Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs

NYUAD has launched the MSc in Interdisciplinary Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, a rigorous two-year program beginning in fall 2026, with applications opening in October. Combining Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Social Sciences, and the Arts and Humanities, the program equips students to address complex global challenges. Partnerships with government and industry in Abu Dhabi and the Gulf region will offer research collaborations, professional development, and career pathways, preparing graduates to drive innovation in AI and data science worldwide.

The Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi (Stern at NYUAD) has launched its new Executive MBA (EMBA) program, the first in the MENA region, offered by a top-ranked U.S. business school. Designed for senior professionals, the 23-month, part-time program allows executives to advance their leadership and organizational impact while continuing their careers. Anchored in the academic rigor of NYU Stern’s global EMBA offerings and contextualized for the region, the program includes residencies in New York and Shanghai. It culminates in a fully accredited MBA degree jointly conferred by NYU Stern and NYU Abu Dhabi.

Marieh Bassem Al-Handawi (Postdoctoral Associate) of the Smart Materials Lab (SML) was shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Arab World Award 2025 in the Research Project of the Year: STEM category. Her project, which explores water harvesting from the air using native UAE flora, positions NYUAD at the forefront of STEM innovation in the region.

Abdul Basit (Research Engineer, Engineering Division), Mahmoud Mohamad Ali Hamandi (Postdoctoral Associate, Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics), and Inderjeet Singh (Postdoctoral Research Associate, AMBER Lab, Civil and Urban Engineering) were featured in Al Etihad’s full-page coverage of NYUAD’s contributions to the national “Make it in the Emirates” initiative. Highlighting innovations developed on campus, the feature underscored NYUAD’s role in advancing research with real-world impact and was published alongside coverage of the high-profile event attended by several UAE leaders.

Dattaraj Dhuri (Postdoctoral Associate) of the Center for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS) co-developed an AI system capable of forecasting harmful solar wind days in advance, providing vital protection for satellites, power grids, and other infrastructure. The breakthrough has been featured in The National, Emirates News Agency, Khaleej Times, and Al Etihad.

Faten Yasin (Postdoctoral Associate in Biomedical Science) bridges clinical and research practice through her work in the Magzoub Lab at NYUAD. Building on her early rotations in UAE hospitals, she now investigates tumors in breast and pancreatic cancers, develops targeted drug therapies, and examines patient-to-patient variations in adult leukemias to better understand why treatments do not affect all patients equally. Motivated by curiosity and persistence, Yasin hopes her work will inspire the next generation of Emirati scientists. 

Soha Yousuf (Postdoctoral Fellow) was prominently featured in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (Wiley), with a cover article in the August 2025 volume, also selected as the Editor’s Choice Article of the Month. Yousuf’s study combines artificial intelligence with Raman spectroscopy to distinguish between tissue types, laying the foundation for next-generation surgical tools with biomolecular precision.

Yusheng “Jason” Zhang (Global PhD Fellow) achieved international recognition by winning the highly prestigious Merck Innovation Cup 2025 in Darmstadt, Germany (July 15-19). Chosen from a global pool of top young researchers, he joined 41 peers in developing innovative smart agent proposals, with his team, Smart Facturing, taking first place in the competition. Khalil Ramadi supervised Zhang in the Laboratory for Advanced Neuroengineering and Translational Medicine.

Students from NYU Abu Dhabi’s MFA in Art and Media program are featured in an in-depth article in The National spotlighting their exhibition Unstable Grounds at 421 Arts Campus. The showcase reflects the program’s interdisciplinary approach and the strength of student practice. It’s a thoughtful feature that underscores the ambition and creativity of NYUAD’s academic community.