Roles

Faculty Member & Assistant Lecturer

Role Overview & Impact Served as a Cooperative Faculty Member and Assistant Lecturer within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, taking on full instructional and academic responsibilities for large-scale undergraduate courses. Over the course of three semesters, directly educated and mentored a diverse student body of over 500 future engineers. This foundational role required a balance of high-level technical expertise, strategic classroom management, and an adaptive pedagogical approach to break down abstract mathematical and physical concepts into practical, engineering-focused knowledge.

Curriculum Delivery & Domain Expertise Spearheaded the instructional delivery of two core departmental courses: Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering (EE200), serving over 220 students, and Electrical Networks (EE202), serving more than 277 students. Responsibilities included developing and delivering comprehensive lectures, structured tutorials, and supplementary course materials that aligned strictly with university curriculum objectives and ABET accreditation standards. The instructional domain covered essential analytical methodologies, including:

• Mesh and nodal analysis, network theorems (Thevenin, Norton, Superposition), and transient/steady-state responses.
• Complex AC circuit analysis, three-phase power systems, and advanced network modeling.
• The application of mathematical modeling to real-world circuit design and problem-solving techniques.

Classroom Management & Student Engagement Successfully managed high-enrollment auditorium classes while maintaining an interactive and highly communicative learning environment. Implemented proactive instructional strategies to sustain student engagement, promote active participation during tutorials, and accommodate diverse learning paces. By bridging the gap between theoretical network theorems and practical engineering applications, fostered a collaborative classroom culture that encouraged critical thinking and rigorous analytical inquiry.

Assessment Design & Quality Assurance Designed, coordinated, and administered all course assessments, including comprehensive weekly quizzes, analytical homework assignments, and rigorous midterm and final examinations. Ensured a fair, transparent, and consistent evaluation process by creating detailed grading rubrics and providing constructive, actionable feedback to students. Monitored student performance metrics across semesters to identify systemic learning gaps, adjusting lecture focus areas and tutorial pacing accordingly to optimize overall academic outcomes.

Academic Mentorship & Student Support Dedicated extensive hours to out-of-class student support, providing targeted academic guidance during scheduled office hours. Acted as a mentor to students navigating the rigorous early stages of the engineering curriculum. Specialized in diagnosing individual conceptual bottlenecks—particularly in complex, abstract areas like multi-loop network analysis and reactive power calculations—and developed tailored explanatory analogies to enhance student comprehension, boost academic confidence, and reduce course attrition rates.

Careers

Cooperative Faculty Member (Assistant Lecturer)

• Teach 220+ undergraduate students in Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering (EE200) and 277+ undergraduate students in Electrical Networks (EE202), covering core analytical methods and problem-solving techniques across three semesters.
• Delivered lectures, tutorials, and course materials aligned with curriculum objectives
• Managed large classes while maintaining high teaching and engagement
• Designed and graded assignments, quizzes, and examinations, along with ensuring fair and consistent evaluation
• Support students, provide academic guidance, and improve understanding of complex circuit concepts.

Research Interests

Main research activities focus on quantifying and modeling wildfires smoke impacts on photovoltaic (PV) systems, large-scale wildfires impact on the frequency stability of low-inertia, trending power systems, solar PV modeling, and renewable energy integration into power systems.

