The University of Tulsa’s College of Engineering & Computer Science welcomes Hazem Refai, Ph.D., as chair of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. Beginning in January, Refai will join UTulsa with over 30 years of expertise in teaching and research, making significant advancements in wireless technology and medical device communication.
Refai earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Oklahoma, where he later held the Williams Chair of Telecommunication and Networking. Known as a national leader in his field, he has led research efforts in optical wireless communication, radio frequency wireless coexistence, cognitive networks, and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in transportation and communication. He secured more than $9 million in grants from federal and state agencies to fund innovative projects and published more than 245 papers in top-tier journals and conferences.
He collaborated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where he helped develop the first open-air testing protocol for wireless functionalities in medical devices. This American National Standards Institute-approved protocol plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of wireless medical devices, such as insulin pumps, by safeguarding wireless data integrity for patients.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Refai to The University of Tulsa,” said Andreas A. Polycarpou, Ph.D. and dean of the College of Engineering & Computer Science. “His remarkable expertise and pioneering work bring unparalleled value to our university. With his leadership, we look forward to advancing innovative research and creating impactful learning experiences for our students.”
Refai’s role as chair promises to foster a new era of engineering research and collaboration, as he continues to push boundaries and shape advancements.