Saleh Alaswad | Chemical Engineering | Best Innovation Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saleh Alaswad | Chemical Engineering | Best Innovation Award

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology | Saudi Arabia

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Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saleh Alaswad began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering Technology from the College of Technology, Riyadh, specializing in Separation Engineering. He furthered his education with a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences from King Saud University, focusing on radionuclide distribution in Saudi Arabia’s surface soils. His doctoral research at Surrey University, UK, under Prof. Dr. Rex Thrope, delved into advanced Manipulations Osmosis Desalination and Membrane Processing, setting the foundation for his expertise in water processing technologies.

Professional Endeavors 🌍

Dr. Alaswad's career encompasses a blend of academic teaching and cutting-edge research. Currently, he is an Associate Research Professor at the Nuclear Science Research Institute, where he contributes to the advancement of chemical process engineering and nuclear technology. His professional experience includes significant work in radiation protection, low-power research reactors, and environmental monitoring, reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Alaswad's research focuses on:

  • Chemical Process Engineering: Innovations in forward osmosis, membrane filtration systems, and AI-driven desalination technologies.
  • Nuclear Technology: Development of microreactors, neutron activation analysis, and stable isotope applications.
  • Environmental Studies: Pioneering work in air pollution monitoring and environmental impact assessments.

His projects, supported by global collaborations with IAEA and Japan Petroleum Energy Center, emphasize sustainable solutions for water treatment and agricultural irrigation, leveraging cutting-edge technology and research.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Dr. Alaswad’s contributions to science have earned him the prestigious Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination. His work has been showcased at notable international conferences like the Future of Desalination International Conference and the Saudi Water Forum. His achievements underscore his commitment to addressing global water and environmental challenges.

Impact and Influence 🌟

Through groundbreaking research and international collaborations, Dr. Alaswad has significantly influenced water desalination technologies and environmental protection. His work bridges academia, industry, and policy-making, driving innovations that align with sustainable development goals.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌱

Dr. Alaswad’s legacy lies in his multifaceted contributions to chemical engineering, environmental science, and nuclear technology. His continued research on cost-effective desalination and smart irrigation systems promises impactful solutions for global water scarcity and agricultural challenges, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

 

Publications


📜 Integrated System of Reverse Osmosis and Forward Pressure-Assisted Osmosis from ZrO2 Base Polymer Membranes for Desalination Technology
Authors: Saleh O. Alaswad, Heba Abdallah, Eman S. Mansor
Journal: Technologies, Year: 2024


📜 Artificial Intelligence Applications in Forward Osmosis for Water Treatment: Recent Developments and Research Directions
Authors: Saleh O. Alaswad, Eydhah Almatrafi
Journal: Journal of Desalination and Water Treatment, Year: 2024


📜 Fabrication of Spiny-like Spherical Copper Metal–Organic Frameworks for the Microextraction of Arsenic(III) from Water and Food Samples before ICP-MS Detection
Authors: Mohamed Sheikh, Saleh O. Alaswad, Mohamed A. Habila, Zeid A. ALOthman
Journal: MDPI Applied Science, Year: 2023


📜 Advances in Guar Gum-Based Materials in Biomedical Applications with Special Reference to Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: PN Sudha, S Pavithra, Vishnu Priya Murali, Saleh O. Alaswad, Prabhakarn Arunachalam
Journal: Natural Biopolymers in Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Year: 2023


📜 Enhancing Photocatalytic Performance of Co-TiO2 and Mo-TiO2-Based Catalysts through Defect Engineering and Doping: A Study on the Degradation of Organic Pollutants under UV Light
Authors: Mubarak A. Eldoma, Saleh O. Alaswad, Mohamed A. Mahmoud, et al.
Journal: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry,  Year: 2023


 

Guldem Utkan | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Guldem Utkan | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

SUNUM, Sabanci University | Turkey

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Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Guldem Utkan's journey in academia began with her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, in 1989. She further pursued her education in the United States, obtaining two Master’s degrees. The first, in Materials Science and Engineering, was from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, U.S.A., in 1992, where her thesis focused on the "Chemical Etching Technique for Porous and Fine Grain YBa2Cu3O7-x Superconductors with or without Silver Addition." She continued her studies at Lehigh University, earning another M.Sc. in Polymer Science and Engineering in 1997, with a thesis on "Shear Band Propagations in Different Crosslinked Epoxies." Her academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, in 2006, with a dissertation on the synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles and their nucleic acid applications.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Utkan has had an illustrious career spanning several prestigious institutions. She began as a Research Assistant at Lehigh University from 1996 to 1998 and later at Hacettepe University from 1998 to 2007. She then served as Chief Researcher at the TUBITAK Marmara Research Center’s Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute from 2008 to 2018. She continued her academic career as an Associate Professor at Marmara University, Faculty of Engineering, Chemical Engineering Department, from 2018 to 2022. Currently, she is a part-time researcher at SUNUM, Sabancı University, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Utkan's research has significantly impacted various fields, particularly in the synthesis and application of nanoparticles and nanotechnology in chemical engineering. Her projects include the TUBITAK 1004 "LignoNANO" project, focusing on sustainable circular economy and advanced nanotechnological materials. She has also led and participated in numerous other projects, such as investigating the effect of biologically produced reduced graphene oxide on wound dressing materials and the development of DNA purification kits based on magnetically loaded polymeric nanoparticles.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Utkan's contributions to science have been recognized through several awards and honors. Notably, she received the Turkish Ministry of National Education Scholarship for her graduate studies in the U.S.A. and a High Honor Student award during her undergraduate years at M.E.T.U. Her membership in various prestigious societies, including the World Controlled Release Society and the Turkish Biochemistry Society, further attests to her esteemed position in the scientific community.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Utkan's work has had a profound influence on both academic research and practical applications. Her research on magnetic nanoparticles and their use in biotechnology has paved the way for advancements in DNA purification and medical applications. Her contributions as a reviewer and editorial board member for several high-impact journals, including the Journal of Nanomedicine and the Journal of Biomedical Engineering, underscore her influence in shaping contemporary research in her fields of expertise.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As Dr. Utkan continues her work at SUNUM, Sabancı University, she remains committed to advancing her research and contributing to the scientific community. Her future endeavors are likely to build on her extensive background in nanotechnology and chemical engineering, driving innovations that could lead to significant breakthroughs in medical and industrial applications.

 

Notable Publications

The comparison of contribution of GO and rGO produced by green synthesis to the properties of CMC-based wound dressing material 2024

Production of Reduced Graphene Oxide by Using Three Different Microorganisms and Investigation of Their Cell Interactions 2023 (4)

Microbial Reduction of Graphene Oxide by Lactobacillus Plantarum 2019 (13)

A novel PLED architecture containing biologically synthesized gold nanoparticles and ultra thin silver layer 2015 (11)

Role of biomaterials in prevention of in-stent restenosis 2014 (4)