Dr. Zeinab Smillie (nee Taman) joined the Institute of Petroleum Engineering in February 2017 after a period of career break due to family reasons. Prior to that she worked for seven years as a lecturer at Ain Shams University in Egypt, preceded by many years of working as assistant lecturer in the same University. Zeinab studied for her PhD in both Camborne School of Mines (University of Exeter) and Ain Shams University. She was awarded her PhD for the thesis entitled "Mineralogical and geochemical studies on Some Banded Iron Formations from the Eastern Desert of Egypt, and their industrial uses". The thesis also covered the volcano-sedimentary rocks associated with the Banded Iron Formations.

Zeinab has over 20 years’ experience as a geologist with experience in Mineralogy, Petrology, Geochemistry, GIS, Remote Sensing, and Environmental Geology.

During her academic career in Ain Shams University, she also took some roles including: Programme Coordinator (Geology-Chemistry BSc Program), Petrology Laboratory Supervisor, Quality Assurance Officer (QAAP and CIQAP Project- Quality Assurance Unit), Deputy Examinations Officer and Coordinator of European Commission - CORDIS 7th Framework Programme (FP7).