Rabia Ahmad | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Petroleum Engineering

Dr. Rabia Ahmad | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dharan, Saudi Arabia

Rabia Ahmad is a dedicated postdoctoral research fellow at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, where she explores cutting-edge materials for sustainable energy solutions. Her academic and professional journey reflects a consistent commitment to research excellence in electrochemistry, energy storage, and nanomaterials. She has held diverse roles, including research associate and exchange scholar, gaining experience across Pakistan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. Rabia has developed an impressive profile through interdisciplinary collaborations and innovation-driven research. Her expertise lies in the synthesis and characterization of novel materials that enhance the efficiency of batteries, supercapacitors, and electro-catalytic systems.

Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Rabia Ahmad holds a Ph.D. in Energy Systems Engineering from the U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy, completed in 2022 at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad. Her doctoral work focused on advanced electrochemical materials, particularly for energy storage devices. She previously earned an M.Phil. in Chemistry from Gomal University in 2016, following a Master of Chemistry from Baha Uddin Zakariya University in 2008. Her academic foundation was laid with a Bachelor of Science from Government Degree College for Women, affiliated with BZU. This educational trajectory empowered her with theoretical and practical grounding in materials science.

Experience

Rabia Ahmad brings extensive multidisciplinary experience in materials chemistry and electrochemical systems. She currently serves as a postdoctoral fellow at KFUPM, working on aluminum-air batteries and petroleum coke-derived carbon for electrocatalysis. Previously, she was a research associate at NUST, contributing to electric vehicle components, LFP electrode development, and MOF-based catalysts. Her tenure as a research exchange scholar at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis enriched her expertise in MXene composites. From 2017–2021, she served as a research assistant at NUST, mentoring students and conducting lab demonstrations. Her career reflects a continual focus on sustainable and scalable energy materials.

Research Interest

Rabia Ahmad’s research interests span energy materials and electrochemical systems, with a focus on Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), MXenes, nanoporous carbon electrodes, and petroleum coke derivatives. She is particularly invested in the development of hybrid supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and metal-air batteries with improved efficiency and sustainability. Her work extends into ORR/OER catalysis and advanced electrochemical characterizations such as cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Her scientific curiosity also includes the synthesis of nanomaterials such as graphene oxide and metal sulfides. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates green chemistry with material innovation for next-generation energy devices.

Awards

Rabia Ahmad has received several accolades recognizing her contributions to energy research. In 2025, she won a Paper Presentation Award at The Electrochemical Society’s 247th Meeting for her work on hybrid capacitors using MXene-CNT composites. Earlier, in 2024, she was honored at the American Chemical Society Fall Conference for presenting on vacuum residue for electrocatalysis. She received a Best Poster Award at PU-AESM-2019 and was a lab demonstrator in multiple workshops at NUST. She also completed a prestigious M-Xene course at Drexel University in 2021 and was a USAID merit scholar during her Ph.D. studies. These honors underscore her excellence and impact.

Publications Top Notes

Rabia Ahmad has authored several influential papers in top-tier journals, contributing significantly to energy materials research:

  1. Effect of barbituric acid in regulating the Al anode/electrolyte interface – Journal of Power Sources, 2025.

  2. Influence of Mechanochemical Processing on Petroleum Coke – Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2025.

  3. Enhanced redox kinetics in ceria-doped MOFs – Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2025, explores supercapacitor electrodes.

  4. Harnessing M-Xenes for hydrogen storage – Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2025, widely cited in green hydrogen discussions.

  5. Manganese-doped Ni-MOF catalysts for metal-air batteries – Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2025.

  6. Sustainable additives for Aluminium corrosion control – Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 2025.

  7. M-Xenes and electrochemical reduction reactions – Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025, outlining new frontiers in M-Xene chemistry.

Conclusion

Rabia Ahmad is a rising leader in the energy materials research community. Her academic rigor, global collaborations, and impactful contributions to the field of electrochemical energy storage set her apart. Her work not only advances scientific understanding but also aligns with global sustainability goals through green energy innovations. Through high-impact publications, patents, and award-winning presentations, she has demonstrated her capacity for transformative research. As she continues her postdoctoral work on aluminum-air batteries and sustainable electro-catalysts, Rabia remains committed to pushing the frontiers of material science for a cleaner and more efficient energy future.

Shuangmei Zou | Reservoir Fluid Flow | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Petroleum Engineering

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

Orcid

🏫 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.

