Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shuangmei Zou | Reservoir Fluid Flow | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at China University of Geosciences, China

Dr. Shuangmei Zou is an Associate Professor at the School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences. With over a decade of academic and professional experience, she specializes in porous media characterization and subsurface flow processes critical to energy transition technologies. Her research bridges experimental and computational techniques to explore fluid dynamics in geological formations. Dr. Zou is a respected scholar with numerous publications in leading journals and editorial responsibilities. She actively contributes to global scientific communities through professional memberships and international collaborations. Her interdisciplinary expertise and commitment to applied geoscience have made significant contributions to energy resource optimization.

👤 Profile

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🏫 Education

Dr. Zou completed her Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, in 2018. Her doctoral research, under the supervision of Professors Ryan T. Armstrong, Christoph Arns, and Furqan Hussain, focused on multiphase flow and pore-scale phenomena in porous media. She previously earned a Master’s degree in Oil and Gas Field Engineering (2012) and a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering (2009), both from China University of Geosciences. Her academic foundation combines rigorous engineering and geoscience training, equipping her with a solid theoretical background and practical problem-solving skills relevant to energy systems and reservoir engineering.

💼 Experience

Dr. Zou currently serves as an Associate Professor at the China University of Geosciences, a role she has held since March 2022. She began her academic career at the same institution as a Lecturer in 2019. Before transitioning to academia, she worked as an Assistant Reservoir Engineer for the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), where she applied reservoir simulation and engineering techniques in field development. Her career trajectory reflects a blend of industry knowledge and academic rigor, enabling her to mentor students and lead research on subsurface fluid transport, underground energy storage, and pore-scale material modeling.

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Zou’s research spans digital materials characterization, porous media imaging, and modeling of multiphase flow. She investigates the physical principles governing fluid displacement in geological systems using advanced X-ray micro-computed tomography and pore-scale imaging. Her work supports innovations in underground energy storage, enhanced oil recovery, and carbon capture technologies. She has pioneered methods for analyzing wettability effects and interfacial dynamics in mixed-wet and water-wet conditions. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates petroleum engineering, geophysics, and computational modeling, contributing to the scientific understanding and practical advancement of future energy technologies under complex subsurface conditions.

🏅 Award

Dr. Zou’s academic excellence has been recognized with several prestigious awards. She received a Ph.D. Research Stipend and Full Tuition Fee Scholarship from UNSW between 2013 and 2017. In 2016, she was awarded the Postgraduate Research Student Support (PRSS) Conference Travel Grant by the UNSW Graduate Research School, which supported her participation in international conferences. Earlier in her academic journey, she earned the National Endeavor Scholarship from China University of Geosciences in 2008. These honors reflect her sustained academic performance and recognition by both domestic and international institutions for her potential and contributions to research.

📚 Publication

Dr. Zou has authored numerous influential publications, including the following selected works:

1. Kang N, Zou S, et al. (2025). “Insights into Interfacial Dynamic and Displacement Patterns…” Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth (Accepted).

2. Cai J, Qin X, Wang H, Xia Y, Zou S. (2024). “Pore-scale investigation of forced imbibition…” Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Cited by 6.

3. Zou S, Zhang Y, Ma L. (2024). “Imaging techniques for optimizing underground energy storage.” Advances in Geo-Energy Research, Cited by 10.

4. Zou S, et al. (2024). “Energy signature in multiphase flow regimes.” Water Resources Research, 60(3), Cited by 14.

5. Zou S, et al. (2022). “Characterization of Two-Phase Flow…” Energies, 15(6):2036, Cited by 18.

6. Zou S, Liu Y, Cai J, et al. (2020). “Influence of capillarity on relative permeability.” Water Resources Research, 56(11), Cited by 21.

7. Zou S, Sun C. (2020). “X-ray imaging of wettability in porous media: A review.” Capillarity, 3(3), Cited by 25.

These publications reflect her contributions to the fields of geophysics, fluid mechanics, and porous media research.

🧾 Conclusion

Dr. Shuangmei Zou is a distinguished researcher whose work has significantly advanced the understanding of multiphase flow in porous media. Her publications and leadership roles in editorial boards demonstrate her influence in the scientific community. She bridges the gap between theoretical modeling and practical application, enabling technological advancements in underground energy storage and enhanced oil recovery. Her research has both academic value and real-world impact, addressing critical challenges in the energy sector. Through innovative experimentation, high-impact scholarship, and international collaboration, Dr. Zou exemplifies the qualities of a leading scientist deserving of recognition and further opportunities for advancement.