Dr. Youssef Ismail is a scholar of mechanical engineering with field specialties in astronomy, mathematics, physics, and the history of science and Maliki fiqh. 

Dr. Ismail received his BS in Engineering from California State University, Northridge, in 1990. He went on to earn both his MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University in 1991 and 1996, respectively. Dr. Ismail has an ijaza to teach al-Murshid al-Mu’in granted by Shaykh Khatry Lamannah as well as an ijaza to teach al-Akhdari, Maharim al-Lisan, Birr ul-Walidayn, and Matharat al-Qulub granted by Shaykh Salek bin Sidne. 

Prior to his post at Zaytuna College, Dr. Ismail was an engineer at Space Systems and Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. He was also a science instructor, mentor, and curriculum developer at Schmahl Science Workshop.