Dr. El-Shamy graduated from the University of Alexandria, Egypt with a Masters Degree in Oceanography, obtained a scholarship from Ford Foundation, attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison and graduated in Oceanography and Limnology.

He has worked in the environmental consulting industry working on issues related to nuclear power plants, acid mine drainage, hydroelectric projects, filling and dredging, and fisheries management. In 1991, Dr. El-Shamy joined Pasco County as the Environmental Manager and in 1999, Dr. El-Shamy was assigned to the new Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment Program.