Doha, May 16 (QNA) - Texas A and M University at Qatar has received 23 research awards and landed the three recognition awards from the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) at the QNRF seventh annual research forum.

The university received its 23 awards from the total 120 chosen for funding from 869 projects submitted by 29 institutions in Qatar. Its awarded projects span its degree programs in chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and petroleum engineering, as well as its science program. 

"Our research is contributing new knowledge, which is critical for the foundation of a knowledge-based economy," said Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and CEO of Texas A and M at Qatar. "This latest round of awards and recognition from QNRF demonstrates the high quality of research conducted at Texas A and M at Qatar and the world-class caliber of our faculty and research staff. We are grateful to QNRF for supporting our mission to be a valued resource to the State of Qatar as we work to support Qatar in achieving its goals." Dr. Haitham Abu-Rub, professor and chair of the electrical and computer engineering program, was named researcher of the year for his productivity in high-impact journals. 

"This award is in appreciation of our high-quality research and dedication. It means a lot for me and for my research team and for Texas A and M at Qatar and QEERI, as well. I am proud that I am able to help shape Qatar's worldwide reputation for high-level research. We are lucky to have Qatar supporting such world-class research. Qatar National research Fund helped us reach such a high level of productivity and worldwide success and visibility. We in turn are proud to contribute to Qatar's National Vision 2030," he said. 

Texas A and M at Qatar's Dr. Tingwen Huang, science program professor, won the best research project for 2015. Huang and his research team investigate the dynamics, optimization and control of neural networks, chaotic dynamical systems, complex networks, and control and optimization of memristors (electronic resistors with memory) and smart grid, all of which are critical to development of Qatar. 

Huang said, "In the past several years, my team made many original contributions on dynamics, control and optimization on various nonlinear dynamical systems. Four of our papers sponsored by Qatar National Research Fund are highly cited papers, ranking in the top 1 percent by citations for each field and each year. It would not be possible for us to make such achievements without the excellent support from QNRF and Texas A and M at Qatar's Research Office. I highly appreciate their valuable support." Texas A and M at Qatar's research administration office was also honored, being named best research office for the third time in the past four years. (QNA)