Qi Yang | Sustainable Polymer | Best Academic Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Qi Yang | Sustainable Polymer | Best Academic Researcher Award

Teacher at Qingdao University of Science and Technology | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Qi Yang is a dedicated researcher and academic in the field of polymer science and engineering, currently serving as an Associate Professor at the School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Polymer Materials and Engineering from Qingdao University of Science and Technology in 2014, followed by a Ph.D. in Material Science from the University of Science and Technology of China in 2019, where he conducted advanced research under the guidance of Prof. Xuequan Zhang. Since 2020, he has contributed significantly to teaching and research as a faculty member, while also expanding his international academic exposure through a postdoctoral fellowship at Tampere University from 2023 to 2025. His research interests center on developing eco-friendly synthetic pathways for diene rubbers, exploring novel structures and properties to enhance their industrial applications, and advancing functionalization methods to equip synthetic rubbers with innovative properties tailored for sectors including healthcare and electronics. He is also deeply engaged in creating stimuli-responsive rubber materials that react to light, heat, and magnetism, enabling their integration into soft robotics for intelligent, flexible actuation and adaptive deformation. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Qi Yang scholarly contributions are evidenced by his publications in high-impact journals, covering topics such as selective polymerization of isoprene, novel copolymer designs for high-performance elastomers, light-responsive programmable materials, and sustainable thermoplastic elastomers. His work not only advances the understanding of polymer structures and properties but also bridges fundamental research with practical applications in advanced materials. With a strong foundation in material science and a focus on sustainable and intelligent polymer systems, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Qi Yang continues to make meaningful contributions to the field, aiming to drive innovation in both academic research and industrial applications.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Liu, X., Yang, Q., Zhang, C., Zhang, X., & Liu, H. (2024). 3,4-Selective polymerization of isoprene by iron-based system: The key role of borate salts for enhancing catalytic activities and broadening 1,10-phenanthroline ligand scope.

Liu, X., Zheng, H., Wang, X., Jiang, Z., Gu, J., Liu, H., Zhang, C., Yang, Q., & Zhang, X. (2023). Novel butadiene/isoprene copolymer with predominant 1,2/3,4-units: A tough thermoplastic elastomer material with superior dynamic mechanical properties.

Yang, Q., Shahsavan, H., Deng, Z., Guo, H., Zhang, H., Liu, H., Zhang, C., Priimagi, A., Zhang, X., & Zeng, H. (2022). Semi‐crystalline rubber as a light‐responsive, programmable, resilient robotic material.

Yang, Q., Zheng, W., Zhao, W., Peng, C., Ren, J., Yu, Q., Hu, Y., & Zhang, X. (2019). One-way and two-way shape memory effects of a high-strain cis-1,4-polybutadiene–polyethylene copolymer based dynamic network via self-complementary quadruple hydrogen bonding.

Yang, Q., Peng, C., Ren, J., Zhao, W., Zheng, W., Zhang, C., Hu, Y., & Zhang, X. (2019). A near-infrared photoactuator based on shape memory semi-crystalline polymers toward light-fueled crane, grasper, and walker.

Yang, Q., Wang, X., Wang, B., Liu, Y., Sun, Y., Na, L., Wang, F., Zhang, C., Liu, H., & Zhang, X. (2021). Toward sustainable and strong ABA-type thermoplastic elastomers with poly(ε-caprolactone-co-4-methyl-ε-caprolactone) soft midblock and polystyrene hard end blocks.

Katia Sofia D S Gomes | Renewable Energy and Energy Transition | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Ms. Katia Sofia D S Gomes | Renewable Energy and Energy Transition | Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at RWTH Aachen University | Germany

Katia D. S. Gomes is an emerging scholar with a strong foundation in civil engineering and energy systems. Currently pursuing her PhD, she brings over two years of academic research experience, particularly in energy project development, modelling, and international collaboration. Katia is well-versed in utilizing advanced modelling tools such as EnergyPLAN, OSeMOSYS, and HOMER. Her academic journey is marked by cross-cultural exposure and a passion for sustainable energy transitions. Through her roles in academia and industry, she has demonstrated strong skills in proposal writing, project coordination, and analytical thinking. Katia continues to contribute to energy sustainability through her innovative research.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Katia holds a Master of Science in Energy and Green Hydrogen, which she completed at the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Senegal. Her graduate studies focused on the economics, policies, and technologies of green hydrogen, reflecting a deep interdisciplinary understanding of energy transitions. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University Jean Piaget of Cape Verde. Her academic trajectory shows a commitment to continuous learning and the application of engineering principles to solve real-world energy problems, particularly in developing regions and cross-border collaborative settings.

Experience

Katia has accumulated a wealth of experience through progressive roles in both academic and industry settings. Currently, she works as a research assistant at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, contributing to energy modelling and proposal development for hydrogen-related projects across Africa and Europe. She also supported the university as a student assistant in 2023. Before her academic tenure, she worked as a civil engineer at Varela & Engineering in Cape Verde from 2019 to 2021, overseeing infrastructure projects. Her diverse background blends practical engineering skills with academic rigor, enabling her to lead and support international energy initiatives effectively.

