Mohammadali Ahmadi | Enhanced Oil Recovery | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Prof. Mohammadali Ahmadi | Enhanced Oil Recovery | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at University of Technology (SUT), Iran

Dr. Mohammadali Ahmadi is a highly accomplished researcher and academic currently affiliated with the University of Calgary and the Petroleum University of Technology. With a research career spanning over a decade, Dr. Ahmadi has made significant contributions to the fields of petroleum engineering, energy systems, and molecular simulation. His innovative work focuses on improving recovery processes in heavy oil reservoirs, enhancing surfactant applications, and applying molecular dynamics and machine learning to address complex challenges in oil and gas systems. With over 185 publications and more than 8,400 citations, his research has not only advanced scientific understanding but also shaped practical applications in energy engineering and sustainable resource development.

Profile

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Education

Dr. Ahmadi’s academic foundation is rooted in petroleum engineering, where he earned his advanced degrees specializing in enhanced oil recovery and chemical engineering techniques. His rigorous academic training laid the groundwork for a prolific research trajectory, allowing him to merge fundamental scientific inquiry with industrially relevant challenges. Throughout his education, he cultivated expertise in computational modeling, reservoir simulation, and surfactant-fluid interactions, preparing him for an influential career in both academia and the energy sector.

Experience

Over the years, Dr. Ahmadi has held research and teaching roles that bridge academia and industry. His dual affiliation with the University of Calgary and the Petroleum University of Technology highlights his global influence and collaborative research ethos. He has independently led numerous projects that focus on oil recovery, nanoconfinement effects, interfacial science, and chemical processes in porous media. His hands-on experience spans experimental design, simulation modeling, and the application of artificial intelligence in reservoir characterization. Beyond research, Dr. Ahmadi has mentored graduate students, developed university curricula, and contributed as a reviewer for top-tier scientific journals.

Research Interest

Dr. Ahmadi’s research interests revolve around enhanced oil recovery (EOR), nanoconfinement phenomena, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and the environmental optimization of hydrocarbon production. He is particularly focused on the role of surfactants in emulsification-demulsification processes and their molecular behavior in subsurface environments. Other core interests include CO₂ sequestration, steam-surfactant co-injection, and machine learning applications in petroleum systems. His interdisciplinary approach—blending chemical engineering, geomechanics, and data science—enables him to address both theoretical and practical problems in energy sustainability.

Awards

Dr. Ahmadi has received several accolades in recognition of his groundbreaking research and scholarly contributions. His high citation count, an H-index of 60, and frequent collaboration with leading scientists highlight his standing in the scientific community. While specific award names are not detailed in the public record, his sustained publication in high-impact journals and the adoption of his findings in patent literature underscore his influence and merit for prestigious academic honors.

Publications

Among his extensive portfolio of over 180 works, several stand out for their impact and citation frequency.

His 2022 article, “Molecular dynamics simulation of oil detachment from hydrophobic quartz surfaces during steam-surfactant Co-injection” in Energy (cited 32 times), provides insights into recovery processes at the nanoscale. Another highly cited work, “Comprehensive review of the interfacial behavior of water/oil/surfactant systems using dissipative particle dynamics simulation,” published in Advances in Colloid and Interface Science (2022), has received 37 citations.

His 2021 paper in Fuel on surfactant-asphaltene interactions has been cited 72 times, reflecting its foundational contribution. The 2020 study in Energy & Fuels titled “Insight into the Interfacial Behavior of Surfactants and Asphaltenes” has been cited 58 times.

His 2021 article in Petroleum comparing permeability estimation methods has attracted 139 citations, showcasing his impact on reservoir engineering. “Challenges and future of chemical assisted heavy oil recovery processes,” published in 2020 in Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, is another well-cited piece with 104 references.

Lastly, his 2020 Symmetry publication on surfactant-asphaltene interactions in hydrocarbon solvents has been cited 44 times, reinforcing his expertise in interfacial behavior.

Conclusion

Dr. Mohammadali Ahmadi stands as a leading figure in the field of petroleum engineering and energy science. His ability to tackle intricate challenges using computational tools and experimental insights has not only enriched academic literature but also provided viable solutions for the energy industry. With a remarkable blend of scientific rigor, technical innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Ahmadi continues to shape the future of enhanced oil recovery and sustainable energy processes. His qualifications, productivity, and scholarly excellence make him an outstanding candidate for any distinguished award in engineering and applied science.

Chigozie Uzoh | Flow Assurance and Paraffin Control | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chigozie Uzoh | Flow Assurance and Paraffin Control | Best Academic Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Dr. Chigozie Francolins Uzoh is an esteemed academic in the field of Chemical Engineering with over a decade of experience in research, teaching, and professional service. He holds a PhD, M.Eng., and B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, where he is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Uzoh is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH), Germany, under the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. His research interests focus on sustainable processes, environmental engineering, and the development of bio-based polymeric materials, including controlled release fertilizers and waste minimization techniques in energy recovery and petroleum/petrochemical sectors.

