Maha Haji

Developing insights into the future of sustainable ocean resource utilization, Maha Haji serves as an Assistant Professor at Cornell University's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Her work is pivotal in advancing the Blue Economy through the development of sustainable offshore technologies. With a focus on mitigating climate change, she leads the Symbiotic Engineering and Analysis (SEA) Lab, which is dedicated to designing and optimizing offshore systems for efficient resource harvesting. Maha Haji's academic journey is marked by a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Oceanographic Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Her expertise is deeply rooted in the integration of design optimization techniques to innovate offshore solutions, ensuring they are both efficient and environmentally sustainable. Her research interests span across various domains, including renewable energy, desalination, aquaculture, and mineral extraction. At the SEA Lab, Haji and her team are at the forefront of creating cutting-edge technologies such as wind turbines and desalination systems. These innovations are designed to harness ocean resources responsibly, balancing the need for economic growth with environmental stewardship. Her work in systems engineering and design optimization is instrumental in developing technologies that can operate efficiently in the challenging offshore environment. Haji's commitment to the Blue Economy is reflected in her research, which not only aims to improve existing technologies but also to pioneer new methods for sustainable energy production and resource extraction. Her contributions are vital in addressing global challenges related to energy and water scarcity, as well as the sustainable management of ocean resources. Through her research and teaching, Maha Haji inspires the next generation of engineers to think critically about the intersection of technology and sustainability. Her work is a testament to the potential of engineering solutions to drive positive change in the world, particularly in the context of the ever-evolving challenges posed by climate change and resource depletion. In addition to her academic and research endeavors, Haji actively collaborates with industry partners and policymakers to translate her research findings into practical applications. Her efforts are aimed at ensuring that the technologies developed in her lab have a tangible impact on society, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.