Zahra Pournorouz

Enhancing the Thermophysical Properties of Synthetic oils Nanofluids
Replacing Traditional Homework with active learning activities for Thermodynamics

Zahra Pournorouz is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. She received her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Her teaching and educational work spans thermodynamics, automotive engineering, mechanical design, senior capstone design, and first-year engineering education. At Stevens, she serves as Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Coordinator, where she leads a large multidisciplinary capstone program, supports faculty and industry-sponsored projects, and works to strengthen assessment, project quality, and industry engagement.
Her current scholarship focuses on engineering education, particularly the use of AI-based learning tools, active and project-based learning, and innovative approaches to student engagement in thermodynamics and engineering design. Her broader research background includes thermal sciences, nanofluids, energy systems, and thermal management. She has led and contributed to externally and internally funded research proposals and has presented and published work in engineering education.
She is also active in academic and professional service, including leadership in LINK-ME/industry outreach, iShare undergraduate education initiatives, Women in Mechanical Engineering, ASME student activities, ABET assessment, and industry and alumni engagement.

Stevens Institute of Technology, Teaching Assistant Professor, Sep 2022 - Present
Tarleton State University, Assistant Professor, Sep 2021 - Aug 2022
Tarleton State University, Assistant Professor (non-Tenure Track), Jan 2019 - Aug 2021

Promoting Innovative Education Research (PIER) Program, Stevens Institute of Technology — $10,000. Project focused on AI-based learning support in Engineering Thermodynamics (2024)
Regional Division Research Collaboration Award, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES-2019)

Pournorouz, Z., Mostafavi, A., Pinto, A., Bokka, A., Jeon, J., Shin, D., (2017) “Enhanced thermophysical properties via PAO-superstructure” Nanoscale Res Lett 12: 29.
Pournorouz, Z., Tiznobaik, H., Seo, J., Mostafavi, A., Shin, D., (2020) “Enhanced specific heat of molten salt nano-eutectic via nanostructural change” ASME Journal of Heat Transfer
Yaqub, M., Rahman, M., Pournorouz, Z., Bostanci, H., Ganta, D., Xu, Y., (2020) “Optimizing Energy Infrastructure of Autonomous Electric Vehicles” IISE Annual Conference
Pournorouz, Z., (2023) "Utilizing Active Learning to Replace Traditional Homework in Undergraduate Engineering Majors" ASEE Annual Conference
Pournorouz, Z. (2024, June), Evolving the Drive: Integrating Electric Vehicle Technologies with AI in Automotive Engineering Courses Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--47367
Pournorouz, Z. (2026, June), Exploring the Impact of AI-Based Assistants on Student Learning in Engineering Courses: A Thermodynamics Case Study (Work in Progress) Paper presented at 2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Charlotte, North Carolina. 10.18260/1-2--59820
Pournorouz, Z., & Mahmoud, Y. (2026, June), Rethinking “Traditional Homework” in Thermodynamics: A Study on Optional Models and Their Impact on Student Success Paper presented at 2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Charlotte, North Carolina. 10.18260/1-2--60736

Stevens Insitute of Technology:
ENGR 234: Engineering Thermodynamics
ME 423/424: Senior Design Capstone
ME 515: Automotive Engineering
ME 322: Engineering Design VI
PRV 101: First-Year Experience