The Next Big Thing: Graduate Student Taha Ayari

Get to know Taha, a graduate student pursuing his passion for photonics and electronics with research and classes at GTL.

Posted by Harry 

Photo courtesy of Taha Ayari

 

Name: Taha Ayari

Major/Field of Study: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Year in Grad School: Currently in his 4th year with Georgia Tech in pursuit of a PHD.

Undergraduate Institution: Ecole Supérieure des Communications de Tunis (2 years), Georgia Tech (2 years)

Interests/Hobbies: Sports, especially soccer and swimming.

One piece of advice for graduate students: “Hard works pays off.”

Baguette or Croissant? “Depends. A croissant in the morning and a baguette for lunch.”

Taha is a graduate student currently working in the “Materials and Nanostructures for Photonics and Electronics” group at the Georgia Tech-CNRS (French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) international research lab. He works closely with his advisor and the boss of our Georgia Tech Lorraine campus, Dr. Abdallah and also with Dr. Paul Voss. The research they do focuses around Semi-Conductor Material and Optoelectronics.

Taha’s journey here to GTL started in Tunisia, where the school system is a little different. After high school, they go to an “école préparatoire” or “preparatory school” for two years before pursuing their degree. He chose GTL after graduating and considers it a very special opportunity because it is both international, a chance to gain a dual degree, and overall best program. Upon completion of his research, Taha hopes to hop into the R&D Industry and get a job there. He’s already got his Master’s degree and published a paper, so the future looks bright!

Talking to Taha, you can really see the passion he has about his research and the overall atmosphere and opportunity of being at GTL. The things he loves about GTL is that it’s a small, close-knit community, unlike many of the large collegiate institutions we hail from in the states. He also loves Metz, because unlike some touristy places across France, it actually “looks like France.” At his lab, he praises the teamwork that goes on.

Amongst all the hectic travel we’ll be doing, there will be definitely times we should just take a breath and appreciate life at GTL, the community we’re a part of, and the wonderful city of Metz as Taha mentions. Best of luck with your semester Taha, and best of luck to all of you fellow GTL peers.