Souheil Zekri

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT SOUHEIL ZEKRI

Dr. Zekri holds a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in nano-bio-materials and two master’s degrees in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering. With over 16 years of experience, he has cultivated expertise across both academic and professional settings.While passionate about research, teaching and mentoring have always been at the forefront of his career. Dr. Zekri has lectured at more than 25 national and international seminars and served as a keynote presenter at over 100 workshops. He has also organized numerous hands-on workshops aimed at empowering teachers and faculty members, emphasizing a nuanced approach to science and engineering education.During his graduate studies, Dr. Zekri served as a GK-12 Fellow, where he collaborated with K-12 educators and mentored over 30 teachers in math and science education. Over the course of five years, he developed research-based science curricula and designed training modules for both educators and undergraduate students. To date, Dr. Zekri has mentored more than 300 students, 30 of whom have gone on to prestigious graduate programs.His research spans a wide array of fields within biomedical engineering, including Rehabilitation Robotics, Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Nanotechnology, and their integration within the biomedical space. His work has centered on synthesizing and characterizing interfaces between naturally derived and synthetic nanostructures, as well as developing assistive devices and interface environments for individuals with disabilities. Currently, Dr. Zekri focuses predominantly on student success by providing a blended teaching approach that integrates academic knowledge with career guidance.In both 2022 and 2024, Dr. Zekri received the department\'s \"Excellence in Teaching\" award, honoring his outstanding contributions to undergraduate education.Recognizing the need to bridge the gap between undergraduate education, graduate research, and industry, Dr. Zekri spearheaded an industry liaison program, offering Capstone students the opportunity to intern while completing their final design projects. His affiliation with the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning at the University of South Florida further exemplifies his dedication to mentoring and advancing the Medical Engineering Department.