Alexandra started teaching two decades ago as a Teaching Assistant, in her first year as a Master student in Mechanical Engineering, fresh out of an undergraduate course in Physics Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal.  

 

Her teaching continued throughout her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, at Instituto Superior Técnico, after spending three semesters at UC Berkeley. Alexandra's doctoral work focused on the multidisciplinary and topology optimization of morphing aircraft wings.  

 

In 2005, Alexandra joined Instituto Superior Técnico as an Assistant Professor, and, in early 2013, she joined KAUST as a consultant for the Geometric Modeling and Scientific Visualization Center. In August 2014, she started teaching at KAUST as a Visiting Assistant Professor in both the CEMSE and PSE divisions.  

 

Alexandra joined KAUST faculty as a Lecturer in July 2018, becoming Instructional Associate Professor in July 2021. She is the recipient of the 2020 KAUST Distinguished Teaching Award.