Wafa Elmannai

Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Dr. Elmannai joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Manhattan College in 2018 as an assistant professor after receiving her Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Her main research interests include mobile communications, wireless sensor networks, design of mobile applications, computer vision and health assistive devices.

Education

  • Ph.D. Computer Science and Engineering, University of Bridgeport, CT
  • M.S. Computer Science, University of Bridgeport, CT
  • B.S. Computer Science, College of Electronic Technology, Tripoli-Libya

Courses Taught

  • EECE 229: Introduction to Digital Systems
  • EECE 315: Probability and Statistics for Engineers
  • EECE 410: Capstone Design I
  • EECE 411: Capstone Design II
  • EECE 473: Operating Systems for Computer Engineering
  • EECE 476: Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures for Computer Engineering
  • EECE 491: Special Topics in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering
  • ECEG 771: Cloud Computing & Physical Sys
  • ECEG 781: Computer Architecture I
  • Research

    Wireless sensor networks, mobile communications, quantum computing, design of mobile applications, computer vision and health assistive devices.

  • Publications and Scholarly Activities

    Peer Reviewed Journals:

    • Aditi Deshpande, Thomas Cambria , Charles Barnes , Alexandros Kerwick , George Livanos , Michalis Zervakis , Anthony Beninati , Nicolas Douard , Martin Nowak , James Basilion , Jennifer L. Cutter , Gloria Bauman , Suman Shrestha , Zoe Giakos , Wafa Elmannai , Yi Wang , Paniz Foroutan , Tannaz Farrahi and George C. Giakos, "Fluorescent Imaging and Multifusion Segmentation for Enhanced Visualization and Delineation of Glioblastomas Margins." Signals, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2021, pp. 304-335.
    • Elmannai, Wafa, Yi Wang, Eltion Aliaj, Ahnaf Chowdhury, Rishamdeep Khehra, Dilara Yildi, and Solange Soria. "FRIES: First Response Interactive Emergency System for the Visually and Hearing Impaired." INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRY, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2020, pp. 2204-0595.
    • Amin, Mahmoud, Ahmed Al-Durra, and Wafa Elmannai. "Experimental Validation of High-Performance HIL-Based Real-Time PMU Model for WAMS." IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 56, No. 3, 2020, pp. 2382-2392.
    • Wafa Elmannai and Khaled Elleithy, "A Highly Accurate and Reliable Data Fusion Framework for Guiding the Visually Impaired," IEEE Access Journal, Vol. 6, July 2018, pp. 33029 - 33054.
    • Wafa Elmannai and Khaled Elleithy, “Sensor-Based Assistive Devices for Visually-Impaired People: Current Status,
      Challenges, and Future Directions,” Sensors, Vol. 17, No. 3, March 2017, pp. 1-42.
    • Wafa Elmannai, Ammar Odeh, and Christian Bach. "Academic Use of Online Social Networks." International Journal of
      Innovation and Applied Studies, Vol. 3 No. 2 June 2013, pp. 337‐345
    • Wafa Elmannai, Abdul Razaque, Khaled Elleithy, “TCP-UB: A new Congestion Aware Transmission Control Protocol
      Variant,” International Journal of Computer Networks & Communications, Vol.4, No.4, July 2012, pp. 129 – 141.
    • Wafa Elmannai, Abdul Razaque, Khaled Elleithy, " Deployment of TCP University of Bridgeport (UB) to Control Law
      Enforcement Department over Wireless Mesh Network," Journal of Communications and Computer Engineering, Vol 3,
      No. 1, July 2012, pp. 40-47.

