About
Dr. Israa Azzam is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University in 2025. Her doctoral work focused on the integration of control systems, digital technologies, and extended reality (XR) to support industrial teleoperation and workforce development.
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Her academic journey started with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, followed by a master’s degree focused on advanced control methodologies. This early work established a strong foundation in control theory and system modeling, which later led her transition into applied research environments emphasizing real-world engineering systems.
Prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Azzam was a visiting research scholar at Purdue University, where she contributed to projects in digital hydraulics, robotic systems, and XR-enabled workforce development, and supported externally funded research initiatives.
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Her doctoral research addressed challenges in industrial safety, operator efficiency, and system responsiveness by combining immersive XR environments with scalable, low-latency control frameworks. This work has received recognition at national and international venues.
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Besides research, Dr. Azzam is also committed to learner-centered, experiential teaching that integrates emerging technologies into engineering curricula. Her professional interests span XR-enabled teleoperation, immersive educational systems, and advanced control strategies, with a strong emphasis on mentoring future engineers.
Education
2022 - 2025
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Purdue University
Thesis Title: Transforming Teleoperation: A Collaborative Extended Reality Teleoperation Environment for Seamless Access and Robust Controllability of Complex Physical Systems for Remote Operators.
2019 - 2021
M.E. in Mechanical Engineering, American University of Beirut
Thesis Title: Semi-Definite Programming (SDP) Approach for Robust State PD Control Design for Descriptor Systems.
2016 - 2019
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Beirut Arab University
Project Title: Design and Implementation of a Smart Industrial Handling Unit (Semi-Automated Forklift).
Awards, Honors, & Achievements
2025
Best Paper Award: IISE Annual Conference
Awarded by the IISE for the paper titled "Investigating the Impact of Stress on Shared Mental Models and Team
Performance in Collaborative Mixed Reality Environments.
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National Science Foundation (NSF) Travel Support Award
Awarded by NSF to attend the 2025 ASEE Conference
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2024
Best Poster Award: First Place​
Awarded by Industrial Engineering Operation Management (IEOM) World Congress for the research titled "Transforming Teleoperations through Immersive Digital Twins: A Collaborative Extended Reality (XR) Environment for Remote Operations".
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National Science Foundation (NSF) Travel Support Award​
Awarded by NSF to attend the IEOM World Congress.
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Best Paper Award: ASEE Industrial Engineering Division​
Awarded by ASEE Industrial Engineering Division for the paper titled "Mixed Reality as a Teaching Tool for Improving Spatial Visualization in Engineering Students"
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Best Paper Award: ASEE Manufacturing Division​
Awarded by ASEE Manufacturing Division for the paper titled "Teaching Manufacturing Assembly Processes Using Immersive Mixed Reality".
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Bravo Award: Employee Recognition for Departmental Achievements
Awarded by Purdue University Polytechnic Institute in 2024 for outstanding contributions.
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Certificate of Appreciation: Purdue Polytechnic Grad Student Poster Competition.
Awarded by Purdue University Polytechnic Institute in 2024 for outstanding efforts and performance in organizing the 2024 Polytechnic Graduate Student Poster Competition.
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Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society: Elected Member.
Selected to be a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi by election of the Chapter at Purdue University.
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2023
Best Student Poster Presentation Award: First Place
Awarded by the 2023 Spring Polytechnic Research Impact Area Student Poster Symposium: Realize Digital Enterprise (RDE) for the research titled "Mixed Reality Technology: A Design Validation Tool
for Engineering Applications".
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Best Presentation in Onsite Session
Awarded by the 2023 9th International Conference on Computer Technology Applications in Vienna, Austria for the presentation titled "An Investigation of Learning Process with Mixed Reality
Technology in STEM Education: The case for a computer-based educational".
Academic & Community Service
Regional Conference Coordinator ​
Manufacturing Division at the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
Conference Session Moderator​
Industrial Engineering Division at the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE).
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Manuscript Reviewer​
American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
Journal of Expert Systems with Applications (ESWA)
Journal of Advanced Technological Education (JATE)
Journal of Engineering Technology (JET)​​
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