Ida Lykke Fabricius | Petrophysics and Rock Physics | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Petroleum Engineering

Prof. Dr. Ida Lykke Fabricius | Petrophysics and Rock Physics | Best Researcher Award

Professor Emerita at Technical University of Denmark, Denmark

Ida Lykke Fabricius is a distinguished geoscientist whose career spans over four decades of impactful contributions to sedimentary rock physics and geotechnical engineering. Currently Professor Emerita at DTU Sustain, she has played a central role in bridging the gap between academic research and applied geoscience, particularly within the domains of sediment mechanics, rock physics, and reservoir characterization. Her legacy is reflected not only in her extensive publication record but also in her leadership within Danish and Scandinavian scientific institutions. Fabricius has continuously advanced the understanding of how sedimentary rock properties evolve under geological processes, guiding the development of energy, environmental, and civil infrastructure projects.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Fabricius’s academic journey began with an MSc in Geology from the University of Copenhagen in 1981, where she was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal. She went on to earn her PhD in 1988 at the Institute of Applied Geology at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), focusing on the physical behavior of geological materials. Her academic pursuit culminated in a Dr. techn. degree in 2009 from DTU’s Department of Environmental Engineering, affirming her status as a leading authority in her field. Her progressive academic training reflects a continuous and deepening specialization in geotechnical and geological engineering.

Experience

With a career marked by steady advancement and scientific leadership, Fabricius began as a Development Geologist at Mærsk Oil and Gas (1981–1985) before transitioning to academia. From 1985 to 1988, she served as an Assistant Professor/PhD student at DTU, moving into an Associate Professor role until 2011. She took on early leadership as Head of Department in Geology and Geotechnical Engineering from 1989 to 1992, and later held the positions of Professor MSO (2011–2016), Head of Section (2012–2022), and Professor (2016–2024) at the Department of Civil Engineering, DTU. Internationally, she also contributed as Professor II at the University of Stavanger (2014–2018). Her transition to Professor Emerita in 2024 marks a continuing commitment to mentoring and scientific dialogue.

Research Interest

Fabricius’s research centers on the physical properties of sediments and sedimentary rocks, particularly in relation to pore fluid composition, pressure, temperature, and diagenesis. Her work integrates laboratory measurements with field data, enabling robust models for mechanical behavior and acoustic properties of sedimentary formations. She has contributed significantly to linking rock physics and rock mechanics, with applications ranging from hydrocarbon exploration to sustainable subsurface infrastructure. Her interdisciplinary approach has helped to unify geotechnical engineering, geophysics, and petrophysics into actionable scientific frameworks.

Award

Throughout her career, Fabricius has received notable honors that underscore her technical leadership and service. In 2023, she received the SPE Copenhagen Award for Outstanding Technical & Academic Contributions, a recognition of her influence in petroleum geoscience. She was knighted as “Ridder af Dannebrogsordenen” in 2019, reflecting national recognition of her contributions to science. Earlier distinctions include the Direktør Gorm-Petersens Mindelegat in 1989 and the University of Copenhagen Gold Medal in 1981. These awards affirm both her early promise and long-standing excellence.

Publication

Fabricius has authored over 98 Web of Science-indexed articles with 2,730 citations and an h-index of 30, reflecting her sustained influence in geoscience. Some notable publications include:

  1. Fabricius, I. L. (2003). “How burial diagenesis affects chalk porosity.” AAPG Bulletin, cited by 289 articles.

  2. Fabricius, I. L., et al. (2007). “Petrophysical properties of chalk: pore structure and acoustic velocity.” Petroleum Geoscience, cited by 174 articles.

  3. Fabricius, I. L., & Baechle, G. (2009). “Elastic moduli of chalk and pore system properties.” Geophysics, cited by 141 articles.

  4. Fabricius, I. L., et al. (2008). “Effect of temperature and salinity on acoustic velocity in chalk.” Geophysical Prospecting, cited by 97 articles.

  5. Fabricius, I. L. (2006). “Pore pressure prediction from acoustic data.” Marine and Petroleum Geology, cited by 85 articles.

  6. Fabricius, I. L., & Røgen, B. (2001). “Strength and porosity of chalk from the North Sea.” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, cited by 76 articles.

  7. Fabricius, I. L., et al. (2010). “Velocity–porosity transforms in chalk.” Geophysical Journal International, cited by 69 articles.

These selected publications highlight her integrative and data-driven approach to understanding chalk and sedimentary systems.

Conclusion

Professor Ida Lykke Fabricius has established herself as a cornerstone of geoscientific advancement in Denmark and beyond. Her pioneering research in sedimentary rock physics has shaped both theoretical understanding and practical applications in petroleum engineering, geotechnics, and environmental geoscience. Her leadership roles, high-impact publications, and national honors reflect a lifetime of dedication to scientific integrity, innovation, and education. Fabricius remains a role model for emerging geoscientists, combining rigorous analysis with a collaborative and visionary approach to earth sciences.