Dr. RBasheer (Professor)

Dr. RBasheer is a professor at the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology and at the Chemical Engineering Department. He obtained his PhD in physical chemistry from Baylor University, in Waco, Texas in 1981. After a short stint at the Radiation Laboratories of the University of Notre dame, he joined the General Motors Research Laboratories and later Delphi Research Laboratories where he conducted research on polymers and nanocomposites. He has taught at Oakland University and at the University of Detroit in the United States. His current interest is in the fields of polymer science and engineering and in nanocomposites.

rbasheer@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/rbasheer

Dr. Belabbes Merzougui (Assist. Professor)

Dr. Belabbes is an Assistant Professor at CENT since January, 2010. He received his PhD in Electrochemistry form University of Science & Economy, Marseille, France in 1996. He conducted his Post-Doc Research at the University of Windsor, Canada, in the period of 1997 and 1999. He served as Fuel Cell Research Scientist at General Motors, R&D Center , USA, from 1999 to 2006. Also, he worked as a Research Staff at the United Technologies Corporation ( UTC) in Connecticut, USA from 2006 to 2010. Dr. Belabbes has 24 international patents and 18 publications related to fuel cells and batteries . Dr Belabbes’s research area focuses on development and characterization of novel nano-structured active materials (catalysts) for clean fuels and energy conversion systems. Different approaches, such as thermal, chemical, and electrochemical methods are used to achieve highly dispersed  and well-structured catalysts, supported on carbonaceous and no-carbonaceous materials. These materials have versatile applications,  in particular, they will be used as catalysts for sulfur removal from fuels and gas. Also,  they can be used in other applications, such as those related fuel cells and carbon management (CO2 conversion into fuels).

belabbes@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/belabbes

Dr. Oki Muraza (Assist. Professor)

Dr. Oki is an Assistant Professor at CENT and Chemical Engineering. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering at TU Eindhoven on NanoCatalytic Films for MicroReactors. He obtained his MSc in Chemical Engineering from TU Delft with MSc research on Zeolite Membranes. He worked as a Research Associate at The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi in research collaboration with University of Minnesota, USA on nanoporous materials for catalysis. He worked in offshore oil and gas operation with Repsol YPF, Asia Pacific as Chemical & Production Supervisor From 2001 until 2002. He has an internship at the Shell Amsterdam and at Dow Chemical. He received NIOK (Dutch Institute for Catalyst Research) Award as one of the highest scores in a NIOK certification in December 2004. He was awarded with Huygens Scholarship, NUSFP and The Dow Chemical Scholarship. His research interest is mainly in structured catalysts and structured reactors such nanostructured catalytic thin films and their catalytic applications in intensified chemical processes.

omuraza@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CHE/omuraza

Dr. Mohammad Qamar (Research Scientist III) (OC)

Dr. M. Qamar received his PhD in chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh India in 2005. He worked as post-doctoral fellow in Institute/Faculty of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Engineering, Sejong University, South Korea and as a project scientist in the department of chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India. He was awarded ‘Young Scientist’ by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India in 2007. He joined the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT) in 2008 as post-doctoral fellow and currently working as Research Scientist. He authored more than 25 publications in peer-reviewed international journals and holds 2 Korean patents in addition to several conference proceedings/presentations. His current research interests include synthesis of advanced & functional nanostructured materials and their nanocomposites including nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanofibers etc. for photocatalytic removal of persistent organic pollutants from water system and for different catalytic reactions involved in the petroleum and petrochemicals.

qamar@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/qamar

Dr. Ahsan ul Haq Quraishi (Assist. Professor)

Dr. Ahsanulhaq Qurashi completed his B. S. in year 2000 and  BS in Teaching of Science in year 2001 from Kashmir University, Srinagar Kashmir.   He did his M.S.  in organic chemistry from Pune University India in year 2004.He joined for PhD in Chonbuk National University South Korea in  year 2004 in Nanochemistry. He completed his PhD in February 2008 in Selective Pattern Growth of ZnO Nanostructures And Device Applications.In March 2008 he joined as postdoctoral Fellow in Toyama University Japan to develop metal oxide nanostructures for chemical Sensors and completed his project on March 2010. In March 2010 he joined as assistant professor CENT\Chemistry KFUPM. His research interests are: fabrication and patterning of Zero and one- and two dimensional organic and inorganic nanomaterials. Functionalization of nanostructures for chemical and biosensors applications. Nanomaterials applications in energy storage, production and conversion devices. 

