I was an undergraduate at Manchester University (1964-67) graduating with a BSc in Physics,  and stayed at Manchester University to take an MSc in 1968 and PhD in 1970 in Astronomy.

My research involved theory and observation of supernovae and supernova remnants.  A pressure scanning photoelectric Fabry-Perot spectrometer was designed and built at the university and used to investigate emission lines from Supernovae at Pic-du-Midi Observatory.

On returning to Iraq (I came to the UK on a scholarship from Iraq) I was appointed as lecturer at the Physics department  Baghdad University.  I effectively introduced astronomy teaching in Iraq.

In 1973 I was appointed as project manager for the Iraqi National Observatory, working full time for the Science Research Council.

I also founded the 20 meter Carl Ziess Planetarium in Central Baghdad, and the Iraqi Astronomical Society and the setting up of plans, later which were developed into the building of the Iraqi National Observatory at Mount Korek in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Activities included extensive media converge of Astronomy and Space Science on Iraqi and Arab media.  I also introduced research and postgraduate teaching in Astronomy at Baghdad University. I took Iraq into the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and I became the first national member in 1976. Later I returned to Baghdad University as a professor of Physics.

For the past five years I have been working as an honorary  research fellow at UCL, teaching at the University of London Observatory.

I am an active member of Commission 46 of the IAU, particularly in the Worldwide Development of Astronomy Group, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, World Space Observatory UK group, Founding member of the new Iraqi National Academy of Science. Recently I founded the Iraqi Pugwash Group (Pugwash, mostly consisting of scientists, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 for its work around the world to reduce the danger of armed conflict and seeking cooperative solutions for global problems).

My scientific interests are all related to Supernovae,  including supernova thermonuclear physics and related matters such as neutron stars and black holes, as well as observation of supernova remnants and their relation to interstellar matter.