Research Interest

Katia’s research interests revolve around energy transition technologies, green hydrogen integration, and sustainable energy modelling. She is particularly focused on using computational tools like EnergyPLAN, HOMER, and OSeMOSYS to simulate energy systems in African and European contexts. Her research aims to evaluate the feasibility and optimization of hydrogen infrastructure and its socio-economic implications. Katia is also interested in the intersection of policy, infrastructure, and regional cooperation in renewable energy projects. Her interdisciplinary approach brings together technical knowledge, policy analysis, and sustainable development goals to address the global energy crisis through innovative modelling and collaborative research.

Award

Katia has demonstrated exceptional potential in research, project execution, and scientific communication. Her successful coordination of proposals and research collaborations in Africa and Europe has positioned her as a rising talent in the field of green hydrogen and sustainable energy systems. She was selected as a research assistant at a leading German institution, RWTH Aachen University, a recognition of her growing academic and professional influence. Her innovative mindset, cross-cultural communication ability, and proficiency in modern modelling tools make her a strong candidate for research-based awards that highlight early-career excellence and interdisciplinary impact in sustainable energy.

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: The role of transport sector integration in achieving high shares of renewable energy in African islands
    Journal: The case of Santiago, Cabo Verde
    Year: 2025

Conclusion

Katia D. S. Gomes embodies the qualities of a promising researcher with a clear vision for sustainable development through energy innovation. Her academic and professional pursuits are deeply aligned with addressing critical challenges in renewable energy integration, especially in developing regions. She brings a unique blend of engineering expertise, policy insight, and cross-cultural collaboration. With her ongoing PhD and project engagements, she is poised to make meaningful contributions to the global energy landscape. Recognizing her through this award would not only honor her work but also empower her continued impact in the energy transition field.

Hadi Belhaj | CCUS & Hydrogen Energy | Excellence in Reservoir Engineering Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Prof. Hadi Belhaj | CCUS & Hydrogen Energy | Excellence in Reservoir Engineering Award

Energy Eng. Professor at Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates

Dr. Hadi A. Belhaj is a globally recognized petroleum engineering scholar and industry consultant with over four decades of combined academic, research, and field experience. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Khalifa University, UAE, where he leads pioneering research in unconventional reservoir development, enhanced oil recovery, and carbon capture technologies. His professional journey includes extensive contributions to reservoir engineering, geomechanics, and hydrogen energy, making him a distinguished figure in both academia and the oil and gas sector.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Belhaj earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Dalhousie University, Canada, focusing on matrix/fracture flow modeling in porous media. He holds an M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, where he investigated geopressure detection and evaluation. His foundational B.Sc. was obtained from the University of Tripoli (formerly El-Fateh University) in Libya, with a final-year project on decline-curve analysis. These degrees collectively laid the foundation for his expertise in reservoir dynamics and simulation.

Experience

Dr. Belhaj’s career spans positions in academia, consulting, and the petroleum industry. His hands-on fieldwork began with Dowell Schlumberger, followed by progressive roles at Libya’s National Oil Corporation, where he contributed to pioneering EOR studies and reservoir management strategies. His academic appointments at Texas Tech University and Khalifa University have allowed him to supervise high-impact research, lead curriculum development, and serve on multiple technical and editorial boards. Additionally, he has served as principal investigator on several multimillion-dollar funded projects tackling challenges like asphaltene deposition, slim-tube modeling, and capillary transition zones.

Research Interest

His research interests include reservoir characterization, unconventional reservoir development, carbon capture and storage (CCUS), hydrogen energy storage, porous media flow, EOR mechanisms, and geomechanics. He actively integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance petroleum engineering decision-making. His recent work also explores caprock integrity and creep deformation for hydrogen underground storage, reflecting his focus on sustainable energy transitions.

Award

Dr. Belhaj has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the 2021 SPE International Distinguished Service Award, the 2020 and 2013 SPE Distinguished Achievement for Petroleum Engineering Faculty Awards, and the 2019 SPE Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award. He has also received innovation recognitions such as the 2012 ADMA Innovation Award and various graduate scholarships during his academic tenure, underscoring both academic excellence and industry impact.

Publication

Among Dr. Belhaj’s notable publications are:

“Geoengineering of Hydrogen Energy” (Elsevier, in press, 2025) – cited in emerging CCUS reviews.
“Hydrogen underground storage potential in sandstone formation” (Fuel, 2025) – cited in U.S. DOE hydrogen repositories.
“Abiotic evaluation of geochemical reactions of sandstone minerals” (International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2025) – referenced in recent EU energy storage guidelines.
“Emerging advances in CO₂ storativity and trappability within shale reservoirs” (Energy Science and Engineering Journal, 2024).
“Workflow of the In Situ Combustion EOR Method in Venezuela” (ACS Omega, 2023).
“Standardization of Particle Size for Wettability Measurement” (ACS Omega, 2023).
“Hybrid Carbonated Engineered Water for Oil-Wet Carbonates” (Energies, 2022) – cited in SPE’s water-based EOR studies.

Conclusion

Dr. Hadi Belhaj exemplifies leadership, innovation, and service in petroleum engineering. His blend of industry acumen, academic rigor, and commitment to sustainable energy solutions makes him an outstanding nominee for this prestigious award. From mentoring future engineers to shaping global EOR practices, his legacy continues to drive transformative advancements in energy resource management.