Influential Woman · Civil Engineering

Siham S. Al Shanti

Adjunct Faculty, The University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM

5Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree PhD in Civil Engineering Degree Civil Construction Degree And Environmental Engineering Degree University of New Mexico Degree September 2025 Cert PhD in Civil Engineering Cert Civil Construction Cert And Environmental Engineering

Her Story

About Siham S. Al

I have been in civil engineering for 12 years, and I finished my PhD in Civil Engineering, Civil Construction, and Environmental Engineering in September 2025. My current role is as a faculty member and post-doctoral research fellow at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where I teach, instruct, and do research related to civil engineering materials and 3D printing of concrete - it's innovative stuff going on. My main area of expertise is civil and structural engineering. My typical day now involves teaching classes, doing experimental work in the lab, and serving as a reviewer of scientific papers. I received the Outstanding Reviewer Award in 2025, as well as awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers and American Concrete Institute for fellowship. One of my proudest moments was after 12 years of studying civil engineering when I graduated and my daughter was there - that was very rare in our field because people who do PhD in civil engineering require experimental testing and have to be present in the lab. I defended my PhD with distinction when my daughter was one year old. I passed my comprehensive PhD exam in my last month of pregnancy, gave the lecture and passed it, and then went to the delivery room the same day. My advisor and mentor is Dr. Mahmoud Taha, a distinguished professor in my department, and he was so supportive during the process.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Siham S. Al

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I want to tell women that you could do both - you could even do three things, four things together. I really believe it when they say women are multitasking. Even in civil engineering, which is male-dominated, you can succeed while raising a family. I teach a class where I have only 10 females out of 60 students, and in the lab I work with, it's all guys - I was the only woman. People were thinking, like, she's a girl, she can't do the work, but then I hold heavier stuff than them, I do the work. And still, with all of that, I'm still feminine - I still do my nails, I still do my hair, I still wear makeup. I did not lose my feminine part. This is an extra thing for women - if you're free and you're doing all that, that's okay, but when you're busy and you're still doing it, that's impressive. So I want to inspire other women to do it, especially in our field. You see two or three lady professors in civil engineering, but they still don't raise a family because they had no time and they keep postponing it. But I want to tell women that you could do both.

02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I appreciate family and care - that's why I'm planning to repeat that cycle and get another baby. I believe that kids before the age of three cannot control their stress and their anger, and they need to be home, so I did not put my daughter into daycare. I'm trying to be a good mom at the same time as being really successful in my career. I'm doing the breastfeeding thing, no daycare until she's three, she's always clean, she takes a shower every day. And at the same time, I'm always present, even for the smallest events at work. I appreciate people who are helping, and they did not look at me as just an extra burden. My family - my mom, my dad, my siblings - they all were supportive, and I appreciate that. Everything was helping, and I don't need to mention them because they love me, but I appreciate people who help.

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