# Ahmed K. Elmagarmid

> Computer Scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q1834734](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1834734)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_K._Elmagarmid)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ahmed-k-elmagarmid

## Summary
Ahmed K. Elmagarmid is a Libyan-Qatari computer scientist and researcher recognized for his foundational contributions to database management systems. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) and is a Professor Emeritus at Purdue University.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 19, 1954, in Libya
- **Nationality:** Libya, Qatar
- **Education:** Ohio State University; University of Dayton
- **Known for:** Contributions to database management systems and research leadership
- **Employer(s):** Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI); Purdue University
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Database Management Systems

## Contributions
Ahmed K. Elmagarmid has dedicated his career to the advancement of database management systems and the growth of global computing research. During his extensive tenure at Purdue University, he established himself as a leading researcher and educator, supervising a significant number of doctoral students who have since become influential figures in the field, including Ihab Ilyas. 

His research focuses on the technical intricacies of database systems, a body of work that earned him the status of ACM Fellow in 2012. In 2010, he took on a pivotal leadership role as the founding Executive Director of the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Under his direction, the institute focuses on large-scale computing challenges relevant to the needs of Qatar and the wider region. Elmagarmid has also been a prolific author and contributor to the scientific community, with his work extensively documented across major academic platforms such as dblp, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Ahmed K. Elmagarmid's most significant professional role?
A: He is the Executive Director of the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI). He is also a noted academic who served as a professor at Purdue University.

### Q: What are his primary areas of research?
A: His work primarily focuses on computer science with a specific specialization in database management systems.

### Q: What major honors has he received?
A: He was named an ACM Fellow in 2012 for his contributions to database systems and was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2014.

## Why They Matter
Ahmed K. Elmagarmid is a central figure in the international computer science community, particularly for his role in bridging Western academic excellence with emerging research hubs in the Middle East. His technical work in database management systems provided essential advancements in how data is handled and processed, earning him fellowships in the world's most prestigious scientific organizations, including the ACM and AAAS. 

Beyond his technical output, Elmagarmid’s impact is felt through his mentorship and institutional leadership. By supervising numerous PhD candidates at Purdue University, he helped shape the next generation of computer science faculty and industry leaders. As the head of QCRI, he has been instrumental in building a world-class research infrastructure in Qatar, fostering innovation that addresses both regional and global computing challenges.

## Notable For
*   **ACM Fellow (2012):** Recognized for his significant contributions to database management systems.
*   **AAAS Fellow (2014):** Elected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his contributions to the field.
*   **Research Leadership:** Serving as the Executive Director of the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI).
*   **Academic Mentorship:** Supervised prominent doctoral students including Ihab Ilyas, Muhammad Farrukh Khan, and Thanaa Ghanem.

## Body
### Academic Background and Education
Ahmed K. Elmagarmid was born in Libya on March 19, 1954. He moved to the United States for his higher education, attending the University of Dayton and later Ohio State University, where he completed his doctoral studies in computer science.

### Professional Career
Elmagarmid held a long-standing position at Purdue University, where he served as a professor in the Department of Computer Science. His academic career is marked by a strong emphasis on research and the development of new scholars. He has supervised several notable doctoral students, including:
*   Ihab Ilyas
*   Muhammad Farrukh Khan
*   Thanaa Ghanem
*   Moustafa Hammad
*   Mohamed Galal Elfeky
*   Mohamed Yasin Eltabakh

In his later career, he transitioned to Qatar to lead the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), an entity under Hamad Bin Khalifa University focused on multidisciplinary computing research.

### Awards and Professional Recognition
Elmagarmid has received several of the highest honors available to computer scientists:
*   **ACM Distinguished Member (2009):** Awarded by the Association for Computing Machinery.
*   **ACM Fellow (2012):** Awarded for his contributions to database management systems.
*   **AAAS Fellow (2014):** Recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his efforts in advancing science.

### Scientific Output and Identifiers
His research is widely cited and indexed across international databases. He is identified by the following records:
*   **ORCID/Identifiers:** ISNI: 0000000030187399; VIAF: 7661703.
*   **Academic Profiles:** dblp (e/AKElmagarmid), Google Scholar (Cb9BDJkAAAAJ), and ResearchGate.
*   **Library Records:** Library of Congress (n92028888) and the National Library of Israel.

## References

1. [Source](https://spectrum.ieee.org/podcast/at-work/innovation/arab-engineering-rising)
2. BnF authorities
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project
4. [Source](https://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/ake/)
5. [Source](https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/qcri/officials/dr-ahmed-k-elmagarmid)
6. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2012/december/acm-fellows-named-for-computing-innovations-that-advance-technologies-in-information-age)
7. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/distinguished-members/award-winners)
8. [Source](https://www.aaas.org/news/new-aaas-fellows-recognized-their-contributions-advancing-science)
9. general catalog of BnF
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File