

- Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, 2018
- M.Sc., Construction Engineering, American University in Cairo, Egypt, 2015
- B.S., Construction Engineering, American University in Cairo, Egypt, 2011
- Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Nevada, Reno (2019 – 2021)
- Course instructor, ENG35 - Engineering Statics, University of California, Davis (2016)
- Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Younger Member Award 2022
- Professional Development Postdoctoral Award, University of Nevada, Reno 2019
- Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) Early-Career Summer Institute Grant, National Science Foundation, 2019
- O.H. Ammann Research Award in Structural Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2016
- Laboratory Instruction Graduate Fellowship, American University in Cairo, 2011-2014
- Leadership for Education and Development (LEAD) Undergraduate Scholarship, American University in Cairo, U.S. Agency for International Development and the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation, 2005-2011
- Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) young professional member, Student Awards Committee member
- American Society of Civil Engineers associate member, secretary of the Technical Committee on Performance-Based Design for Structures, Structural Engineering Institute
- Member of the Seismological Society of America
- Arabic
Dr. Kenawy specializes in nonlinear analysis of structures subjected to extreme loads, seismic hazard and risk assessment, performance-based earthquake engineering, and development of computational workflows for regional-scale engineering analysis. She has created advanced numerical modeling techniques for simulating the damage mechanisms controlling the deterioration and collapse of reinforced concrete structures.
Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Kenawy worked as postdoctoral scholar at the University of Nevada, Reno where she led research efforts on using physics-based earthquake fault rupture simulations and high-performance computing workflows to conduct regional-scale assessments of the impacts of earthquakes on reinforced concrete buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has developed new frameworks for using simulated earthquake ground motions in performance-based seismic design and the analysis of civil structures located near active faults. She also has experience with experimental testing of reinforced concrete structures, and has developed and assessed the performance of modular precast concrete shell structural systems.
Dr. Kenawy has consulted on projects related to assessing the vulnerability of electric transmission networks to wind and earthquake hazard, assessing the causes of ignition events in electric distribution networks for major utility companies, and investigating construction defects in concrete.
Dr. Kenawy's ongoing research involves predicting the impacts of earthquake fault rupture and site conditions on structures located near the Hayward fault. She co-advises graduate students at the University of Nevada, Reno in the area of numerical modeling of ultra high-performance concrete. She has taught and assisted teaching courses at the University of California, Davis and the American University in Cairo, Egypt, including engineering mechanics, structural analysis, design of reinforced concrete structures, and structural dynamics. She also prepared and delivered guest lectures for nonlinear structural analysis courses at the University of Nevada, Reno. She served in many leadership roles within the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, including as a co-chair of the Younger Members Committee, and organized conference sessions on structural engineering research and practice. She currently also serves as a member and secretary of the ASCE/SEI Technical Committee on Performance-Based Design for Structures.