ahsanulhaq@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/ahsanulhaq

Dr. Nasiruzzaman Shaikh M. (Research Scientist III) (Asst. Lab Manager)

Dr. M N Shaikh completed his B. Sc. in year 2001 from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh India. He did his M.Sc. in organic chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University India in year 2003. He joined for PhD in Kyungpook  National University, South Korea in year 2004 in inorganic chemistry. He completed his PhD in February 2009, in the development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-ray Computed Tomography (X-ray CT) contrast agents. In March 2009,  he joined as postdoctoral fellow in Kyungpook National University, South Korea, to develop super-high relaxivity (T1 and T2) surface functionalized  paramagnetic gold nanoparticles. In February 2010, he joined as postdoctoral fellow in Chemistry department KFUPM to develop gold complexes and their in-vitro and in-vivo application as anti-cancer agents. His research interests are: design and synthesis of organic and inorganic nanomaterials, surface functionalization of various nanoparticles and their application as contrast agents and   applications of nonmaterials in catalysis.

mnshaikh@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/mnshaikh

Dr. Abbas Hakeem (Research Scientist III)

Dr. Hakeem has completed his PhD. in Materials Chemistry (in the field of SiAIONs hard materials) from Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, Sweden (2007). He also spent several years at Leeds University, U.K. during his Masters degree by research and research in the area of phase transformation in steels. He also has over three years teaching experience as an Assistant Professor at GIK Institute, Pakistan and several years’ industrial experience. His area of research at the CENT is synthesis of nanostructured WC-based hard metals, composites materials, light metals/composites and characterization of synthesized and sintered materials. In addition, he has strong hands-on technical skills with the synthesis of inorganic materials and has supervised many projects.

ashakeem@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/ashakeem

Dr. Nedal Abu-Thabit (Post Doctoral Fellow)

Dr. Nedal received his PhD in polymer chemistry from KFUPM in 2010. His research interest is related to ionic polymers with potential applications for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and Polyelectrolyte membranes fuel cells (PEMFCs). Polymers designed for EOR applications are water soluble and usually synthesized by free radical polymerization; The PEMFCs polymers are water-insoluble and are usually prepared by step growth polymerization. In both areas, my research focused on finding new chemical approaches to prepare phosphonic acid-based ionic polymers which are new area of research   for both PEMFCs and EOR applications. The major work was carried out is modification of polysulfone backbone with controlled high degree of phosphonation. Another area of interest is preparation of polymeric blends. This approach is very powerful since the resultant blend can have enhance desired characteristics and features. Specific interest is the preparation of ionically and covalently polyelectrolytes as PEMs for fuel cells applications.

nabuthabit@kfupm.edu.sa

http://staff.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/nabuthabit

Dr. Abdou El ILah Hachimi (Post Doctoral Fellow)

Dr. Abdouelilah HACHIMI obtained his PhD (2007) in Catalysis and Physical Chemistry of Interfaces in the Institute of Catalysis and Environment of Lyon (IRCELyon) at the Claude Bernard University of Lyon in France (UCBL). He worked (2007) as a Research Associate at IRCELyon, France, on industrial projects between IRCELyon, Saint Gobain and FAURECIA in the field of automotive exhaust gas cleaning. He worked (2008-2009) as Research Associate on the project named "UNIQUE" 7th FP under the collaboration of European Engineering school of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials Science (ECPM) and PALL Company (Germany). The work was based on the development of materials for purification of gases and the biomass steam gasification. His research interest is mainly in Nanomaterial Synthesis & Application in exhaust and green house gases treatment.

ahachimi@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/ahachimi

Dr. Safyan Akram Khan (Research Scientist II)

