University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Education:
Ph.D., Physical Chemistry with a minor in Physics, Wayne State University
M.S., Physical Organic Chemistry, Western Michigan University
B.S., Chemistry, Alexandria University

Professor Ayoub’s research includes micellar catalysis, laser spectroscopy investigating excited state complexes, and imaging individual DNA molecules during gel electrophoresis using epifluorescence microscopy. His current research focuses on using electronic structure methods and energy decomposition analysis studying weakly bonded complexes with emphasis on hydrogen bonding using natural bond orbital techniques. Dr. Ayoub’s primary goal is developing infrastructure material, which incorporates molecular calculations across the undergraduate curriculum.

Professor Ayoub received the 2003-2004 University of Wisconsin-Washington County Rolfs Educational Foundation Teaching Award “Teacher of the Year,” 2006-2007, University of Wisconsin Colleges (UWC) Chancellor’s Teaching Fellowship, and the UWC Arthur M. Kaplan Award for significant and innovative improvement in instruction and service 2015-2016, 2014-2015, 2011-2012, 2010-2011, 2008-2009, 2007-2008, 2005-2006, 2003-2004.

He organized three chemistry mini symposia that aim to introduce best available wavefunction technology to undergraduate Chemistry faculty in Wisconsin and beyond and he was the chair of the University of Wisconsin System Chemistry Faculties Meeting in 2005. Professor Ayoub has been the advisor for an active Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) Club at the UWM at Washington County since 2000 with over 250 invited speakers from academia, research laboratories, industry, and businesses. He enjoys reading novels, poetry, and spending quality time with family.

Publications:
• Clauss AD, Ayoub M, Moore JW, Landis CR, Weinhold F, “Rabbit Ears Concepts of Water Lone Pairs: A Reply to Comments of Hiberty, Danovich, and Shaik,” Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 2015; 16:694-696. DOI: 10.1039/C5RP00061K
• Clauss AD, Nelsen SF, Ayoub M, Moore JW, Landis CR, and Weinhold F, “Rabbit-ears Hybrids, VSEPR Sterics, and Other Orbital Anachronisms,” Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 2014; 15:417-434, DOI: 10.1039/C4RP00057A

Courses Taught:
• Foundations of Chemistry
• Chemistry and Society
• Applied Chemistry and Society — Lectures and Laboratories
• Introductory Chemistry — Lectures, Discussions and Laboratories
• General Chemistry I and II — Lectures, Discussions and Laboratories
• Independent Study in Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry I and II — Lectures and Laboratories