    Peer Reviewed Conferences 

    • Wafa Elmannai, Paige Isaiah, Rexha Rei, and Rivera Marcia. "A Highly Secure Platform that Supports Smart Locks." In 2020 IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE). IEEE, 2020. pp. 1-6. [Best Paper Award].
    • Wafa Elmannai and Khaled Elleithy, “A Novel Obstacle Avoidance System for Guiding the Visually Impaired through
      the use of Fuzzy Control Logic,” 3rd Workshop on Accessible Devices and Services (ADS), 15th IEEE Annual Consumer
      Communications & Networking Conference (CCNC), Las Vegas, USA, 12-15 January 2018.
    • Rowida Alharbi, Khaled Elleithy, Alaa Alharbi, and Wafa Elmannai, “Secure Cloud WLAN using Dynamic Placement
      and Migration with a Cloud Name Resolution Protocol,” IEEE Long Island Systems, Applications and Technology
      LISAT2015, Long Island, NY, May 2015.
    • Alaa Alharbi, Khaled Elleithy, Rowida Alharbi, and Wafa Elmannai, “A Highly Portable Enhanced Password Protection
      Environment,” 2015 ASEE Northeast Section Conference, Boston, May 1-2, 2015.
    • Wafa Elmannai and Khaled Elleithy, “Cost Analysis of 5th Generation Technology,” CAINE-2014, 27th International
      Conference on Computer Applications in Industry and Engineering, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 13-15, 2014.
    • Wafa Elmannai, Khaled Elleithy, Ajay Shrestha, Mohamed Alshibli, Reem Alataas, “A new Algorithm Based on Discrete
      Fourier Transform to Improve the Lifetime of Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks Communications,” the 2014 Zone
      1 Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education, Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.A, April 3 – 5, 2014.
    • Varun Pande, Khaled Elleithy, Wafa Elmannai, Elham Geddeda, “A Quantum Fuzzy Logic for a Secure and Safe
      Wireless Network Communication,” ICAT’14 International Conference on Advanced Technology & Science, Antalya,
      Turkey, 12-15 August, 2014.
    • Wafa Elmannai, Khaled Elleithy, Varun Pande and Elham Geddeda, “Quantum Security Using Property of a Quantum
      Wave Function,” IEEE LISAT 2014 Long Island Systems, Applications and Technology, Long Island, New York, May 2,
      2014.
    • Wafa Elmannai, Varun Pande, Khaled Elleithy, “Quantum Observable,” The International Conference on Machines
      Applications and Embedded Systems, June 22 - 24, 2013.
    • Varun Pande, Wafa Elmannai, Khaled Elleithy, “Mobile and Wi-Fi Geo location Using Google Latitude,” 2013
      International Conference on Mobile Applications and Security Management, Sousse, Tunisia, June 22 - 24, 2013.
    • Varun Pande, Wafa Elmannai, Khaled Elleithy, “Classification and Detection of Fire on WSN Using IMB400
      Multimedia Sensor Board,” 2013 IEEE Long Island Systems, Applications and Technology Conference, Farmingdale
      State College - State University of New York, May 3, 2013.
    • Wafa Elmannai, Khaled Elleithy, Varun Pande, “Efficient and Optical Character Recognition Algorithm for Signature
      Recognition,” 25th International Conference on Computers and Their Applications in Industry and Engineering
      (CAINE-2012), New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, November 14 – 16, 2012.
    • Varun Pande, Wafa Elmannai, Khaled Elleithy, “Optimized Algorithm for Fire Detection over WSN using Micaz
      Motes,” 25th International Conference on Computers and Their Applications in Industry and Engineering (CAINE-2012),
      New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, November 14 – 16, 2012.
    • Wafa Elmannai, Khaled Elleithy and Abdul Razaque, “A High Performance and Efficient TCP Variant”, ASEE
      Northeast Section Conference, University of Massachusetts Lowell, April 27th - 28th, 2012.
    • Abdul Razaque, Khaled Elleithy, Fadel Hussen, Omar Etach, and Wafa Elmammai, “Novel Proactive Patch Peer
      Protocol to Support faster Delivery of Video-on-Demand,” 2011 ASEE Northeast Section Conference, University of
      Hartford, Connecticut, April 29-30, 2011.
    • Wafa Elmammai, Abdul Razaque, and Khaled Elleithy “Simulation based Study of TCP Variants in Hybrid Network,”
      2011 ASEE Northeast Section Conference, University of Hartford, Connecticut, April 29-30, 2011.
  • Professional Experience and Memberships

    Professional Societies:

    • Member of the honor society Phi Kappa Phi University of Bridgeport Chapter since April 2012
    • Member of Women of Engineering Society since 2013
    • Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE since 2014
    • Member of IEEE Communications Society since 2014
    • Member of Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects (AAAEA), 2017

    Professional Activities and Volunteer Work:

    • Member of College of CFA Diversity Committee at Manhattan College (elected in 2021).
    • Chair of Technical and Poster Sessions, 2020 Annual Conference Northeast Section (ASEE-NE), University of Bridgeport, October 16th, 2020.
    • Chair of Machine & Computer Vision Session, The 2020 IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sept 1st , 2020.
    • Reviewer/Referee of (2018-present): IEEE Access Journal, Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, Pattern Analysis and Application, Electronics MDPI, Journal of Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering, Thousand Oaks, CA, and Assistive Technology Journal. 
    • Member of College Judiciary Committee on Student Affairs at Manhattan College (Elected on Sept 2019).
    • ABET committee co-coordinator, Computer Engineering Program, appointed May 15, 2019.
    • Program-level Curriculum Committee, Co-coordinator, appointed Spring 2019.
    • For first time in UB history, Dr. Elmannai was elected as AAUW Campus Ambassador, 2016.
    • President of the honor society of Upsilon by Epsilon organization University of Bridgeport Chapter since April 2014 up to
    • 2018, While Wafa served as Vice president 2012-2014
    • Monitor in the Connecticut Skills Challenge sponsored by Connecticut Technology Council, Dec 3rd 2016.
    • Judge in first stage of Connecticut Skills Engineering and Manufacturing Challenge sponsored by Connecticut Technology Council, University of Bridgeport, Oct 2016.
    • Hosting the Hour of Database event, University of Bridgeport, Feb 2016.
    • Volunteer in Girls of Innovation Science Challenge, June 13 2015, Hartford, CT.
    • 2004 - 2009 Computer Science Teacher, Libya, evening time.
  • Honors, Awards, and Grants
    • Awarded summer grant for summer 2020 in support of the ongoing research, "Improving Medical Devices for Visually and Hearing Impaired by Detecting Large Objects, Shadows, and Unleveled Floors," Manhattan College, this grant was awarded on November 21, 2019. 
    • School of Engineering, Faculty Development Plan, awarded for one-course per year reduction for a three-year period (Fall 2019 – Spring 2022). Awarded in April 2019. 
    • The best paper award, "Vulnerability Analysis and Modeling," The 10th IEEE Annual Ubiquitous Computing, Electronics, and Mobile Communication Conference, Venue: Columbia University, 10th  12th October 2019.  
    • $20,000 AAUW grant from the Association of University Women, International Fellowship for 2015-2016, for designing an intelligent framework for assisting blind people navigating indoor and outdoor and make it economically accessible. 
    • Outstanding President Award; the Upsilon Pi Epsilon International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines (UPE), April 27th, 2018; Wafa was presented with the Chapter Emblem and awarded a Certificate of Recognition to honor her outstanding involvement and continued service to the chapter since her induction in 2012.
    • 2018 Engineering Academic Achievement Award, University of Bridgeport - the USA, April 27th, 2018.
    • CMOC Best Poster Paper Prize in the 27th annual Connecticut Symposium on Microelectronics & Optoelectronics (CMOC) for their research involving sensors, image processing, and other technologies; poster title "Development of Efficient and Accurate Obstacle Avoidance System to Guide the Visually Impaired with the Integration of Fuzzy Logic System in Static and Dynamic Environments"; Yale University, CT; April 4th, 2018.
    • First Place in the Doctoral category at Faculty Research Day; Poster title: "Computer Vision-Based Framework for Supporting the Mobility of the Visually Impaired," University of Bridgeport, March 24, 2018.
    • Honorable Mention Award from the Honor Society of Upsilon by Epsilon organization ($500), Sept 2017 CMOC Best Poster Paper Prize in the 26th annual Connecticut Symposium on Microelectronics & Optoelectronics (CMOC) for their research involving sensors, image processing, and other technologies; poster title: "An Accurate Data Fusion System for Visually Impaired"; University of Connecticut, CT; April 5th, 2017.
    • 2017 Engineering Academic Achievement Award, University of Bridgeport - the USA, April 28th, 2017.
    • 2016 Engineering Academic Achievement Award, University of Bridgeport - USA, May 2016.
    • 2016 School Services award, University of Bridgeport - USA, May 2016.
    • Third Place in Connecticut Skills Challenge, Connecticut Technology Council (CTC), April 2nd, 2016.
    • UPE Executive Council Award ($2,500), Oct 2015, The UPE Executive Council Award is UPE's highest award and was awarded only to three at the national level.
    • Highest Standard Oil Academic Accomplishments of $1,000 Award, May 2015
    • 2015 Engineering Academic Achievement Award, University of Bridgeport - USA, May 2015, Wafa was awarded a plaque for best student at Engineering school for this year that was due to her number of prizes and achievements that she received this year.
    • The third position in Faculty Research Day for the presented poster, University of Bridgeport, 2015
    • 2015 School Services award, University of Bridgeport - USA, May 2015.
    • 2014 Engineering Academic Achievement Award, University of Bridgeport - USA, 2014
    • 2014 Best Professional Paper Award of the ASEE Conference ($300 award), May 2014
    • 2014 School Services award, University of Bridgeport - USA, May 2014.
    • Special Recognition Award $1,250 from the honor society of Upsilon by Epsilon organization, 2012
    • The third position in UB Faculty Research day event | University of Bridgeport -2012
    • Scholarship award by the Libyan Government to study M.S.
    • Graduated with highest honors, ranking 4th among several students in B.S. Degree- 2005
  • Other
    • Web Developer license, Independent Software's A100 Program, Stamford Cohort, CT