Prof. Souhir Tounsi | Electrical Power Systems Design | Best Researcher Award
Professor at National School of Electronics and Telecommunications of Sfax, Tunisia
Dr. Souhir Tounsi is a leading Tunisian academic and researcher in the field of electrical and electronic engineering, currently serving as a Professor at the National School of Electronics and Telecommunications (ENET’Com) in Sfax, Tunisia. With over two decades of experience in higher education and research, Dr. Tounsi has significantly contributed to the advancement of electric vehicle technologies and the systematic optimization of power chains in electrical systems. Her work has not only enhanced the theoretical understanding of electric mobility but also produced tangible tools and methodologies for efficient electric vehicle design. Her dedication to academic excellence, innovation, and mentorship makes her a strong contender for the AI Data Scientist Awards under the Excellence in Research category.
Profile
Education
Dr. Tounsi’s academic journey began with an Electrical Engineering diploma from the National School of Engineering of Sfax (ENIS) in June 2000, followed by an Advanced Studies Diploma (DEA) in Electronics in 2001. She pursued her doctoral studies between 2002 and 2006 at ENIS within the “Electric Vehicle Technologies” research team at the Electronics and Information Technology Laboratory (LETI). Her Ph.D. thesis, supervised by Prof. F. Sellami, focused on the “Modeling and Optimization of the Motorization and Autonomy of an Electric Vehicle,” and earned her honors and recognition, including the prestigious MEDELEC fair prize. In May 2012, she obtained her habilitation in Electrical Engineering with a research focus on the systematic design and optimization of electric vehicle power chains. Her work emphasized the development of rapid design tools based on analytical modeling and 2D Finite Element Methods, optimizing system reliability and cost-efficiency.
Experience
Professionally, Dr. Tounsi has accumulated a wealth of teaching and research experience. She began her academic career as a contractual assistant at various institutions in Sfax between 2002 and 2004, including the Faculty of Sciences and the Higher Institute of Computer Science and Multimedia. From 2004 to 2006, she served as an assistant at the Higher Institute of Electronics and Communication of Sfax (ISECS), where she was later promoted to assistant professor (2006–2013). In 2013, she joined ENET’Com as a lecturer and ascended to the position of full professor in 2022. Throughout her career, she has actively contributed to educational development while leading and co-supervising several theses and research projects.
Research Interest
Dr. Tounsi’s research interests are primarily centered on electric vehicle systems, with particular emphasis on motor-converter-control integration, modeling and optimization techniques, power chain design, and energy efficiency. Her interdisciplinary work bridges the fields of electronics, industrial computing, and control systems. She has supervised and co-supervised a total of seven doctoral theses and guided five research master’s projects. Her scholarly contributions include over 75 peer-reviewed journal articles, 58 conference presentations, 10 books, and 2 patents, reflecting both the breadth and depth of her expertise. Since 2020, her publications have received more than 840 citations, indicating the widespread academic impact of her research. She holds an h-index of 15 and an i10-index of 33, affirming the consistent quality and influence of her scholarly output.
Awards
Among her accolades, Dr. Tounsi was awarded the MEDELEC fair prize during her doctoral studies, recognizing her outstanding contributions to electric vehicle research. Her inventions, published works, and practical methodologies have made her a respected figure in the field of electrical engineering and a role model for women in STEM.
Publications
Dr. Tounsi’s key publications include:
“Energy Optimization in Electric Vehicles: FEM-Based Methodologies,” International Journal of Power Electronics, 2021 – cited by 26 articles.
“Design of High-Efficiency Motor-Converters for EV Applications,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2020 – cited by 34 articles.
“Autonomy Enhancement in Electric Mobility: Control System Integration,” Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology, 2022 – cited by 18 articles.
“Rapid Simulation Tools for EV Powertrain Design,” Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, 2023 – cited by 15 articles.
“Optimization of Converter Control in Hybrid Systems,” Electronics Letters, 2020 – cited by 12 articles.
“Modeling of Losses in Electric Drives for Automotive Use,” Applied Sciences, 2021 – cited by 11 articles.
“Intelligent Control of Power Flow in Electric Vehicles,” Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems, 2022 – cited by 9 articles.
Conclusion
Dr. Souhir Tounsi exemplifies excellence in research, education, and innovation in electric and electronic systems engineering. Her multidisciplinary approach, dedication to sustainability in transportation, and commitment to academic mentorship have had a far-reaching impact in Tunisia and beyond. Through her numerous publications, patents, and teaching roles, she continues to shape the future of electric mobility and inspire the next generation of engineers and researchers. Her nomination for the AI Data Scientist Awards is a testament to her outstanding contributions to science and technology.