Dr. Sharif received a bachelor degree in Physics in 1995 from Bethlehem University then attended the University of Arkansas and received his masters and PhD degrees in Microelectronics Photonics which is a multi-disciplinary program housed between Physics and Engineering. After graduating in 2005 he started a teaching position at Northwest Arkansas Community College as an assistant professor of physics and engineering. He now holds a rank of full professor and continues to serve and educate.