Israa Azzam, Ph.D.

I am an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). My long-term research objective is to advance industrial teleoperation by leveraging cutting-edge extended reality (XR) technologies alongside scalable, low-latency control protocols to support real-time decision-making, operational efficiency, system scalability, and workforce development.

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Besides research, my teaching philosophy centers on creating an inclusive, learner-focused environment that emphasizes experiential learning, teamwork, and innovation. I work on integrating multiple teaching techniques and state-of-the-art methods to help students succeed. A major part of my approach is using advanced technologies such as Extended Reality (XR) in lectures and labs. I aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice, equipping students with essential STEM skills to thrive as innovators and future leaders. 

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I earned my Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University in 2025, where I specialized in digital technologies and control systems. My doctoral research focused on industrial teleoperations, XR technology, workforce development, and has been recognized with multiple awards. 

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Before pursuing my Ph.D., I completed my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Beirut Arab University (2019) and my M.E. in Mechanical Engineering at the American University of Beirut (2021). My graduate work at AUB provided a strong theoretical foundation in control systems, which I expanded into applied research at Purdue, where I collaborated with industry partners on simulation-based and XR-integrated modules for workforce development.

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I have more than 20 peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals and conferences. My work has received recognition at national and international conferences through multiple awards.​​