Foundation (QNRF), and King Abdul Aziz for Science and Technology (KACST). Additional funding obtained from local sources: LNCSR and AUB URB.
  • Supervised: 3 PhD (3 completed while in Associate rank), and 8 Master students (8 completed while in rank).
  • Active service record for the department and faculty including chairing and participating in multiple committees. 

• Lecturer, Dept of ECE, University of Wisconsin Madison Sep 1989 – May 1993
  • Was the instructor of record for non-major classes taken by junior/senior students, which included giving lectures, holding office hours, preparing exams and evaluated an average of fifty students per semester. I turned an unpopular required class to one of the most popular classes, which led the students to vote me “Best Instructor in Engineering!” 
  • Won 7 teaching awards from 1989 to 1993:
    • University Teaching Assistant Mentor Award, UW-Madison 1992-1993,
    • University Excellence in Teaching Award, UW-Madison 1992*,
    • Department Excellence in Teaching Award, UW-Madison 1992,
    • Department Teaching Assistant Fellow, UW-Madison 1992,
    • Polygon Outstanding Teaching Award, UW-Madison 1992,
    • Polygon Outstanding Teaching Award, UW-Madison 1991
    • * Most prestigious award:  University Excellence in Teaching Award, UW-Madison 1992. 

• Instructor, American University of Beirut; Beirut-Lebanon July 1993 – Aug 1993
  • Taught Numerical Methods for Engineers to a group of forty computer engineers, held office hours, prepared exams and project assignments 

• Project Assistant, University of Wisconsin Hospital; Wisconsin-Madison             May 1991 – Aug 1991
  • Designed an oscilloscope simulator using LabVIEW.

Publications Page