New faculty member brings deep commitment to students’ growth
Shokouh Pourarian has joined mechanical and industrial engineering as a clinical assistant professor.
Pourarian is bringing her academic and industry expertise to teach various courses within the Master of Energy Engineering program and the mechanical engineering curriculum. Her goal is to foster an environment of academic excellence where students can thrive intellectually and personally.
One of her foremost aspirations is to elevate the profile of the Master of Energy Engineering program, with a particular emphasis on attracting and engaging a wider pool of talented students. Pourarian is deeply committed to equipping the next generation of professionals to address our planet’s multifaceted challenges. By enhancing the curriculum to align closely with industry requirements, she aims to prepare graduates to make meaningful contributions to energy engineering.
“I aim to inspire and challenge my students to think critically, develop their analytical skills, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning,” she said. “Beyond imparting knowledge, I strive to mentor and support students in their academic and professional pursuits, guiding them toward realizing their full potential.”
She is dedicated to advancing her field through research, innovative teaching methods, and meaningful engagement with the broader academic community, and wants students to know that she is profoundly committed to their success and growth.
“I view myself as a partner in their educational journey. I endeavor to foster a supportive and stimulating learning environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, explore new concepts, and challenge themselves intellectually,” she said.
Pourarian wants students to be comfortable approaching her and know she supports them personally as well as academically, as she guides them through challenges and celebrates their achievements.
In addition to students, Pourarian wants her colleagues to know she is a dedicated and collaborative team player, who is reliable, approachable, and dedicated to making positive contributions to the academic community.
“I value building strong relationships based on mutual respect and open communication, and I am always eager to collaborate on initiatives that enhance our shared goals and benefit our students,” she said.
Pourarian’s research focus spans several areas, which include energy management, energy-efficient building design, industry energy conservation, building control and operation, fault detection and diagnosis, heating and air conditioning systems, and numerical methods in heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
“I am eager to collaborate with fellow MIE faculty members in areas that align with my expertise and interests,” she said.