• A. J. Ali, L. Zhao, M. H. Kapourchali, and W. Lee (2023). “The Indexing Development for Assessing Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Photovoltaic System Performance”. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, pp. 1-9, DOI: 10.1109/TIA.2024.3379326.
• A. J. Ali, L. Zhao, M. H. Kapourchali, and W. Lee (2023). “Predictive Analysis of Wildfire Smoke-Induced Wiggle Effect on Low-Inertia Trending Power Grids”. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications”, pp. 1-10, DOI: 10.1109/TIA.2023.3342767.
• A. J. Ali, L. Zhao, and M. H. Kapourchali (2023). “Data-Driven-Based Analysis and Modeling for The Impact of Wildfire Smoke on PV Systems”. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, pp. 1-10, DOI: 10.1109/TIA.2023.3292807.
• A. J. Ali, L. Zhao, M. H. Kapourchali, and W. Lee (2023). “Development of A Quantification Method for The Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Photovoltaic Systems”. Las Vegas, Nevada: 2023 IEEE/IAS 59th Industrial & Commercial Power Systems (I&CPS 2023), pp. 1-10, DOI: 10.1109/ICPS57144.2023.10142101.
• A. J. Ali, L. Zhao, M. H. Kapourchali, and W. Lee (2023). “The Wiggle Effect of Wildfire Smoke on PV Systems and Frequency Stability Analysis for Low-Inertia Power Grids”. Las Vegas, Nevada: 2023 IEEE/IAS 59th Industrial & Commercial Power Systems (I&CPS 2023), pp. 1-8, DOI: 10.1109/ICPS57144.2023.10142096.
• A. J. Ali and L. Zhao (2022). “Solar Spectral Irradiance Analysis and Modeling: A Case Study in The Black Hills Area”. Salt Lake City, Utah: 54th North American Power Symposium (NAPS 2022), pp. 1-6, DOI: 10.1109/NAPS56150.2022.10012211.
• A. S. Shamekh, A. Jebril, and O.G. Mrehel. (2020). Photovoltaic Energy PVE: “Grid Connected PV Solar Carport System Design, Simulation, and Feasibility for Libyan Telecommunication Company”. Hammamet, Tunisia: 2020 11th International Renewable Energy Congress (IREC), DOI: 10.1109/IREC48820.2020.9310386.

External Activities

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Electrical Engineer for Black & Veatch, USA

• Designed air-insulated electrical substations according to clients’ standards – protection & control (P&C) and physical design deliverables. 
• Prepared equipment and materials required for the design and construction along with providing technical support during project execution and commissioning.
• Supported 15+ projects for Southern California Edison (SCE) including circuit breakers (CBs) and disconnect switches (DSs) replacement for 66kV, 16kV, 12kV, and 4kV voltage levels, transformer bank (TR BK) replacement for 66kV/16kV & 66kV/12kV voltage levels, relays replacements, 12kV distribution digital fault recorder (DDFR) installation, 4kV voltage regulators replacement, duct bank installation, switchyard lightings upgrade, and pump sump installation.
• Supported 3 projects for batteries and battery chargers’ replacement, battery management system (BMS) installation, and 15+ as-built projects for First Energy (FE). Additionally, supported project management – project change order and project drawings estimate. 

Graduate Research Assistant for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Smart Grid and Energy Research Lab (SGERL), USA

Electrical Engineer for Medelec Switchgear Ltd.

• Supported 20+ projects for indoor substations, which collectively count for 700+ MVA of power.
• Commissioned/tested 30kV/11kV switchgears: control interlocks, contact resistance test, circuit breaker and bus bar leakage current test, primary injection, and ratio measurements for all CTs and VTs, secondary injection for all measurement devices, and protection relays (MICOM, ALSTOM & GE).
• Commissioned/tested power and auxiliary transformers 30kV/11kV and 11kV/400V respectively: insulation, ratio, wining resistance, and stability tests.
• Commisiioned/tested AC & DC system: batteries, battery charger, and AS & DC panels.
• Commissioned/tested AVR and substation grounding.

Other Activities:

Peer Reviewer: peer-reviewed four articles for IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications (Q1 Journal), one article for IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversions (Q1 Journal), and one article for Journal of Engineering and Sciences (JENRS).

Alumni Panelist for U.S. Embassy Libya, Amideast, and Education USA Event: Shared expertise and answered prospective applicants’ questions regarding Fulbright Foreign Student Program grant, along with sharing own personal, academic, and cultural experiences in the U.S.

Second-Year Student Panelist for Fulbright Foreign Student Program (FFSP): Offered guidance and advice to incoming graduate students in Fulbright Foreign Student Program at the Fulbright Gateway Orientation. Gave them tips on how to navigate the U.S. education system and access resources on campus.