Fariborz Maseeh

Farlborz Maseeh (Persian: فریبرز مسیح : Farīborz Masīh, born 1959) is an Iranian-American engineer primarily focused on micro-electro mechanical systems. He founded IntelliSense in 1991 and sold it in 2000.^[1] He also founded the Kids Institute for Development and Advancement (KIDA), a treatment clinic and educational facility for children with autism in Irvine; Orbitron LP, a global macro long-short hedge fund; and The Massiah Foundation, a charitable organization where he serves as president.^{[citation needed]}

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Quick Facts Born, Nationality ...

Fariborz Maseeh (Persian: فریبرز مسیح)
Born	Tehran, Iran
Nationality	Iranian-American
Education	MIT Portland State University University of Texas at Austin
Occupation(s)	Businessman, philanthropist

Early life and education

Fariborz Maseeh was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to Portland, Oregon as a teenager. He graduated from Portland State University (PSU) with a Bachelor of Science in engineering and a minor in structural engineering. He then graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a master's degree, where he conducted research in the Department of Aeronautics.^[2] Maseeh then returned to PSU and earned another master's degree in applied mathematics.^[3] He taught engineering courses at Clackamas Community College before moving to Boston to pursue a doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.^{[citation needed]}

Technology entrepreneur

IntelliSense was focused on the custom design, development, and manufacturing of MEMS devices. It was included twice in the New England Technology "Fast 50"^[4] and Forbes' "Fast 500" lists.^[5] Maseeh sold IntelliSense in 2000 and subsequently joined the Corning management team, but resigned after a year.

Community Service

Maseeh has served on numerous boards, including those of the MIT Corporation and Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows. In April 2021, he was elected to the Caltech Board of Trustees.^[6] He also serves on engineering advisory boards at the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Portland State University.

Philanthropy

Maseeh is involved in philanthropy, primarily through the Massiah Foundation. The foundation utilizes the concept of venture philanthropy, focusing on investing in entities with the potential for lasting social impact.

Fariborz Maseeh Hall at Portland State University

Maseeh Hall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Maseeh Hall (2010): The Massiah Foundation donated $24 million to support expansion of the undergraduate student body.
Maseeh Chair in Emerging Technologies (2003): A chair position initially held by the Provost and currently by Vladimir Bulovic.
Excellence in Teaching Awards (2002: Department of Civil Engineering)
Terra-scope Program: A program allowing freshmen to couple research with visits to locations relevant to climate management issues.
MITSEED Academy: The Saturday Engineering & Enrichment Discovery Academy, an academic enrichment and career exploration program for high school students.

Portland State University

Fariborz Maseeh Hall (2019): Key funder of the $60 million renovations and renaming of the building which houses the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics + Statistics, and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU.
Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science (2004): The Massiah Foundation awarded a significant gift to support building the Northwest Center for Engineering, leading to the college being named the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. This was reported as the largest gift in PSU's history at the time. The gift also endows professorships and graduate scholarships. It was noted as the first school to be named after an Iranian American.
Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics (2009): A philanthropic investment was made to support computational science research and education in large computing and applied fields of Mathematics and Statistics. It was noted as the first Mathematics Department to be named.
Maseeh Colloquium and Lecture in Mathematics and Statistics
Maseeh Fellows: Provides graduate student scholarships in engineering.
Kamelia Massih Outstanding Student and Faculty in the Arts Prize
Kamelia Massih student Lounge, Donna J. Koch Student Lounge, Dryden Drop Tower, Chik Erzurumlu Scholarships

University of California, Irvine

Ferdowsi Presidential Chair in Zoroastrian Studies (2019): Established as the first presidential chair in Zoroastrian Studies in the United States.
Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies: Established as the first independent campus center in the United States for Persian Studies and Culture.
Endowed chairs:
- Maseeh Chair in Persian Studies and Culture (School of Humanities)
- Maseeh Professor in Persian Performing Arts (Clair Trevor School of the Arts)
- Howard Baskerville Professor of Persian History (School of Humanities)
Alborz Auditorium: A challenge grant was created to name the auditorium at the Department of Humanities at UCI (named after Alborz High School in Tehran, Iran).
Rollestone Hall (2009): Funding was provided for its creation and naming after A. A. Rollestone, a benefactor to Alborz High.
McCormack Theater (2009): Funding was provided for its creation and naming after Nettie Fowler McCormick, a benefactor to Alborz High.
Henry Samueli School of Engineering (2003): The Maseeh Best Research and Best Teaching Awards were created.
Various Student Scholarships in Medicine, Athletics; also supports through UCI Medal Ceremony.

University of Southern California

USC Maseeh Entrepreneurship Prize Competition ^[7]

The University of Texas at Austin

Fariborz Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering^[8]

Harvard Medical School

Fariborz Maseeh Award for Innovative Medical Education (2021)

Life and career