Heggy obtained his Ph.D. in astronomy and planetary science in 2002 with distinguished honors from the Paris-Sorbonne University in Paris.

His main scientific interests in space and planetary geophysics cover Mars, the Moon, icy satellites and near-Earth objects.

[2] His research expertise spans from laboratory electromagnetic characterization of planetary analog materials, radar sounding of aquifers in hyper-arid environments, GPR surveys in volcanic and ice-rich environments, FDTD numerical simulations of wave propagation, and terrestrial and planetary radar data analysis.

He was raised in Tunisia, Egypt and France in a family passionate about art in a multicultural environment.

Heggy's position on the reform of the educational system in Egypt to support a real transition toward a modern, tolerant and democratic society have been subject to several public discussions after the major changes that followed the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.