Dr. Safyan Khan graduated with a B.Sc. in 1992 and received his M.Sc. in 1995 from the University of Punjab, Pakistan. Dr. Khan completed his M.Phil. degree in 2000 working on "catalytic cracking and fractionation of crude oil" at the University of Salford UK. He then moved to Bristol to undertake a PhD at the Bristol Colloid Centre sponsored by National power, UK. His PhD research explored speciation in aqueous polysulfide solutions. After finishing his PhD in June 2004, Dr. Khan joined University of Bristol, UK as a postdoctorate fellow. Later, Dr. Khan has offered permanent position and served for six years in University of Bristol UK as a Senior Scientist. During his work at Bristol He has undertaken high profile research project from multination organization including Merck Chemicals, Baker Hughes, Infineum, National Power, SKF, BP petroleum and ISIS Rutherford Appleton Laboratory etc. His research focuses on key aspects of new technology across market sectors including oil exploration, lubricant’s engineering, pharmaceutical, electrophoretic displays, energy storage, coating industries, polymer composites applications and other novel uses of nano materials. He has great deal of experience in the synthesis of Nano particles and Colloidal materials. Dr Khan recently joined the Center of Research Excellence in Nanotechnology at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

 safyan@kfupm.edu.sa

Mr. Ayman Akram H. Ghannam (OC) (Lecturer in Physics Department)

Mr. Ghannam received his Master degree in Physics from Jordan University, Amman-Jordan in 1997. He worked as Lecturer in Physics Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals since 1999. He joined CENT as coordinator in Outreach Committee in 2010. His current research interests are in the field of Superconductivity and Electric properties of Polymers.

ghannama@kfupm.edu.sa

http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/phys/ghannama/

Mr. Muhammad Jamal Khan  (Engineer II) (OC)

Mr. Khan received his Master degree in Chemical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KSA in 2010. He had his undergraduate degree at University of Karachi, Pakistan in 2006. He worked as QA officer in Pakistan leading Oil marketing company named PSO for two and half years. Mr. Khan joined the CENT in 2010 as an Engineer II and his main research interests are synthesis, characterization and applications.

mjamal@kfupm.edu.sa

http://staff.kfupm.edu.sa/che/mjamal

Mr. Mouheddin Alhaffar (Scientist II)

Mouheddin Alhaffar is a scientist II in the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology. A graduate of Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Damascus, he received his MS degree at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in January 2010.

mouhedin@kfupm.edu.sa

http://staff.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/mouhedin

Mr. Qasem Ahmed Qasem Drmosh (Scientist II)

Mr. Qasem is a scientist II at Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT), King Fahd University of petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He received his master degree from Physics department KFUPM in June 2009 with his thesis entitled “Synthesis and characterization of metal oxides and peroxides prepared by pulsed laser ablation in liquids” . He obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree with honors in physics from Ibb University, Yemen in June 2001. Prior to attending KFUPM, he worked as a lecturer (tenured) from 2002 to 2005 in Ibb University (Physics department ).

drmosh@kfupm.edu.sa

http://staff.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/drmosh

Mr. Adedigba Abdullateef (Enginner II)

Mr. Abdullateef is an M.S graduate of chemical from the King Fahd University of Petroleum & minerals. He had his undergraduate degree at the prestigious University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos Nigeria. Mr. Adedigba joined CENT in 2010 and his main area of research is in the area of synthesis and characterization of polymer nanocomposite.

adedigba@kfupm.edu.sa

http://staff.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/adedigba

Mr. Ali S. Al-Thagafi (Admin Asst.)

Mr. Ali joined the CENT as an Administrative Assistant in March 2009.

asthagafi@kfupm.edu.sa

http://staff.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/asthagafi

Mr. Syed Mohammad Adil (Secretary)

Mr. S.M. Adil obtained his Diploma in Secretarial Services from Sind Board of Technical Education (SBTE) Karachi Pakistan. He served State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) formerly American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) as a Secretary.  Mr. Adil served for Saudi Aramco on various secretarial positions.  He served KFUPM Academic Departments as Secretary.  Currently he is serving CENT Directorate and working as a Secretary for CENT Director, Dr. Zain H. Yamani.

adilsm@kfupm.edu.sa

http://staff.kfupm.edu.sa/CENT/adilsm