Sirin Hamsho facts for kids

Serene Hamsho (Arabic: سيرين حمشو), also known as Sirin Hamsho, was born in Hama, Syria in 1986. She is a Syrian engineer and inventor who focuses on renewable energy. She is well-known for her work with wind energy. In 2016, the BBC recognized her as one of their 100 Women, a list of inspiring women from around the world.

Serene Hamsho is also a TV presenter. She had her own show on Iqraa TV in 2010. She became more widely known in 2015 for her short film called "Immigration." More recently, she released another film titled "The First Message."

Serene Hamsho's Education and Career

Serene Hamsho studied electronic engineering at the University of Kalamoon in Syria, earning her bachelor's degree in 2008. She then went on to get a master's degree in managing renewable energy from the University of Versailles in France. In 2017, she continued her professional studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In 2012, Hamsho started working at General Electric in Schenectady, New York. She is currently a Wind Turbine Electrical Design Engineer there. This means she helps design the electrical parts inside wind turbines.

Besides her engineering degrees, she also has a bachelor's degree in Islamic law from Damascus University in Syria. She is also involved in several organizations. She is a board member of the Al-Andaluse Islamic Studies Center in Syria. She also works as a consultant at the Center of Women of Faith and Leadership at IGE in Washington D.C. Additionally, she is a board member of New York Interfaith for Power and Light.

Her Invention and Recognition

Serene Hamsho worked on inventing a design to protect the electrical parts inside a wind turbine. She noticed that these parts often got damaged because of the constant movement of the turbine. She wanted to find a way to keep them safe. However, her invention's early version was not continued.

Hamsho is seen as an inspiring Arab woman. Her efforts to invent something new happened during a difficult time in the Middle East, including the Syrian Civil War and the Arab Spring.

In 2018, Hamsho received the IEEE Women in Engineering award for "Women in Leadership." This award recognizes women who show strong leadership in engineering. Also in 2018, the Arabs Americans Association of Engineers and Architects gave her an honorary award for her achievements.

Serene Hamsho's Family Life

Serene Hamsho is married to Omar Al Assad, who is also an engineer and scientist educated at MIT. They have two daughters and live in Schenectady, New York.

Hamsho has citizenship in both France and Syria. In early 2017, she faced travel issues due to a US government order that limited travel from certain countries. She was in Qatar with her children when the order was signed. This meant she could not return to the United States until about a month later.