Abdul Rahman Mohamed | Nanotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed | Nanotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Professor in Catalysis & Reaction Engineering at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed is a distinguished chemical engineering scholar and visionary academic leader, currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). With a Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire, his research spans nanotechnology, catalysis, fuel technology, and environmental engineering. Over a career spanning three decades, he has held multiple high-impact roles including Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research & Innovation and Director of several national-industry collaborations such as CREST. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK), as well as a Chartered Engineer. Professor Rahman has received numerous national and international accolades, including the Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher Award (2018, 2019, 2021), multiple gold medals in global invention fairs, and prestigious state honors for his service to science and education. Renowned for his contributions to both academic excellence and innovation, he stands as one of Malaysia’s most impactful researchers and science policy advocates.

Professional Profile 

🎓 Education of Professor Abdul Rahman Mohamed

Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed possesses a strong academic foundation in chemical engineering, having earned all his degrees from prestigious institutions in the United States. He obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 1993 and Master’s degree in 1989 from the University of New Hampshire, where he also served as a highly recognized Graduate Teaching Assistant. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1986. This robust educational background laid the groundwork for his distinguished career in research, innovation, and academic leadership.

💼 Professional Experience of Professor Abdul Rahman Mohamed

Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed has built an illustrious professional career rooted in academia, research, and institutional leadership. Beginning as a Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 1993, he steadily rose through the ranks to become a full Professor in 2004. He has held several key leadership roles, including Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering, Director of Industry Collaborative Centres, and Head of CREST, a national platform for industry-academic research collaboration. He served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation and is currently the Vice-Chancellor of USM, a testament to his exceptional administrative acumen. His career reflects a deep commitment to fostering academic excellence, driving innovation, and building bridges between academia and industry, both nationally and internationally.

🔬 Research Interests of Professor Abdul Rahman Mohamed

Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed’s research interests lie at the intersection of advanced engineering and environmental sustainability. His core focus areas include nanoscience and nanotechnology, reaction engineering and catalysis, fuel technology, and air pollution and wastewater control engineering. He has significantly contributed to developing innovative catalytic systems and clean energy solutions, addressing global challenges related to energy efficiency and environmental protection. His work is characterized by interdisciplinary approaches that integrate chemical engineering principles with cutting-edge technologies, positioning him as a leading figure in sustainable process engineering and green technology development.

🏅 Awards and Honors of Professor Abdul Rahman Mohamed

Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his exceptional contributions to science, innovation, and academia. Nationally, he has been conferred multiple state honors such as the Johan Mangku Negara (J.M.N.), Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri, and Tokoh Pendidikan Maal Hijrah for his service to education and research. Internationally, he has earned Gold Medals at global innovation fairs including the Geneva International Exhibition, Seoul International Invention Fair, and IENA Germany, along with special prizes for technical creativity. He is a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2018, 2019, 2021), and recipient of the Top Research Scientists Malaysia title. His accolades also include university-level awards such as the Sanggar Sanjung Award and Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang, reflecting sustained excellence in research, innovation, and academic leadership across multiple domains.

📚 Publications

1.Optimization of MILD chamber design for combustion of producer gas from biomass gasification

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2025
  • Citations: 0

2. Optimized glycerol-based organosolv pretreatment for lignin removal: Enhancing sawdust pyrolysis efficiency and bio‑oil properties

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2025
  • Citations: 0

3. Recent advances in hydrogen production by solar photoreforming of plastic feedstocks using nanocatalytic materials: A review

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2025
  • Citations: 0

4. Integration of SnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles onto BiOBr nanosheets to form a new 0D/2D Z‑scheme nanocomposite for ameliorating synchronous visible light photocatalytic eradication of organic pollutants and Cr(VI) in wastewater

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2025
  • Citations: 0

5. Construction of Fe₃O₄/ZnO heterostructure photocatalysts derived from Fe‑doped ZIF‑8 for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline and hydrogen peroxide production

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2025
  • Citations: 0

6. Synthesis of ultrasonicated amine‑functionalized MgO‑deposited empty fruit bunch (EFB)‑derived biochar for CO₂ adsorption

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2025
  • Citations: 2

7. Development of carbon dots from lignocellulose oil palm wastes: A potential CO₂ adsorbent (Conference Paper)

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2025
  • Citations: 0

8. An investigation on sequential ultrasonication and metal modification of biochar on its CO₂ capture performance

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2024
  • Citations: 9

9. One‑pot synthesis of regenerative calcium counterions from waste chicken eggshells for SO₂‑to‑sulfur reduction

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2024
  • Citations: 4

10. Synergistic effect of dual phase cocatalysts: MoC‑Mo₂C quantum dots anchored on g‑C₃N₄ for high‑stability photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

