Azza M. Elleboudy Dr. Azza is a Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at Zagazig University, Egypt. She was the first lady to chair a Civil Engineering Department in the Egyptian Universities. She is also a Consulting Engineer engaged in many projects with the construction companies. Professor Elleboudy received her B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1972 from Cairo University, Egypt. She was one of the top 5% in her graduating class. She was granted scholarships for graduate studies from American Universities due to her excellent academic record. In 1975 she earned her M.S. in Civil Engineering at Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma, U.S.A., and in 1977 she earned her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, U.S.A. She is recognized as one of the pioneer women in Engineering since she was the first lady engineer to receive M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in all the Engineering Departments in the two American Universities. Prof. Elleboudy worked as a lecturer at University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA, in 1977/1978, and as an assistant professor at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA, in 1978/1979. She was offered an assistant professor position at University of Colorado, Denver, USA, in 1979, but she preferred to return home to serve her country. Dr. Azza has developed and taught undergraduate and graduate Geotechnical Engineering courses, revised and updated the curriculum of her department with the aim of reforming the engineering education. She supervised many M.S. theses and Ph.D. dissertations, and is involved in several research projects. Her research interests include tunnels, dams, earthquake engineering, problematic geomaterials, landslides and rockfalls, environmental geotechnology, structures failure investigations, and restoration of monuments. She participated in developing the Code for Foundation Design in Egypt. She has established her own private Consulting Engineering Office, and she directs a Soil Mechanics Laboratory. Prof. Elleboudy is a member of 10 international professional and scientific societies, besides Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network (WEPAN), and the Global Alliance for Diversifying the Science & Engineering Workforce. She is an active member in the International Relations Committee in the National Council for Women, headed by the First Lady of Egypt. She has authored 53 research papers published in international conferences and journals. She served on several scientific international committees and participated in organizing many conferences. Prof. Elleboudy has received several awards for being a pioneer woman engineer, a distinguished engineering professor, and an outstanding researcher. She is a member of the National Democratic Party. She is a Rotarian, and is committed to the advancement of women in science, engineering, and technology, women empowerment and participation in decision-making. Dr. Azza is married and has three sons. She enjoys music, swimming, and poetry. Return to African Women in Engineering and Science