Sept. 16, 2009

Dean Bob Johnson of the Lee College of Engineering has appointed Dr. Ahmed Soliman as the new director of the UNC Charlotte North Carolina Motorsports and Automotive Research Center.

Dr. Soliman’s automotive research specialties include exhaust emissions diagnostics, advanced engines, alternative fuels and green racing. “Dr. Soliman brings considerable experience and enthusiasm to this position,” Dean Johnson said, “and I am confident the trajectory for NCMARC will remain positive under his leadership.”

NCMARC’s former director, Dr. Jim Cuttino is currently on leave from the university launching a new regional tire-testing facility in the Charlotte area. “On behalf of the faculty and staff, I want to thank Dr. Cuttino for his service as the director,” Dean Johnson said. “The center has enhanced its visibility significantly, grown in enrollment, developed a strong advisory board, and received additional funding from the Chancellor under Jim’s watch.”

Dr. Soliman received his B.Sc. and M.Sc degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. He received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in Mechanical Engineering.

Prior to his UNC Charlotte position, Dr. Soliman was the Industrial Director and a Research Faculty member at the OSU Center for Automotive Research. He is a member of ASME, EEA, and SAE. He currently is a member of the SAE Board of Directors, the SAE Foundation Board of Trustees, and the SAE Engineering Education Board.