  • Authors: Not specified
  • Year: 2024
  • Citations: 12

Jessica PONTI | Nanotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Jessica PONTI | Nanotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Dr Jessica PONTI, European Commission-Joint Research Centre-Ispra-Italy, Italy

Dr. Jessica Ponti is a researcher at the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy 🇪🇺🔬. She earned her Biology degree from the University of Insubria (2001) 🎓🇮🇹, a Master’s in Genetics from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2004) 🇪🇸🧬, and a Ph.D. in Science from the Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix-Namur (2009) 🇧🇪📚. Her expertise includes in vitro systems for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and nanomaterials 🧪🦠. Since 2015, she has led the TEM and Cryo-TEM facility 🏅🔍. Her research focuses on nanoplastics, their detection in complex matrices, and interactions with biological systems 🌍🛠️.

Publication Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education & Academic Journey

Dr. Jessica Ponti is a dedicated researcher at the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy 🇪🇺. She earned her Biology Degree 🎓 from the University of Insubria, Italy, in 2001, followed by a Master’s in Genetics 🧬 from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, in 2004. Her academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Science 🔬 from the Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix-Namur, Belgium, in 2009. With a strong background in genetics and scientific research, she contributes significantly to advancing knowledge and innovation in her field 🌍📚.

Professional Experience 

Dr. Jessica Ponti has been a dedicated researcher at JRC Ispra since 2000, officially becoming a researcher in 2006 🔬. Her expertise lies in cutting-edge in vitro 🧫 studies, focusing on cytotoxicity ☠️, neoplastic transformation 🧬, genotoxicity 🧻, and nanomaterial interactions 🏗️. With a deep commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, she explores the effects of various substances at the cellular level, contributing to safer materials and medical applications. Her research plays a crucial role in understanding potential health risks, paving the way for innovative solutions in nanotechnology and toxicology 🏥⚛️.

🧪 Research & Specialization 

Dr. Jessica Ponti has been overseeing the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Cryo-TEM facility since 2015 🖥️. Her research focuses on the physicochemical characterization of nanomaterials 🏗️, with a particular emphasis on nanoplastics 🌱. She is dedicated to developing advanced detection methods in complex matrices 🔬 and investigating their interactions with biological systems 🏥. Through her expertise, Dr. Ponti contributes to understanding the impact of nanomaterials on health and the environment 🌍. Her work plays a crucial role in advancing nanotechnology and ensuring the safe application of these materials in various scientific and medical fields 🏅.

Research Focus

Dr. Jessica Ponti’s research focuses on microplastic and nanoplastic contamination, bioaccumulation, and toxicological effects in environmental and biological systems. 🌍🔬 Her work includes detecting microplastics in drinking water 🚰, analyzing nanoplastics in freshwater organisms 🐟, and evaluating microplastic contamination in commercial insect meals 🦗. She also explores the sublethal effects of nano-sized plastics on aquatic species 🦐 and investigates the behavior of food-grade nanoparticles in human digestion 🍽️. Through advanced analytical techniques, she contributes to understanding the environmental and health risks of micro- and nanoplastics, aiding in pollution assessment and regulatory measures. ⚠️📊

Publication Top Notes

  • Representative Test Material for Validation of Density Separation as Part of Microplastic Quantification in Drinking Water (🔬💧) – Polymers, 2025 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • Exploring Nanoplastics Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Organisms: A Study Using Gold-Doped Polymeric Nanoparticles (🐠🔍) – Nanomaterials, 2025 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • Detection of Microplastic Contamination in Commercial Insect Meals (🦗🔬) – Environments, 2024 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • Microplastic Contamination in Commercial Insect Meal: A Valid Analytical Method to Detect It (🍽️🔬) – Preprint, 2024 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • Sublethal Effects Induced by Different Plastic Nano-Sized Particles in Daphnia Magna at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations (🦐⚠️) – Environmental Pollution, 2024 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • Agglomeration Behavior and Fate of Food-Grade Titanium Dioxide in Human Gastrointestinal Digestion and in the Lysosomal Environment (🍴⚗️) – Nanomaterials, 2023 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • Investigating the Cellular Uptake of Model Nanoplastics by Single-Cell ICP-MS (🧫🔬) – Nanomaterials, 2023 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • Protein-Corona Formation on Aluminum Doped Zinc Oxide and Gallium Nitride Nanoparticles (🧬⚛️) – Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials, 2022 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • Efficacy, Biocompatibility, and Degradability of Carbon Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy of Lung Cancer (🫁🔥) – Nanomedicine, 2021 📄 [Cited by: TBD]
  • 44Ti Diffusion Labelling of Commercially Available, Engineered TiO2 and SiO2 Nanoparticles (🔬🧪) – Journal & Year: TBD 📄 [Cited by: TBD]