Five Florida Polytechnic University faculty members have earned a place on Stanford University’s prestigious World’s Top 2% Scientists annual list. The recognition reflects their years of dedicated research and contributions to advancing knowledge in their fields.
The coveted ranking highlights researchers whose work is the most cited and has had a significant impact across scientific disciplines.
Florida Poly faculty members Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, Dr. Muhammad Rashid, Dr. Khaled Shaaban and Dr. Patrick Zhang were honored for both their lifetime and recent research in areas including nanotechnology and sensors, power electronics, transportation, and rare earth element recovery. Dr. Mahmoud Elish was recognized for the second consecutive year for his cumulative work in computational intelligence and software engineering.
“These remarkable faculty embody the bold innovation and academic excellence that define our University,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly’s president. “Their groundbreaking research is not only advancing the frontiers of science and technology but also shaping the next generation of scientists through the students they teach, mentor and inspire every day.”
The achievement of these five professors underscores Florida Poly’s growth into an institution where faculty scholarship and student success go hand in hand.
“The recognition of these faculty members reflects the strength and accelerating impact of Florida Poly’s research enterprise,” said Dr. Brad Thiessen, provost. “We are proud to have faculty who are contributing to their fields while guiding students to become the future leaders of science and technology.”
Dr. Mahmoud Elish
Elish, professor of computer science, focuses on the intersection of software engineering and computational intelligence, advancing the development and application of intelligent systems for improving the quality and security of software systems. He has published over 50 articles in prestigious peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.
“It’s an honor to be included on this list for the second time, and it reinforces my commitment to research with real-world impact,” Elish said. “Florida Poly provides an environment where I can conduct meaningful research while mentoring students and collaborating with colleagues.”
Dr. Ajeet Kaushik
Kaushik, associate professor of chemistry, explores sensors, biosensors and nanotechnology for health and environmental management. He received a prestigious Fulbright Specialist appointment in 2025 to work with scholars in Spain on the electrochemical sensing of microplastics. His portfolio includes 12 edited books, over 320 peer-reviewed publications, and three patents in nanomedicine and smart sensors for health care. His work was cited 3,700 times during the period reviewed.
“Research becomes a part of my personality; I grew up doing research in a national laboratory, and Florida Poly has always encouraged and supported my work,” Kaushik said. “Recognition like this motivates students. They are now more interested, engaged and want to do more hands-on work in my laboratory.”
Dr. Muhammad Rashid
Rashid is a longtime professor of electrical engineering and Florida Poly’s director of cybersecurity engineering opportunities. He is an international authority in power electronics and his textbooks are widely used by universities globally. He has published more than 160 papers and edited or authored more than 33 books, including the book “Simulation and Analysis of Circuits for Power Electronics” in 2025.
“Every year, students who take a class with me are encouraged to publish,” Rashid said. “We want them to publish research because the experience makes it easier to build careers after graduation.”
Dr. Khaled Shaaban
Shaaban, professor of civil engineering, focuses on designing safer, smarter streets that integrate walking, cycling, and public transportation to create more sustainable communities. He has published more than 230 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals and international conferences.
“This award recognizes years of hard work and dedication,” he said. “I began my career in the transportation industry, which gave me a strong understanding of real-world challenges. I hope this recognition inspires students and highlights the opportunities they have at Florida Poly to work with dedicated professors on meaningful research.
Dr. Patrick Zhang
Zhang, senior director of research at the University’s Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute (FIPR), leads national efforts in recovering rare earth elements (REEs) from phosphate and the wastes and byproducts of its mining. These materials are critical for technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles.
“Building industry connections and finding solutions to major technical and environmental challenges is my passion. I just love research,” Zhang said. “I’m glad to see more Florida Poly faculty recognized on this list, and I look forward to contributing even more through collaboration.”
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Lydia Guzmán
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