M.A. Karim, PE, PH.D. is the Founding Chair and a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management at the University of West Florida. With over 35 years of comprehensive experience spanning administration, teaching, research, consulting, and government regulations, he has established a distinguished career in civil and environmental engineering. Before joining UWF, Dr. Karim served in multiple leadership roles at Kennesaw State University, where he developed the Environmental Engineering program from the ground up. He holds a Doctor of Engineering in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Cleveland State University, as well as M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Civil Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology.
Beyond academia, Dr. Karim is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Virginia and Georgia, a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE), and a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (F.ASCE). His industry background includes over eight years working as a Senior Environmental Engineer for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Dr. Karim is highly active in research with over 60 publications focusing on areas such as soil and sediment remediation, solid and hazardous waste management, and wastewater treatment. He is also deeply involved in engineering education and accreditation, serving as a program evaluation volunteer and an ETAC Commissioner for ABET.
