Elham Fadaly, Laser Research Scientist at Apple, California.  Elham has a PhD in Applied Physics from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. Dual MSc in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, concentration Nanoelectronics from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. BSc of Electronics from the American University Cairo (Egypt).

 She has lived abroad for nearly 11 years since completing her undergraduate studies. Her journey began in Europe, where she pursued both her master’s and PhD degrees. In 2022, upon finishing her doctoral studies, she accepted a research scientist position at Apple, CA, contributing to one of their exploratory projects in Silicon Valley, California. Her move to the US was driven by her passion for technology and the advancements in science. Silicon Valley, renowned for its pioneering tech companies and leading universities, appealed to her as a hub of innovation. “However, moving to the US after living in Europe for more than 10 years was not an easy step. The culture difference between Europe and the US was quite challenging at the beginning. It is not easy being a woman scientist and engineer in the Hardware Technology field,” Elham explains. 

The biggest differences she noticed between life in Egypt and life in the USA are the pace of life and cultural norms. “The USA has a fast-paced, highly competitive environment, while Egypt has a more community-oriented lifestyle. The work-life balance and social interactions also differ significantly between the two cultures.”

Elham maintains every aspect related to Egyptian culture despite being abroad for more than 10 years. She takes pleasure in cooking traditional Egyptian food, particularly dishes from Upper Egypt, where she was born and raised. “It’s a pleasure to share these traditional meals with friends and colleagues here in the USA.”

Elham believes it is crucial to maintain the Egyptian identity and heritage. “Living abroad for over a decade hasn’t dimmed my cultural pride. I actively celebrate Egyptian holidays like Ramadan and Easter with traditional foods and decorations, and with the same spirit as back home. Staying connected with family and friends back home and engaging with the Egyptian community in the USA are also vital ways I preserve my heritage.”

She watches Egyptian series and movies on TV, and listens to music. “It helps me stay connected with my roots and keeps me updated on the latest cultural trends in Egypt.” She also visits Egypt, more once a year. Seeing the Egyptian flag or hearing the anthem fills her with immense pride and nostalgia. “It’s a powerful reminder of my roots and the rich cultural heritage I carry with me,” she adds.

Elham is the only Egyptian at Apple and one of the few women in hardware technology within the company. She takes pride in being recognized for her exceptional/extraordinary ability during filing her immigration status to the US, especially as being a young scientist in a hard STEM field that is usually male dominated. 

Elham faces cultural and societal challenges as an Egyptian woman living in the USA, including stereotypes and misconceptions about her background as an Arab/Egyptian/Muslim-Hijabi and above all, a woman in a complex STEM field like Physics. “Navigating these challenges involves staying true to my values, educating others about my culture and my values, and building a supportive network of friends, colleagues, and mentors,” she says. 

In addition, she often encounters stereotypes or misconceptions about Egyptian women,

such as assumptions about their education and career aspirations. She address them by showcasing her achievements, engaging in open dialogues, and highlighting the diverse roles that Egyptian women play in various fields.

She often takes the opportunity to bring home-cooked Egyptian food to the office, including common desserts and drinks such as Ramadan desserts (Qatayf/Kunafa) and Eid Al-Fitr cookies, for her colleagues. 

These occasions provide a wonderful opportunity to share a significant part of her culture. Her colleagues have been receptive and interested to learn about Egyptian traditions, highlighting the beauty of cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Among many accomplishments she achieved since moving to the USA, Elham is most proud of her work at Apple, where she contributes to cutting-edge research in hardware technology, especially in the Photonics field. She has also been recognized as a key player in her field and finds fulfillment in mentoring young women in STEM. In 2022, she was named among the 35 under 35 innovators list by MIT Technology Review in Europe.

Additionally, Elham has been awarded two prestigious honors: the Martinus van Marum 2023 Science Prize and an Honorable Mention from the Christian Huygens 2023, both awarded by the Royal Dutch Academy for Sciences and Arts in the Netherlands. These awards recognize her innovative and original PhD research.

Elham believes that Integration is crucial for new immigrants to build a supportive network and access opportunities. They can achieve this by learning the local language, participating in community events, and being open to new experiences while staying connected to their roots.

Her advice to Egyptian women who are considering moving to or are currently living in the USA

 is to stay resilient and confident in their abilities. Embrace the opportunities and challenges, stay connected to your culture, and seek out supportive communities and mentors. Your unique background is an asset that can enrich your new environment.

“As an Egyptian woman in the tech industry, I strive to pave the way for others and show that we can excel and make significant contributions in any field we choose. May we always work with passion, focus, and respect for those who are different from us.”