The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans has recognized Mahdi Al-Husseini, a distinguished Georgia Tech graduate (BME '18, PP '18, MS CS '20) and U.S. Army captain, as one of its 2025 Fellows. This highly competitive fellowship, awarded to only 30 individuals nationwide from a pool of over 2,600 applicants, provides up to $90,000 in support for graduate studies in the United States.
Mahdi, who is currently pursuing a PhD in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University, has built an impressive career combining biomedical engineering, public policy, computer science, and aerospace research to optimize medical evacuation systems. His groundbreaking work applies artificial intelligence to life-saving rescue operations, improving patient transport times and enhancing battlefield evacuation protocols.
Born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and of Palestinian and Egyptian heritage, Mahdi was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, spending summers in his father’s hometown in Qatanna, Jerusalem. His background shaped his global perspective, inspiring him to leverage engineering for humanitarian impact. As an aeromedical evacuation officer and HH-60M Black Hawk pilot-in-command, he has logged over 800 flight hours across more than 20 aircraft models, contributing to military operations that save lives in high-risk environments.
Mahdi’s commitment to innovation is evident in his extensive research portfolio and technological contributions. He has authored more than six first-author publications in prestigious journals and conferences, including the Journal of Aerospace Information Systems and the Army War College’s Parameters. His work focuses on developing AI-driven methods to optimize evacuation routes and deploy medical aircraft more effectively, revolutionizing emergency response in military and civilian sectors.
Beyond academia, Mahdi is a licensed professional engineer, registered patent agent, and prolific inventor with over 30 patents and patent applications. His contributions have been widely recognized, with several of his patented technologies acquired by both the military and industry. Notably, he received the Major General Greene Innovation Award for developing a helicopter hoist stabilization system designed to improve medical evacuation missions. He also earned the XVIII Airborne Corps Dragon Lair Award for his work on an AI-powered aircraft maneuver training tool.
Mahdi’s military unit, Lightning DUSTOFF, was honored with the Airbus Robert M. Leich Army Aviation Award for its groundbreaking application of artificial intelligence in medical aircraft dispatch. Under his leadership, the unit pioneered a military exercise that used AI to coordinate medical evacuations between distant islands and moving watercraft, marking a historic advancement in rescue logistics.
Looking ahead, Mahdi aspires to lead a multidisciplinary engineering team developing field-defining innovations in rotary-wing flight test and evaluation. His goal is to refine AI-driven technologies that enhance the precision and efficiency of medical evacuation systems, ensuring that critical care reaches patients in the fastest, safest manner possible.
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans will provide Mahdi with valuable financial support for his PhD and a planned MBA at Stanford, as well as access to an elite network of scholars and innovators, further empowering his mission to revolutionize aerospace medicine and rescue operations. His selection highlights his exceptional achievements, dedication to service, and commitment to shaping the future of flight and emergency medical response.
If you are interested in applying for the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, visit success.gatech.edu/prestigious-fellowships.