Reyad Shawabkeh (Ph D 98) has been found in the Mendeley Data listing of the top 2% of researchers around the world. John P. A. Ioannidis from Stanford University and co-authors provide this data through an update to the 2019 article, "A standardized citation metrics author database annotated for scientific field."

Dr. Shawabkeh performed his Ph D studies at NMSU under the direction of Dr. David Rockstraw.

 His dissertation research led to a patented method for creating an activated carbon from pecan shells.  Dr. Shawabkeh is currently chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Jordan.