Our People

Research Team

Meet the multidisciplinary experts dedicated to advancing climate-resilient housing research across Egypt.

Researchers

Research Team Members

Our diverse team brings together expertise in architecture, engineering, public health, and social sciences.

Team Member

Dr. Ashraf Nessim

PI-EG

Ain Shams University

Dr. Nessim is an Associate Professor of Architecture at Ain Shams University, with over 20 years of academic and professional experience. He holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Studies, specialising in Daylighting, and a Ph.D. focusing on the exterior lighting of heritage buildings and their surrounding environment. His professional experience includes architectural consultancy and collaboration with local and international firms on projects in Egypt, the UAE, and Oman. Dr. Nessim has published several research papers and participated in international conferences and workshops, and currently leads the Climate Resilient Energy Efficient Low-income Housing in Egypt (CRLiH) research project.

Team Member

Dr. Arman Hashemi

PI-UK

University of East London

Dr. Hashemi is the Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology at the University of East London (UEL), with over 20 years of academic and professional experience in the UK and internationally. His research focuses on building performance, energy, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality in buildings. He leads multidisciplinary research groups at UEL and has extensive experience in research, design, and construction projects across the built environment. Dr. Hashemi is the UK Principal Investigator of the Climate Resilient Energy Efficient Low-income Housing in Egypt (CRLiH) project, with a strong focus on climate change, sustainable design, and resilient built environments.

Team Member

Prof. Marwa Khalifa

CO-PI-EG

Ain Shams University

Marwa Khalifa is a Professor of Sustainable Urbanism with academic and professional expertise in sustainable urban development, resource efficient cities, Nature Based Solutions (NbS), climate resilience, and sustainable urban land restoration. A founder and former director of the BSc (Hons) “Environmental Architecture and Urbanism”, in Dual Degree with the University of East London, and the Master program on “Resource Efficiency for Sustainable Cities”. Provided consultations to national and international funded projects in urban resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainable city planning. Contributed to major funded projects by the UN-HABITAT, Erasmus, World Bank, and DAAD organizations. Published over 40 high-impact papers (Scopus H-index: 9) and supervised 18 PhD and 40+ MSc theses. Since July 2025, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research at the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University.

Team Member

Dr. Amr Elbanhawy

Life Cycle Impact Assessment Expert

Ain Shams University

Dr. Amr Elbanhawy is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Ain Shams University (ASU), where he serves as Director of the Energy Technology and Climate Change Laboratory. His interdisciplinary research lies at the intersection of decarbonisation, sustainable development, and technology innovation policy, with scholarly contributions spanning renewable energy integration, energy storage, agricultural decarbonisation, and biomass-derived clean fuels. A Chartered Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Dr. Elbanhawy brings extensive international industry and technology investment experience, having held engineering and commercial positions with Bechtel Power and the UK’s Welding Institute, as well as serving as a Senior Technology Investment Advisor at Orascom Construction.

Early Researchers

PhD & MSc Researchers

The next generation of researchers contributing essential fieldwork, data analysis and innovative thinking.

Team Member

Eng. Nabila El Harraky

Researcher

Ain Shams University

Nabila El Harraky is a Teaching Assistant in Urban Design and Planning at the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University and a Master of Science student in Urban Design and Planning. She holds a dual degree in Environmental Architecture and Urbanism and focuses on human-centered, ecosystem-conscious design, with interests in inclusive and accessible architecture and equitable cities. She explores how indoor environments influence health and well-being and how architecture affects broader ecological systems, advocating for socially equitable and environmentally responsible design. She is also a Researcher in the Climate Resilient Energy Efficient Low-income Housing in Egypt (CRLiH) project.

Team Member

Eng. Rania Bakry

Researcher

Ain Shams University

Rania Bakry is a Master of Science student in Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University. She holds a dual degree in Environmental Architecture and Urbanism. Her academic interests include environmental design, sustainability, accessibility, and the relationship between architecture and climate. She is particularly interested in integrating sustainable and regenerative principles into architectural practice and exploring their role in creating more resilient built environments. She explores the connection between environmental performance, human well-being, and architectural design. She is also a Researcher in the Climate Resilient Energy Efficient Low-income Housing in Egypt (CRLiH) project.

Team Member

Eng. Ahmed Abdelkader

Analyst

Ain Shams University

Ahmed Abdelkader is a Teaching Assistant in Mechanical Power Engineering at Ain Shams University and a researcher specializing in wind energy and renewable energy systems. His expertise combines academic experience in power generation technologies with practical experience in MEP engineering. He is interested in developing sustainable solutions that can improve building performance and reduce energy consumption. He explores the role of renewable energy technologies in supporting sustainable and resilient built environments. He is also involved as a researcher in the Climate Resilient Energy Efficient Low-income Housing in Egypt (CRLiH) Project, contributing to the development of sustainable and energy-efficient solutions.

Team Member

Ms. Vishnupriya Narayanan

Researcher

University of East London

Vishnupriya Valeriparambil Narayanan is a Research Assistant at the University of East London, focusing on sustainable and climate-resilient buildings, indoor environmental quality, and building performance. She previously worked on the UKRI/MRC-funded Healthy Energy Efficient Dwellings (HEED) project, using field monitoring and building performance simulation to assess air quality, energy performance, and occupant comfort. She currently contributes to the Climate Resilient Energy Efficient Low-income Housing (CRLiH) project, focusing on evidence-based solutions for healthier, more sustainable, and resilient low-income housing. She has authored peer-reviewed publications on indoor environmental quality, healthy housing, climate-resilient housing, and building performance, with research interests in building physics, building performance simulation, and climate-resilient design, particularly in bridging measured building performance with predictive modelling.

Interested in Collaborating?

We welcome researchers, practitioners, and institutions who share our commitment to improving low-income housing in Egypt through evidence-based solutions.

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