Dr. Zain is the Director of the KFUPM Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology. Dr. Yamani earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1999, and developed to become a Full Professor in Solid State Physics and Molecular Physics at KFUPM. Dr. Yamani's work concentrates on using lasers for nanomaterials synthesis and applications in photocatalysis. Dr. Yamani also works on materials development for applications in petroleum catalysis and chemical sensing. Dr. Yamani received the King Abdul-Aziz Medal of Honor from King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz for his scientific accomplishments. He has tens of papers published in peer-reviewed journals in addition to tens of conference papers. He has awarded several USPTO patents.

Dr. Qamar received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh India. He worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Institute/Faculty of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Engineering, Sejong University, South Korea and as a Project Scientist in the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, India. He was awarded ‘Young Scientist’ by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. He joined the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT) as Postdoctoral Fellow and currently working as Research Scientist-II. He authored more than 55 papers in international journals and holds 4 patents, in addition to several conference proceedings/presentations. His current research interests include synthesis and characterization of nanostructured materials, such as metal oxides, metal carbides, metal phosphide, metal borides, metal sulfides, and so forth, and their nanocomposites. Focus is engineered nanocatalysts, such as porous (mesoporous & microporous) materials, shape- and size-tailored materials, doped compositions, interfaced or heterostructures, surface functionalized (with noble and non-noble formulations), materials. Application includes electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting to generate H2, water decontamination and different catalytic reactions involved in the petroleum and petrochemicals.

Dr. Aasif Helal completed his BSc and MSc from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh India. He completed his Ph.D. in 2010 in “Synthesis and Ion Sensing Properties of Thiazole based Receptors” from Kyungpook National University, South Korea in applied organic chemistry. The same year he was awarded “Best Researcher of the year 2009” by Kyungpook National University. In March 2010 he joined as Postdoctoral Fellow in the same university. In August 2012 he joined Department of Material Science and Engineering at Seoul National University of Seoul, South Korea as a Post-Doctoral Fellow for “the synthesis of novel molecular materials and metal-organic frameworks and their application in Organic Solar Cells, and sensors”. In December 2013 he joined CENT as Research Scientist III. His research interests include design and synthesis of novel organic molecular materials, and metal-organic framework as sensors, carbon capture, and catalysts. Modification and functionalization of nanomaterials for tuning their photophysical and other properties. He authored more than 32 publications in peer-reviewed international journals and holds 2 patents in addition to several conference proceedings/presentations

Dr. Abbas Saeed Hakeem graduated with an MSc (Engineering) specializing in Materials Science from the Department of Materials, University of Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom (2001). During his MSc, the focal theme of his research entailed the phase transformation in steels, aimed at the “Tempering of Engineering Steel”. He obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry specializing in Sialon hard materials from Arrhenius Laboratories at the University of Stockholm in Sweden (2007). He conducted instrumental research with Arrhenius Laboratories for the designing and development of “Ln-SiON, LnSiAlON glasses, Its synthesis, and characterization” (2002), and “Novel route of oxynitride glass synthesis and their characterization” (2003-2007). He moved to GIK Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Topi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, as an Assistant Professor (2007-2010). At GIK he offered laboratory training classes and taught undergraduate and graduate courses related to Ceramics and glasses, X-ray diffraction and crystallography, Strength of materials, Powder metallurgy, Materials science (basic), alloy production, heat treatment and processes, thermodynamics of materials, materials characterization techniques and casting tech. and foundry technology. At present, Dr. Abbas serves as Associate Professor/Research Scientist at the Center of Research Excellence in Nano-Technology (CENT), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM, 2010-To date). His area of research at the CENT is related to the synthesis of nanostructured WC-based hard metals, composites materials, light metals/composites and characterization of synthesized and sintered materials. Additionally, he has mastery of hands-on technical skills with the synthesis of inorganic materials and has supervised many projects. His areas of research expertise and interests are inclusive of but not limited to: · Advanced Materials Development for Engineering Applications · Synthesis of Hard, Light Materials, and Composites Materials · Metallic, Ceramic and Polymeric Composites Development · Sintering of Nano-Structured Light Metals and Composites By Advance Sintering Techniques · Development and Management of Client-Focused R&D Programs · Project Planning and Management · Management and Entrepreneurship He is the author/Co-author of over 50 publications and 20 conference proceedings (including invited articles, conference proceedings, and conferences). On the applied side, he is also the inventor of International Patents, which have been instrumental in building a number of industrial collaborations and facilitating step changes and process improvements in at least two commercial processes.

Dr. Aziz received his B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry in 1999 and M. Sc. in Organic Chemistry in 2001 from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Afterward, he did job in pharmaceutical industries for four years. In September 2005, he moved to BioMEMS and Nanoelectrochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, South Korea for his Ph.D. degree. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in August 2009 in nanomaterial-based electroanalytical chemistry. Then he moved to Nanomaterial Laboratory, Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Japan as a postdoctoral fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and continued his research there until the end of October 2011. Next, he joined as a postdoctoral fellow in Chemistry Department, KFUPM to fabricate nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensor. In September 2013, he joined at CENT as Research Scientist (III). Dr. Aziz authored 58 papers in well-reputed peer-reviewed journals in addition to numerous number of conference proceedings, presentations patents. His major research interests are preparation, immobilization, and functionalization of nanomaterials, and their application in chemical, biochemical and gas sensor fabrication.

Dr. M N Shaikh completed his B. Sc. in year 2001 from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh India. He did his M.Sc. in organic chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University India in year 2003. He joined for PhD in Kyungpook National University, South Korea in year 2004 in inorganic chemistry. He completed his PhD in February 2009, in the development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-ray Computed Tomography (X-ray CT) contrast agents. In March 2009, he joined as postdoctoral fellow in Kyungpook National University, South Korea, to develop super-high relaxivity (T1 and T2) surface functionalized paramagnetic gold nanoparticles. In February 2010, he joined as postdoctoral fellow in Chemistry department KFUPM to develop gold complexes and their in-vitro and in-vivo application as anti-cancer agents. His research interests are: design and synthesis of organic and inorganic nanomaterials, surface functionalization of various nanoparticles and their application as contrast agents and applications of nonmaterials in catalysis.

Dr. Safyan Khan graduated with a B.Sc. in 1992 and received his M.Sc. in 1995 from the University of Punjab, Pakistan. Dr. Khan completed his M.Phil. degree in 2000 working on "catalytic cracking and fractionation of crude oil" at the University of Salford UK. He then moved to Bristol to undertake a PhD at the Bristol Colloid Centre sponsored by National power, UK. His PhD research explored speciation in aqueous polysulfide solutions. After finishing his PhD in June 2004, Dr. Khan joined University of Bristol, UK as a postdoctorate fellow. Later, Dr. Khan was offered a permanent position and served for six years in University of Bristol UK as a Senior Scientist. During his work at Bristol He has undertaken high profile research project from multination organization including Merck Chemicals, Baker Hughes, Infineum, National Power, SKF, BP petroleum and ISIS Rutherford Appleton Laboratory etc. His research focuses on key aspects of new technology across market sectors including oil exploration, lubricant’s engineering, pharmaceutical, electrophoretic displays, energy storage, coating industries, polymer composites applications and other novel uses of nanomaterials. He has a great deal of experience in the Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Colloidal materials. In 2011 Dr. Khan joined the Center of Research Excellence in Nanotechnology at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

Dr. Abuzar Khan received his PhD in Chemistry from A.M.U in 2013. During his PhD, he also worked as a Research Assistant in the Department of Chemistry on CST-UP funded project. After his PhD, he worked at Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea as post-doctoral fellow from Sept, 2013-to Dec, 2015. He joined KFUPM as post-doc fellow in Jan, 2016. He has authored/co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed research papers. His research experience includes the synthesis of advanced & functional nanostructured material for photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical applications. Besides, he also has experience in studying the kinetics and mechanism of redox removal of organic/ inorganic pollutants by zero-valent metals. His current research focuses on the synthesis and modification of zeolites and their application in the petrochemical industry.

Dr. Mohd Yusuf Khan completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India in 2004 and 2006 respectively and awarded Gold Medal for standing first in M.Sc. He worked in pharmaceutical company (US FDA approved plant) as a lisinopril production officer (July 2006 to December 2007) in LUPIN Pharma Pvt. Ltd., Bhopal (M.P.) India. Later, he joined for Ph.D. in 2008 and received his Ph.D. degree in Polymer Science, from Chemical Engineering Department, Yeungnam University, South Korea in August, 2012. Prior to joining KFUPM in 2014, Dr. Yusuf has been working as Foreign Research Professor at the Department of Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Soongsil University, South Korea. During Ph.D. and post Ph.D. experience, he gained experience in designing, synthesizing and characterizing various kinds of polymeric materials through different Controlled Radical Polymerization techniques such as ATRP (Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization) and RAFT (Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain-Transfer), etc. Currently, he is developing new polymeric membrane materials (mainly of Polysulfone, Polyimide and Polyamide and their derivatives etc.) for different gas separation applications. Besides these, he has authored papers in well-reputed peer reviewed journals such as Macromolecules, Polymer Chemistry and Macromolecular Rapid Communications, in addition to numerous number of conference proceedings/presentations. His major research interests are designing, preparation and characterization of polymeric materials through different techniques for various industrial applictaions.

Dr. Muhammad Ali joined the Center of Research Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT) as a Research Scientist-III in January 2020. He graduated with B.Sc. (Mathematics and Physics) in 2006 and received M.Sc. (Physics) in 2008 from Punjab University, Pakistan. He earned his MS (Physics) from the Physics Department of International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan in 2012. During MS, he worked on the synthesis of cobalt alloy nanowires by electrodeposition in etched ion track nanoporous membranes. In 2013, he won the Chinese Government Scholarship and moved to China to undertake Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials of School of Materials Science and Engineering of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, where he worked on the electronic, magnetic, optical and thermoelectric properties of 2D materials, such as graphene, silicene, germanene, and phosphorene in the framework of density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations. After the completion of Ph.D., he joined the Physics Department of United Arab Emirates University as a postdoctoral fellow in 2017 and worked on gas sensing applications of graphene and zinc oxide nanostructures. His research interests include the theoretical study on quantum dots, nanoribbons, two-dimensional sheets and bulk materials, and their applications in electronics, photonics, spintronics, thermoelectrics and gas-sensors using density functional theory, molecular dynamics and non-equilibrium Green’s function

Dr. Muhammad Ali Ehsan received his Ph.D. degree in Inorganic Material Chemistry from University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia in 2014. He completed his M.Sc and M.Phil degrees in Inorganic/Analytica Chemistry from Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan. During his postdoctoral appointments, he worked at NANOCAT, UM and at CENT KFUPM. Dr. Ali is currently working as Research Scientist-III at CENT. His research interests include the development of advanced nanostructured functional and structural ceramic powders and thin films using state of art techniques such as CVD, Hydrothermal, spark plasma sintering etc. From the application point of view, he is exploring these materials for photocatalysis (H2 production by water splitting), and the catalysis in petroleum and petrochemicals industry. In addition, he is specialized in designing precursors for CVD and has good hands on surface characterization techniques.

Dr. Muhammad Usman joined Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT) as a Research Scientist-III in September 2018. He completed his Bachelor and Master degrees from University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan in 2007 and 2010 respectively. He served in Govt Degree College Shabqadar, Pakistan as a Lecturer in Chemistry (October 2009 to April 2011). He received Ph.D. from Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IPE-CAS), Beijing P. R. China (Sept 2011 to July 2014). Dr. Usman has been Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, P. R. China (November 2014 to June 2016) and Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, KFUPM (Aug 2016 to Aug 2018). Dr. Usman expertise included catalysis, reaction engineering, refining, petrochemicals, COG and CO2 methanation, adsorption kinetics, breakthrough adsorption, membranes, and vacuum technology. Dr. Usman major research duties in CENT-KFUPM in Prof. Omar Yaghi Chair’s programme for Saudi Aramco are to catalyze MOFs for CO2 conversion, Sulphur removal from oil and synthesis of polymers and MOF based membranes for CO2 separation from hydrocarbons. He holds US patents, published in several peer-reviewed international journals in addition to several conference proceedings/presentations.

Dr. Qasem Drmosh is a Research Scientist III at Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT). He received his Ph.D. in Physics from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia in January 2015 under the supervision of Dr. Zain Yamani, CENT Director. Dr. Drmosh research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured materials for gas sensor applications. Dr. Qasem received his master degree from Physics department KFUPM in June 2009. He obtained his Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with honors in physics from IBB University, Yemen in June 2001. Prior to attending KFUPM, he worked as a lecturer from 2002 to 2005 in IBB University (Physics department).

Dr. Shahid is a Research Scientist III at Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT), KFUPM. He earned his M.Sc. (2009) and M.Phil. (2011) degrees in chemistry from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. In 2012, he received distinguished “Marie Currie Research Fellowship” from the European Commission in University of Birmingham, UK. In January 2013, he joined KFUPM as a Ph.D. Scholar in the Department of Chemistry. During his Ph.D. (2013-2017), he utilized his research efforts in the development of Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanomaterials (SPIONs) as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) contrast agents for oil reservoir applications. Upon completion of Ph.D., he joined CENT as a postdoctoral research fellow (March 2018 to August 2019). Dr. Shahid’s work concentrates on development of advanced colloidal nanomaterials, fluorescent quantum dots, MRI & CT contrast agents, drilling and fracturing fluids for enhanced oil recovery applications. He published several peer-reviewed research articles in reputable international journals.

Dr. Khaled Hassanein is currently a postdoc researcher at King Fahd University For Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) within Omar Yaghi Chair Program for CO2 Capture and Utilization. Recently, he has finished his postdoc position, December 2019, as a Marie Curie Fellow with a project entitled: Smart Metal Organic Frameworks for Sensing Volatile Organic Compounds (MSCA-IF-2016)/Grant Agreement number: 751175) at (ISOF) - CNR-Italy. He got his BSc in Chemistry and Physics from Cairo University (2007, Egypt) and a MSc in Nanoscience and Molecular Nanotechnology from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (2013, Spain).Previously, Dr. Hassanein has obtained his PhD within the frame of a FPI, (Formación Personal Investigador) Fellowship funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, from the Inorganic Chemistry department, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, under the supervision of Dr Felix Zamora and Dr Pilar Amo (April 2016). His current and future perspective research activities are focusing in the domain of coordination polymers (CPs) and metal organic frameworks (MOFs), from their synthesis to their applications in diverse strategic fields such as sensing, optoelectronics, gas storage and separation, CO2 capture and Utilization and energy. Dr. Hassanein has co-authored 11 scientific papers (h-index = 7, 160 citations, google scholar) in high quality international first quartile journals, such as Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (impact factor-IF= 12.9), Chem. Comm. (IF= 6.05), Chem. Eur. J.(IF= 5.03), Inorg. Chem.(IF= 4.82), Cryst. Growth Des.(IF= 4.08) and Organic letters (IF =6.72). Besides he has 2 more drafts in preparation. His work has been presented in several International conferences both as poster (11) and as oral presentations (2). In addition, he participated in public events, such as researcher’s night, by making on site experimental shows and giving oral presentation concerning his researches and their impact for society.

Saad Mubarak Alqahtani is a post-doctoral fellow at Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT), KFUPM. He received the B.S. degree in instrumentation and control engineering technology from Jubail Industrial College (JIC), Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 2011, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU), Illinois, USA, in 2013 and 2018, respectively. His research activities focus mainly in the study and design of nano-enabled devices for cost-effective embedded energy saving/harvesting applications such as renewable energy, optoelectronics, and high-performance integrated circuits. He contributed in the development of an atomistic multiscale simulator for studying disk-in-nanowire light emitters and thin-film solar cells. He has extensive experience in coding techniques, high-performance computing and simulation, and applying numerical methods. Currently, he is working in the development of new mechanisms for the usage and harvesting of solar energy.

​Mr. Mohammed Sanhoob is a Lecturer at CENT and Chemical Engineering department. He received his MSc in Chemical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia in 2015. His research focuses on the synthesis and modification of zeolites and their application in petrochemical industries (such as catalytic cracking and steam catalytic cracking of light Naphtha, heavy oil upgrading and MTO).​

Mr. Saleh Almansour is a Scientist II at CENT, KFUPM. He received his MSc in Physics from Western Illinois University, United State in 2014. His research focuses on preparing the evidence from anisotropic penetration depth for a three Dimensional modal superconducting gap in a single-crystalline metals. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree with honors in physics from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia in 2009.

Mr Galal Nasser is a Research Assistant at CENT, KFUPM. He received his MSc in Chemical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in 2017. His research focuses on Synthesis, modification, development and characterization of Nano-particles zeolites for Petrochemical and Refinery industries. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree with honours in Chemical Engineering from KFUPM, Saudi Arabia in 2015.

Mr Idris received his MSc degree in Chemical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia in 2012. He also received his Btech degree from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria in 2008. His research is focused on synthesis of catalysts, especially zeolites and the application of these catalysts in petrochemical application (like MTO, cracking and steam catalytic cracking), adsorption processes, aquathermolysis to mention but few. In addition, he also conducts researches in the synthesis of nanostructured hard metals, composites materials, and light metal using sintering and compaction techniques like SPS, CIP and HIP.

Abdullatif Al-Saeed is an Administrative Assistant for CENT director Dr. Zain Yamani. He graduated from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore with Master of science in Technopreneurship and Innovation. In Addition, He has a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Stanford University, USA. From 2008 to 2013, He worked in Saudi Aramco as a Console Operator.

Mr. Mohammed Alshehri is a laboratory technician at CENT, King Fahd University of petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Taif University.