I am an academic leader and researcher deeply rooted in industrial research and development, with a strong passion for building meaningful bridges between universities and industry. For around two decades, I have served as a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), where I worked to advance research with real-world industrial relevance and strengthen institutional frameworks that support innovation and academic excellence.

Throughout my career, I’ve held several leadership roles, including Expert Advisor to the Vice Chancellor, Assistant Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. In each of these roles, I have led strategic initiatives aimed at bringing academia closer to industry. I have helped cultivate partnerships with major UAE industries, secure external funding, and establish MOUs that have supported the development and commercialization of several technologies. Many of these collaborations have extended internationally, enriching academic programs and expanding global impact. One of the achievements I am most proud of is leading a full curriculum reform for the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering programs. In close collaboration with industry stakeholders, I worked to align the with emerging challenges in energy and sustainability, preparing graduates to thrive in dynamic, innovation-driven environments.

To promote applied research, I initiated and led the creation of six specialized research focus groups and reorganized laboratory infrastructure into a collaborative, impact-focused ecosystem. Under my leadership, the department experienced significant growth in faculty size, research output, and student enrolment. Earlier, as Director of the Project Management Unit, I led efforts to improve university rankings, boost institutional revenue and implement data-driven planning tools.

As a researcher, I have led or co-led projects totalling over AED 23 million in competitive funding. My work focuses on biofuels production, wastewater treatment, carbon capture, and enzymatic catalysis using advanced materials like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). I have published over 130 Scopus-indexed research papers and holds 7 patents addressing critical industrial challenges, including biodiesel production systems and membrane bioreactors. Several of these technologies have reached pilot-scale implementation, reflecting my commitment to practical, scalable innovation.

My work has been recognized with several honours, including the UAEU Chancellor Innovation Award and Distinguished Professor Award. I was listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists by Stanford University and ranked first in chemical engineering at UAEU by the AD Scientific Index in both 2022 and 2023.