Faculty Biographies

Dr. Wagdy H. Mahmoud

Dr. Wagdy H. Mahmoud received a BSEE (1975) from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, and a Master of Science, Computer Science (1989), a Master of Science, Electrical Engineering (1991), and a Ph.D. (1997) from The University of Alabama.

He is currently Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Electrical Engineering at UDC.

Dr. Mahmoud is actively involved in research in the areas of reconfigurable logic, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital logic design, image compressions, digital signal processing, computer architecture, embedded systems, system on a chip, and evolvable hardware. Currently, he is involved in the hardware/software co-design of a system on a chip using reconfigurable logic, hardware implementation of data fusion algorithms. He is also is the PI of an International collaboration project for the development of evolvable hardware design methodology (NSF grant #INT-0323578). He is the PI (UDC) of the NIH funded project titled “Automatic Segmentation and Visualization of the Mouse Prostate,” collaborating with Dr. Frickie (PI, George Town University). Dr. Mahmoud has authored 12 refereed journal and conference papers, 7 conference papers, and supervised 5 Master theses.

Dr. A. Segun Adebayo

Upon completion of his secondary education, Dr. Adebayo studied aerospace engineering at the Kiev Institute of Civil Aviation Engineering, Kiev Ukraine and graduated with honors and was awarded a MS degree in aerospace engineering and a Mechanical Engineers’ degree in 1975 with specialization in the design of high-bypass-ratio turbo-fan engine for use on a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft.

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, he earned a doctorate degree in aeronautics with specialization in aero-thermo-fluid mechanics of high performance gas turbine engine compressors and minor in physics and applied mathematics.

Dr. Adebayo is currently a professor of mechanical engineering and chair of the Department of Engineering, Architecture, and Aerospace Technology at the University of the District of Columbia and teaches undergraduate mechanical engineering disciplines with research interests in aerodynamics of rotors, aeroacoustics of aircraft engines, fluid dynamics of rotating machines, and airborne pollution transport phenomena and its impact on water sheds.

Ralph Belton

Ralph Belton received a B’Arch and M’Arch from Howard University.

He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering, Architecture and Aerospace Technology at UDC.

He has been a practicing licensed Architect in the Sate of Maryland since 1983.  He has done several built project including church building design, historic preservation, office building design and consultancies with the Embassy of Grenada.  Teaching assignments are primarily in Design, Architectural History and Structural Design. He has conducted student study tours to Europe and Japan.  Prior to joining UDC he taught a Howard University.  He has a total of 26 years of experience in the teaching profession.

Dr. Philip L. Brach

Philip L. Brach, Ph.D., PE, FNSPE, Distinguished Professor, Emeritus holds a BCE from Manhattan College in  New York,  an MSCE from the Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Catholic University in Washington, DC. He is also a Registered Professional Engineer (PE).

As a Professor Emeritus, Dr. Brach is currently teaching in the Civil Engineering Program. His primary area of expertise is in Transportation, Surveying and Forensic Engineering.  He also teaches in the University STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) NSF Grant Program in the Department of Biology.  He is a CO- PI in a Department of Education (DOE) Grant Program to develop “Hands-on” laboratory courses for entering freshmen to the Civil and Mechanical Engineering programs that do not require prerequisite math and science. This program together with the STEM program are designed to increase the participation of minorities in research oriented careers. Dr. Brach is currently the “State” Delegate to the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) House of Delegates, representing the District of Columbia Society of Professional Engineers (DCSPE). Dr. Brach has over 38 years of service to the University having held the positions of Dean of the College of Physical Science, Engineering and Technology, the College of Professional Studies, Interim Dean of the College of Education and numerous administrative positions dealing with the physical facilities of the University.

Calvin Brooks

Calvin Brooks, PE received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri, Columbia; Graduate Diploma in Science Education from Makerere University College, Kampala, Uganda; MTS in Physics from the Catholic University, Washington, DC; and MSME from the University of Maryland, College Park.

He is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) with the District of Columbia.  During his tenure at the University of the District of Columbia he has served as Chairperson and Program Director for the Mechanical Engineering Department/Program.  His areas of teaching include Thermodynamics, Engineering Graphics, Machine Design, Dynamics and Design of Thermo/Energy Systems.

Mr. Koehler

Mr. Koehler has been an aviator for more than 30 years. He graduated from Purdue University and was awarded Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1960. He was recruited into the US Navy in 1960, and in 1978, while he was still in the navy, he completed the course work that was required for the award of Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering.

Mr. Koehler is currently a professor at the University of the District of Columbia. He has taught every course that is a part of the Aviation Maintenance curriculum. A man of many interests that are related to aviation, he holds an Inspection Authorization rating, volunteers as a technical counselor and flight advisor for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and flies his private airplane frequently.

Mr. Nabitawo

Mr. Nabitawo was awarded Associate of Applied Science Degree in Aviation Maintenance in 1992 by the University of the District of Columbia and Bachelor of Science Degree in Airway Science in 1994 by the same university.

Mr. Nabitawo’s career in the aviation industry has enabled him to receive training in numerous programs concerning aircraft manufacture and maintenance that were provided by aviation organizations such as Boeing and British Aerospace. Before joining the faculty of the university, he worked as an aircraft maintenance technician for United Express, Trans World Express, and Gemini Air Cargo.

Dr. Okwosha

In 1980, Dr. Okwosha earned from Columbus Technical Institute an Associate of Applied Science in Aircraft Maintenance Technology together with FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificate. In 1993, he was awarded Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Technology by Central Missouri State University, and in 1984, he was awarded Master of Science Degree in Industrial Technology by the same university.  The College of Aeronautics in Flushing, New York hired him, as an assistant professor, in 1989 to teach in the Aerospace Technology Department of the institution. He rose to the rank of full professor before leaving the employment in 2001. While still employed at the College of Aeronautics, he continued his education at the New York University where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 2000. He has been a faculty member of the university since 2001.

Clarence W. Pearson Jr.

Clarence W. Pearson Jr. received his B. Arch. from Hampton Institute and Masters in Urban Design from Catholic University. Mr. Pearson received his registration as an architect in 1974 and has been a continuous member of the national AIA since 1974. Mr. Pearson is a professor of architecture, currently serves as the coordinator of the architecture program and is the director of the Architectural Research Institute. Mr. Pearson has had at least one grant each year for the last fourteen years and has served in the position of chairperson for eighteen years of his tenure at the University. During his tenure at Washington Technical Institute and the University of the District of Columbia, he has received many awards from students and the University, including the outstanding teacher of the year. In 2005, Mr. Pearson was elevated to a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects.