Youssef Abotaleb is a dedicated Ph.D. student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department, originally from Egypt. He currently serves as a graduate research assistant at the Power and Energy Systems Laboratory (PESL), where he is mentored by Dr. Jun Wang. With a multidisciplinary engineering background that includes electrical, mechanical, and electronics engineering, Youssef is actively engaged in advanced research, with a focus on thermal management for wide-band gap semiconductor devices.
His journey to the University of UNL began during an undergraduate exchange program in the Fall of 2022, where an inspiring collaboration with Dr. Jun Wang motivated him to pursue further studies in the U.S. One of Youssef's most notable achievements was being featured in Egyptian news for a capstone project aimed at reducing carbon emissions by 19% in the aviation fueling sector at Cairo Airport, Africa's busiest airport. Recently, he secured an internship at Cummins—a remarkable feat for a first-year graduate student.
Youssef is passionate about inspiring others and often shares his story with incoming exchange students to motivate and uplift them. His commitment to community is evident in his active participation in various groups at UNL, ranging from spike ball and table tennis clubs to multicultural student organizations and NUtech Ventures events.
During his internship at Cummins, Youssef gained invaluable insights while working on innovative projects for future products within the Power Electronics Research and Technology team. This experience honed his ability to tackle complex challenges, prioritize tasks, and communicate effectively, enhancing both his project management skills and technical knowledge.
With a belief instilled by his family that everyone has something to teach, Youssef values self-awareness as the foundation of meaningful relationships and effective leadership. He emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing tasks and maintaining discipline to balance personal and academic life, often relying on time management tools like the Eisenhower matrix.
If given the chance to change the world, Youssef would focus on advancing clean, renewable energy and proactive climate solutions, aiming for a future where sustainable energy is accessible and affordable for all. Ultimately, he wishes to be remembered for his kindness, curiosity, and commitment to enhancing future generations' lives while honoring the principles passed down from the past.
Fun fact: Growing up near Africa's busiest airport, Youssef enjoyed a quirky hobby of tracking planes from his room, guessing their destinations before verifying them on the radar!
Youssef’s efforts to share knowledge and uplift others have left a lasting, positive impression on the graduate community, making him a standout contributor. Nominate anyone making a difference in our graduate community