A Teacher at Heart: Professor Elhamod Pushes Limits and Bridges Borders to Inspire at Questrom

What does it take to push past your limits and unlock your true potential? Professor Mohannad Elhamod believes it’s about stepping into the unknown and embracing the discomfort that shapes who you are. From his early days in Syria to his role as a professor at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, Mohannad’s life is a story of resilience, discipline, and transformation.

Growing up in Syria, Mohannad was surrounded by a family that deeply valued education and intellectual curiosity. His uncle, a physicist, and his mother, an English literature scholar, fostered a culture of learning and discovery. This passion led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science at the Jordan University of Science and Technology. His academic journey continued at McGill University, where he earned a Master of Engineering and deepened his expertise in computer vision and neural networks. Finally, Mohannad completed a PhD in Computer Science at Virginia Tech, focusing on science-guided machine learning, causal inference, and data analytics.

However, his path to academia wasn’t linear. During the Syrian conflict, Mohannad made the difficult decision to step away from academia. For seven years, he worked at Microsoft, where he honed his technical and leadership skills, contributing to projects that shaped his professional growth. His work also led him to collaborate with NASA, giving him a global perspective on technology’s transformative power.

Despite his success in the corporate world, the desire to return to academia never faded. “There were times I thought I had lost my path as a teacher forever,” he admits. Yet, his PhD journey rekindled his love for teaching and learning, paving the way for his return.

Photos below depict Professor Elhamod at the NASA Langley Research Center and Virginia Tech, where he earned his PhD in Computer Science.

Mohannad’s path to Questrom was unexpected. Encouraged by his wife, Jonilda Bahja, to explore opportunities in business schools, he realized that his technical expertise and passion for teaching aligned perfectly with Questrom’s interdisciplinary approach. “It felt like everything I had learned and experienced was coming together,” he recalls.

At Questrom, Mohannad found not just a professional role but a vibrant, supportive community. Colleagues like Professor Jay Zagorsky welcomed him warmly and shared insights about integrating business principles with technology.

Much of Mohannad’s teaching philosophy is shaped by his experience in martial arts. He vividly recalls winter karate camps in Canada, where he trained bare-chested in subzero temperatures. The freezing cold, physical strain, and mental challenge were transformative.

“You don’t realize your limits until you’re pushed.”

Professor Mohannad Elhamod

Photos below depict Professor Elhamod in photographer mode.

Photos below depict Professor Elhamod at winter karate camp (left) and practicing Aikido (right).

These lessons in discipline and perseverance became a cornerstone of his life and now inform his teaching approach. He sets high expectations for his students—not to overwhelm them, but to help them discover their own strength.

“I want them to be ready for the wilderness out there,” he explains.

He also credits his mentors, saying:

“My mentor, Karate Sensei Redwan Hajj Mohammad from Syria, and my Aikido Sensei Malory Graham from Seattle have been idols for me, shaping my character, philosophy, and approach to life.”

Beyond teaching, Mohannad finds grounding in his passions for martial arts and photography. Through martial arts, he has learned the importance of community, discipline, and resilience. Photography, on the other hand, allows him to connect with people and capture the beauty of life’s randomness.

Whether practicing a kata in the snow or capturing a candid moment on the streets of D.C., Mohannad approaches life with curiosity and a deep desire to explore.

For Mohannad, Questrom represents more than just an academic institution—it’s a place where innovation meets purpose. He sees himself not only as an educator but as someone contributing to a larger mission: fostering responsible leaders who make meaningful contributions to society.

“Questrom challenges me as much as it challenges the students,” he says.
“It’s a community that constantly pushes you to think bigger, collaborate more deeply, and focus on impact.”

His advice to students is simple but powerful:“Learn, grow, and adapt, but never compromise who you are.”

His journey from Syria to Questrom is a reflection of this belief. Each step—whether a challenge or an achievement—has shaped him into the mentor and educator he is today.

At Questrom, Mohannad is more than a professor; he is an inspiration to students who are learning not just about business and technology but about resilience, leadership, and the power of embracing life’s challenges.

Interview by Jyotirmaya Patro’25

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