Dr. Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan, chair of chemical and biological engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, recently received the Mesopotamia Award for Engineering from the Iraqi Cultural Office – USA. The award is presented to U.S. academics of Iraqi origin for achievements in engineering, science, medicine and the humanities.

Al-Dahhan received the award March 14 in Washington, D.C., during the Iraqi Academic Conference, sponsored by the National Academy of Science.

Al-Dahhan joined the Missouri S&T faculty on Jan. 1, 2009, as chair and professor of chemical and biological engineering. Prior to joining Missouri S&T, he was on the faculty of Washington University in St. Louis.

A native of Iraq, Al-Dahhan received his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Baghdad in 1979. He received his master of science degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University in 1988 and his doctoral degree, also in chemical engineering, from Washington University in 1993.

Al-Dahhan is also active with the International Atomic Energy Agency, where he chairs an advisory group for the agency’s proposed research projects. His research activities include more than 150 publications and proceedings in refereed scientific and technical journals and hundreds of conference presentations. He is also a member of the American Institute for Chemical Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Education and the American Chemical Society.