The Jury

“In the face of challenges, remember that adversity is a catalyst for growth and innovation”

Always armed with a dose of tough love, Professor Mrad never shies away from telling it like it is. His years of experience as an industrial product developer, academic researcher, regional asvisor in science technology and innovation policymaking, and recently Innovation consultant make him a recognizable thought leader of technology and innovation in the Arab world. 

As the longest-tenured juror on the panel, Professor Mrad brings gravitas and know-how to Stars of Science.  Often one of the first jurors that innovators meet during the casting phase, he is ‘The Instigator’ of their Stars of Scienceexperience in so many ways. In every season for the past 15 years, he has been guiding the region’s brightest minds during each step of their innovation journey with his ‘firm but fair’ approach.  

Professor Mrad received his Ph.D. and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in Indiana, USA after graduating with a BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from State University of New York, Buffalo, USA. He started his professional career as an automation engineer in IBM’s Magnetic Storage Division in Minnesota, USA. Later, he moved to Beirut to serve as a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the American University of Beirut (AUB) until 2009. 

Between 2010 and 2023, Professor Mrad led efforts for harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development at the United Nations regional Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA). He was the founding Executive Director of ESCWA regional Technology Centre in Jordan between 2011 and 2017 developing and implementing national technology transfer programs and policies in several Arab countries. Professor Mrad remains an academic at heart, having authored and contributed to a wide variety of academic papers and journals. In 2024, he joined Alyafi IP Group in New York as the associate partner for innovation consulting. 

"Nurture your passion for knowledge, for it is through learning that you will discover the solutions to the world's most pressing problems. SOS participants are invited to seek wisdom from every corner of the earth, while also cherishing and finding inspiration in the knowledge rooted within their own communities and traditions."