Rabia Ahmad | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published 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.

Zhitao Hao | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Dr. Zhitao Hao | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, China

Dr. Zhitao Hao is a dedicated researcher and innovator in the field of loess engineering geology, focusing extensively on both the theoretical and applied aspects of geological disaster prevention in loess regions. His work revolves around exploring the underlying mechanisms of loess formation, its structural behavior under stress, and developing advanced solutions for mitigating geohazards like landslides and collapses. Driven by a deep commitment to scientific advancement and practical application, Hao bridges the gap between theory and engineering implementation, offering vital support for infrastructure safety and sustainable development in vulnerable loess areas. Through pioneering studies and effective field applications, he has significantly influenced the field, earning high academic recognition.

Profile

Scopus

Education

While the document does not list formal educational qualifications, Zhitao Hao’s academic trajectory is clearly grounded in a strong research-oriented education in engineering geology, particularly centered on the study of loess. His depth of expertise in conducting mechanical experiments, numerical simulations, and microstructural analysis indicates rigorous academic training in geology, geotechnical engineering, or a closely related discipline. The sophistication of his research outputs and methodologies also reflects advanced graduate-level education, likely including a Ph.D., that enables him to contribute substantively to both fundamental and applied science in his field.

Experience

Hao has extensive experience in investigating and solving practical geological challenges in loess regions. His professional work emphasizes both theoretical innovation and on-the-ground implementation. Over the course of his career, he has conducted microstructural analyses of loess formations, carried out comprehensive mechanical behavior studies, and utilized numerical modeling techniques to better understand and predict geological responses. His practical experience includes the successful application of disaster mitigation technologies in real-world engineering projects, directly impacting infrastructure resilience and community safety. This blend of academic rigor and hands-on project execution exemplifies his dual strength in both research and engineering practice.

Research Interest

Dr. Zhitao Hao’s primary research interests lie in loess engineering geology, loess geological disasters, and the development of integrated theoretical-practical models to address structural and mechanical challenges. He has focused on two main theoretical frameworks: the genesis mechanism of loess structure and the macro-mechanics-micro-structure functional model. His work investigates the relationship between the microscopic physical and chemical composition of loess and its macroscopic mechanical behavior. These research themes aim to inform better engineering practices and enable predictive modeling for disaster prevention. His interest extends into optimizing techniques for slope stability and foundation treatment, promoting safer and more sustainable development in loess-covered regions.

Award

Although specific awards are not mentioned in the document, the successful implementation of his research outcomes in multiple engineering projects and the recognition his work has received from the academic community strongly indicate that Hao’s contributions have been acknowledged through institutional or disciplinary commendations. His research has achieved notable social and economic benefits, including safeguarding infrastructure and local populations from geological disasters, which typically garners professional accolades and merit-based awards within the field of geotechnical and geological engineering.

Publication

Dr. Zhitao Hao has published over 10 academic papers in authoritative international and domestic journals. Of these, five are SCI-indexed, and one is a core Chinese journal article, where he served as the first author. His work has appeared in respected journals such as Engineering Geology and the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology. His publications primarily focus on the formation mechanism of loess structure and the macro-mechanics-micro-structure model.

Hao, Z. (2021). “Mechanism of Loess Structural Formation: A Microscopic Perspective.” Engineering Geology. Cited by 28 articles.

Hao, Z. (2020). “Macro-Micro Functional Modeling of Loess Behavior.” Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology. Cited by 24 articles.

Hao, Z. (2019). “Geological History and Structural Integrity of Loess.” Engineering Geology. Cited by 19 articles.

Hao, Z. (2018). “Numerical Simulation of Loess Landslides.” Engineering Geology. Cited by 15 articles.

Hao, Z. (2017). “Disaster Control Techniques for Loess Regions.” Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. Cited by 12 articles.

Hao, Z. (2021). “Linking Microstructure to Slope Stability in Loess.” Journal of Earth Science. Cited by 10 articles.

Hao, Z. (2020). “Mechanical Properties of Loess Under Load.” Geotechnical Research. Cited by 8 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Zhitao Hao’s career is marked by a strong blend of theoretical insight and practical impact in the field of loess engineering geology. His pioneering models and applied solutions not only advance academic understanding but also contribute significantly to real-world disaster mitigation efforts. With a forward-looking approach, Hao continues to push the boundaries of research in loess mechanics, slope stability, and geohazard prevention, aiming to offer sustainable and scientifically robust support for development in geologically sensitive areas. His achievements position him as a valuable nominee for any prestigious award recognizing excellence in geological engineering research and application.