Profile

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Education

Dr. Uzoh’s academic foundation was laid at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where he earned his Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng), Master of Engineering (M.Eng), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degrees in Chemical Engineering, completing his doctoral degree in 2017. Prior to his tertiary education, he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate from Igwebuike Grammar School and his First School Leaving Certificate from Nkwelle Primary School, both in Awka. His academic excellence across all levels set the tone for his advanced research career.

Experience

Dr. Uzoh’s professional experience spans across academia, research, and industry. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where he has contributed significantly to the academic development of students and the advancement of the chemical engineering discipline. His teaching portfolio includes courses on petroleum engineering, chemical process optimization, transport phenomena, and process control. He has also served as the Head of the Petroleum Engineering Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University from 2022 to 2024.

In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Uzoh has held various positions of responsibility in research and higher education, including a Sabbatical Senior Lectureship at Alex Ekwueme Federal University (AE-FUNAI), and a role as Postgraduate Supervisor. His industry experience includes a position as a Technologist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a stint at Stone Chemical Company. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by his involvement in several committees related to effective teaching and quality assurance at the Faculty of Engineering.

Research Interests

Dr. Uzoh’s research interests lie at the intersection of sustainable engineering and chemical process optimization. His work is particularly focused on the design and optimization of environmentally friendly processes, with an emphasis on bio-based polymeric materials for coating applications and controlled-release fertilizers. He is also engaged in research related to petroleum and petrochemical processes, including waxy crude oil flow improvement, energy recovery, and waste minimization. Additionally, he has a keen interest in microencapsulation techniques, which are pivotal for improving the efficiency of fertilizers and other chemical applications. His work on the decolorization of dyes from synthetic wastewater is also a critical aspect of his research in sustainable chemical engineering.

Awards

Dr. Uzoh’s groundbreaking work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is a 2024 recipient of the George Foster Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. He was previously awarded the 2020 Postdoctoral Researchers Award under the Chinese Academy of Science’s President’s International Fellowship Initiative (CAS-PIFI). He was a 2019 finalist in the H.C. Orsted-Marie Curie Cofund Fellowship in Denmark and a semi-finalist in the 2018 Elsevier Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge in Berlin. His dedication to academic excellence has also earned him multiple TETFUND IBR Research Grants in 2014, 2016, and 2024. Notably, he has served as an Editorial Board Member for the American Journal of Chemical Engineering since 2016.

Publications

Dr. Uzoh has made significant contributions to the body of knowledge in chemical engineering through his publications in reputable journals. His recent works include:

Uzoh C.F., John S.U., Ezea H.A., Igbonekwu L.I., Madiebo E.M. (2024). Bio-based flow improvers for waxy petroleum crude, Geoenergy Science and Engineering. [Cited by: Journal of Petroleum Science & Engineering].

Ezekannagha C.B., Onukwuli O.D., Uzoh C.F., Eze C.N. (2023). Kinetic modeling of bio‑based heterogeneously catalyzed lard oil methanolysis, Reaction Kinetics, Mechanisms and Catalysis. [Cited by: Renewable Energy].

Madiebo E.M., Uzoh C.F., Onukwuli O.D. (2023). Fire-retardant acrylic coating by silica-coated limestone (SCL) microencapsulation, Composite Interfaces. [Cited by: Journal of Coating Technology].

Uzoh C.F., Nnuekwe A., Onukwuli O.D., Ofochebe N.S. (2019). Optimal conversion of rubber seed oil to biodiesel, Journal of Cleaner Production. [Cited by: Fuel].

Uzoh C.F., Obele M.C., Umennabuife U.M., Onukwuli O.D. (2019). Synthesis of rubber seed oil waterborne alkyd resin, Journal of Coating Technology and Research. [Cited by: Progress in Organic Coatings].

Uzoh C.F., Onukwuli O.D. (2018). Encapsulation of urea with alkyd resin-starch membranes for controlled N2 release, Process Safety and Environmental Protection. [Cited by: Environmental Technology & Innovation].

Uzoh C.F., Onukwuli O.D. (2016). Improved prediction of alkyd reactors via infrequent-delayed observations, Chemical Engineering Research and Design. [Cited by: AIChE Journal].

Conclusion

Dr. Chigozie Francolins Uzoh’s academic and research journey is marked by excellence, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. His interdisciplinary contributions to chemical engineering and environmental science have not only advanced the frontiers of knowledge but also provided practical solutions to industrial and ecological challenges. As a thought leader, educator, and researcher, he continues to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists globally. His career trajectory and scholarly achievements make him an outstanding nominee for prestigious recognition.