• Ph.D. in System Dynamics and Organization behavior, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
• Master of Science (MSc) in Aeronautical Engineering and a minor in Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mechanical Engineering, KFUPM, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Raafat Zaini, Assistant Professor of System Dynamics at JMU, researches modeling of dynamic systems in organizational design, change, strategy, and cognitive learning. His recent work examines human systems, accessibility in STEM education, and integrating generative AI into modeling, teaching, and organizational studies. Previously, he was a Research Scientist at WPI, a researcher at MIT’s Sociotechnical Systems Research Center, and a consultant for the Advance Management Group, with 25 years of engineering and management experience.

Raafat’s research brings together his passion for systems thinking, technology, and learning. He explores space education, how generative AI can make learning and modeling more accessible, and how immersive environments can improve the way people learn. He studies how teams work, how organizations adapt and communicate, and how ideas are created and shared. His work also looks at innovation, sustainability, strategies for universities and research organizations, and even how to model the dynamics of the human body.

• ISAT 290 – Introduction to Systems Thinking for Complex Problems
• ISAT 441 – Survey of Modeling and Simulation Methods
• CISE 480 – Special Topics in CISE (X-Labs course: The Future of eSports at JMU )
• ISAT 390 / ISAT 391 – Designing the University of the Future (Co-taught with Dr. Emily York)
• ISAT 160 – Problem Solving Approaches in Science and Technology
• ISAT 480 – Using Generative AI to Extract Mental Models from Written Documents
• UNST 300 – AI for Global Impact (Upcoming X-Labs course)

• Zombron, A., Zaini, R. (2025, August 5). Improving Accessibility of 'The System Dynamics Learning Guide' Using the 'Systems Thinking for the Visually Impaired' Custom GPT. 2025 International System Dynamics Conference, Boston, USA, and Virtual.
• Langsam, M., & Zaini, R. (2025, August 5). Inception of Thought: AI Extracting Mental Models from SDS Presidents. 2025 International System Dynamics Conference, Boston, USA, and Virtual.
• Zaini, R. M. (2025), From Inspiration to Action: Harnessing Daily Insights, Shared Wisdom, and Proactive Living. Madison Leads Conference 2025, JMU, Harrisonburg. April 2025.
• Tichenor, K. R., & Zaini, R. M. (2025, February 21). Presidential turnover: How to plan for the inevitable. University Business. https://universitybusiness.com/presidential-turnover-how-to-plan-for-the-inevitable/
• Zombron, A., Zaini, R., & Alnajashi, A. (2024). Beyond Visual Limits: Systems Thinking for the Visually Impaired Using Generative AI. International Journal on Responsibility, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.62365/2576-0955.1123
• Clancy, T., & Zaini, R. (2024, July 16), Bridging the Divide: Reconciling Quantitative System Dynamics and Qualitative Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) on Shared Defining Characteristics and a Common Order. 2024International System Dynamics Conference, Bergen, Norway and Virtual.
• Clancy, T., & Zaini, R. (2024, July 16), Ethical Delimas in Modeling and Simulation Roundtable. 2024 INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM DYNAMICS CONFERENCE, Bergen, Norway and Virtual.
• Clancy, T., & Zaini, R. (2024, July 16). Questioning Forrester’s Ethics: Historical Case Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas in Modeling & Simulation. 2024 International System Dynamics Conference, Bergen, Norway and Virtual. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382273596_Questioning_Forrester's_Ethics_Historical_Case_Analysis_of_Ethical_Dilemmas_in_Modeling_Simulation
• Zombron, A., Alnajashi, A., & Zaini, R. (2024, September 4). Using AI to Improve Systems Thinking Accessibility for The Visually Impaired. AI and Accessibility session at the arXiv Accessibility Forum 2024, Virtual. https://accessibility2024.arxiv.org/forum-session-AI.html
• Langsam, M., & Zaini, R. (2024, July 31). What Was In Jay’s Mind? Extracting Mental Models Through Generative Artificial Intelligence. Student Organized Colloquium at the 2024 International System Dynamics Conference, Bergen, Norway and Virtual. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.10282.02245
• Zombron, A., & Zaini, R. (2024). Beyond Visual Limits: AI-Driven Inclusivity in STEM Education for the Visually Impaired. 2024 DEI Conference at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. March 2024.
• Tang, C., Zaini, R., & Langarudi, S. P. (2024). Uncovering the unknown with REMODEAL: A systematic method for reference mode elicitation. System Dynamics Review, sdr.1766. https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1766
• Zaini, R., & Mitri, M. (2023). Dear Society Members: Charting the Evolution of the System Dynamics Society Using Presidential Addresses (WIP). THE 41st International System Dynamics Conference, Chicago, USA and Virtually. https://systemdynamics.org/threads/
• Clancy, T., Langarudi, S. P., & Zaini, R. (2023). Never the strongest: Reconciling the four schools of thought in system dynamics in the debate on quality. System Dynamics Review, 39(3), 277–294. https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1740
• Zaini R., Cooper K. (2021), “Simulating the Immune System Response to Covid 19: Why cytokine storms develop, and how to prevent this fatal condition.” Poster presentation at the 39th virtual international system dynamics conference, July 2021.
• Kooken, J.W., Zaini, R. & Arroyo, I. Simulating the dynamics of self-regulation, emotion, grit, and student performance in cyber-learning environments. Metacognition Learning 16, 367–405 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11409-020-09252-6
• Zaini, R. M., & Langarudi, S. P. (2020). To Share or Not to Share: Effect of Peer-to-Peer Mentoring on Dynamics of Graduate Life. In T. Carmichael & Z. Yang (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2018 Conference of the Computational Social Science Society of the Americas (pp. 39–54). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35902-7_3
• Zaini, R. M., Martel, D, Allen, P, Kolluri, (2019), Connect & Create: a Model for University Libraries from Public Libraries Nurturing Entrepreneurship in Local Communities, 8^th Deshpande Symposium on Entrepreneurship, UMASS Lowell.
• Zaini, R. M., Elmes, M. B., Pavlov, O. V., & Saeed, K. (2019). Organizational Dissent Dynamics in Universities: Simulations With a System Dynamics Model: Management Communication Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318919846625
• Zaini, R. M., Elmes, M. B., Pavlov, O. V., & Saeed, K. (2016). Organizational Dissent Dynamics: A Conceptual Framework. Management Communication Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318916671216
• Zaini, R. M., Pavlov, O. V., Saeed, K., Radzicki, M. J., Hoffman, A. H., & Tichenor, K. R. (2016). Let's Talk Change in a University: A Simple Model for Addressing a Complex Agenda. Systems Research and Behavioral Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2408
• Zaini, R., Lyan, D. E., & Rebentisch, E. (2015). Start-up Research Universities, High Aspirations in a Complex Reality: a Russian startup university case analysis using stakeholder value analysis and system dynamics modeling. Triple Helix, 2(1), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40604-014-0016-8