Hassanein was cited for his "pioneering modeling and experimental work in laser and particle beams interaction with materials and optics in extreme environment for advanced lithography and fusion applications."

Hassanein's areas of research include plasma material interactions, magnetic and inertial fusion, computational physics and hydrodynamics, extreme ultraviolet lithography, laser and discharge produced plasma, radiation and particle transport in materials, and biomedical engineering applications.

This marks the fifth fellowship for Hassanein, who also is a fellow of the American Nuclear Society, the International Society of Optical Engineering, the American Association for Advancement of Science and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.