Assistant Professor at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran
Dr. Reza Zabihi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran, where he has been actively involved in both teaching and research since 2020. He also holds the role of Dean of the Department of Petroleum Engineering since 2024. In addition to his administrative duties, Dr. Zabihi serves as the advisor to the Student Scientific Associations and the Dean of Petroleum Laboratories at the university. His academic and research endeavors focus on the exploration of innovative methods in petroleum engineering, particularly Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology, among others. He is recognized for his multidisciplinary approach, which integrates chemical engineering principles with petroleum engineering to solve complex industry problems.
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Education
Dr. Zabihi completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (Petroleum) from Shiraz University in 2018, where he received an outstanding average grade of 17.22/20. His doctoral research was dedicated to advancing microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) techniques, specifically through the use of solvent, acid, and gas-producing bacteria. Prior to his Ph.D., he earned his M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering from Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman with a focus on Drilling and Production, where he graduated with a high distinction (18.90/20). His academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering (Extraction), also from Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, where he was awarded a top grade of 16.33/20. His thesis work consistently demonstrated his ability to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications, making significant contributions to the fields of petroleum and chemical engineering.
Experience
Dr. Zabihi’s professional experience spans both teaching and research roles. He has been a full-time faculty member at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman since 2020, where he teaches a wide range of courses such as Advanced Petroleum Production Engineering, Well Testing, and Enhanced Oil Recovery at both the BSc and MSc levels. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Zabihi has served in several key administrative roles, including Dean of Petroleum Laboratories and Advisor of Student Scientific Associations. His research experience includes a period as a Research Assistant at Shiraz University, where he contributed to various projects on environmental sustainability in the petroleum and petrochemical sectors.
Dr. Zabihi’s industry experience includes working as a researcher in projects like “Light Naphtha Isomerization” with the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC), as well as consulting roles in petroleum drilling, production, and chemical process optimization. He has developed a strong reputation for his ability to leverage both fundamental and applied science to solve real-world problems in the petroleum sector.
Research Interests
Dr. Zabihi’s research interests cover a wide array of topics in petroleum engineering and chemical engineering. His primary focus lies in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods, especially those that incorporate biotechnology, such as microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) using novel bioproducts. He is also deeply involved in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in petroleum engineering for predictive modeling and optimization of production processes. His work extends to nanotechnology, specifically its applications in drilling fluids and reservoir management, as well as the development of sustainable methods for environmental pollution control and wastewater treatment. These interests are reflected in his extensive work on asphaltene deposition, formation damage, and the application of bio-based solutions for oil extraction.
Awards
Dr. Zabihi has been recognized for his academic excellence and contributions to the petroleum engineering field. Notably, he received the First Rank in Petroleum Engineering (Drilling & Production) at Shahid Bahonar University in 2010 and the Second Rank in Mining Engineering (Extraction) in 2008. These achievements highlight his consistent academic and research excellence. He continues to contribute to the advancement of petroleum engineering knowledge and practice, particularly through his teaching and research efforts aimed at solving complex problems in the energy sector.
Publications
Dr. Zabihi has contributed to a number of high-impact journals and conferences. Some of his notable publications include:
Aghamohammadi, N., Schaffie, M., Ranjbar, M., & Zabihi, R. (2025). “Investigating the impact of Bacillus subtilis bioproducts on static adsorption of asphaltene on dolomite and calcite.” Fuel, 397, 135240.
Hosseini, S.M.M., Farazmand, R., Rashidi, M., Mohammadi, M.R., & Zabihi, R. (2025). “Experimental Study and Intelligent Modeling to Evaluate the Impact of Particle-Size Distribution on the Rheological Properties of Class G Oilwell Cement.” SPE Journal, 1-17.
Dabiri, M.S., Haji-Hashemi, R., Ashoorian, S., Schaffie, M., & Zabihi, R. (2025). “Modeling drilling fluid density at high-pressure high-temperature conditions using advanced machine-learning techniques.” Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 244, 213369.
Riazi, M., Hemmati-Sarapardeh, A., Schaffie, M., Zabihi, R., & Riazi, M. (2025). “A comparative analysis of alpha olefin sulfonate and dodecyl sulfate in aphronic fluid containing xanthan gum in a wide range of temperatures.” Scientific Reports, 15(1), 2507.
Norollahi, S., Jalalifar, H., & Zabihi, R. (2024). “The effect of drilling parameters on the rate of penetration in deviated core drilling.” Journal of Petroleum Geomechanics, 7(1), 81-88.
Tabbakhzadeh, M.N., Esmaeilzadeh, F., Mowla, D., & Zabihi, R. (2024). “Effects of reservoir fluids on sand packs consolidated by furan and epoxy resins: Static and dynamic states.” Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 16(11), 4504-4514.
Soleimani, Y., Mohammadi, M.R., Schaffie, M., Zabihi, R., & Ranjbar, M. (2023). “An experimental study of the effects of bacteria on asphaltene adsorption and wettability alteration of dolomite and quartz.” Scientific Reports, 13(1), 21497.
Conclusion
Dr. Reza Zabihi is a highly accomplished academic and researcher whose work bridges the fields of petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, and biotechnology. His dedication to advancing sustainable and efficient practices in the petroleum industry, combined with his expertise in artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, has positioned him as a leader in his field. Through his role at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and his extensive publication record, Dr. Zabihi continues to influence the next generation of engineers while contributing to the global efforts in improving oil recovery processes and reducing environmental impacts associated with petroleum production. His contributions have earned him recognition within the academic community, and his ongoing research promises to drive innovation and practical solutions in petroleum engineering for years to come.