George Youssef is a professor of mechanical engineering at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States. He received his PhD in experimental solid mechanics from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He also has master's degrees from UCLA in solid and structural mechanics and from California State University, Northridge in systems controls. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of California, has received multiple educational and research awards, and has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles in well-known journals. His research interest is in mechanics of non-traditional materials, including polymers, fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites, active polymers, and composites of smart materials.