Dr. Ahmed Mehairi

Ahmed Mehairi is a motivated and accomplished researcher and engineer with a robust background in chemical engineering and a specialization in nanoparticle applications for cement-based systems. Ahmed has a strong aptitude for learning and tackling challenging projects. He holds PhD and BSc degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Calgary and currently working as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Khoshnazar’s research group. His PhD dissertation focused on the innovative use of nanoparticles to enhance the mechanical properties and microstructure of oil well cement slurry and stabilize CO2 /N2 aqueous foams for lightweight foamed concrete production. Ahmed has also a well- rounded industry experience working on a broad range of projects in the areas of operations, optimization, energy consulting, and project engineering. Having held various roles in the industry, his experience has ranged from GHG emissions estimations to supporting the execution of major projects like a $1.3 billion cogeneration project. In addition to Ahmed’s research and industry experience, his teaching roles at the University of Calgary have included serving as a teaching assistant for several engineering and science courses, where he supervised student projects, facilitated classroom discussions, demonstrated experimental procedures, and ensured the safe conduct of laboratory sessions. Ahmed’s multifaceted experience in academia and industry, combined with his innovative research capabilities, highlights his focus on sustainability and scalability in all of his research endeavours.

Dr. Saeid Ghasemalizadeh

Saeid Ghasemalizadeh completed his PhD degree at the University of Calgary specializing in Materials Engineering. His research interests are mainly focused on developing eco-friendly cementitious materials, cement chemistry, concrete microstructure, and the durability of concrete. Saeid holds an MSc degree from Sharif University of Technology, where he studied the durability of rammed earth materials stabilized with Portland cement and alkali-activation technique. During his Ph.D., he collaborated with the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association (CCMPA) to develop low-clinker cement for manufacturing high-strength concrete blocks. Additionally, he was involved in a couple of independent projects studying the feasibility of using some locally available supplementary cementitious materials in concrete.

Almotaseembillah Ahmed

Almotaseembillah Ahmed is an MSc student in the Civil and Material Engineering Department at the University of Calgary, supervised by Dr. Khoshnazar (Civil Engineering) and Dr. Nassar (Chemical Engineering). His research focuses on using bio-based nanomaterials from agricultural waste to develop sustainable and high-performance cementitious mixtures. He holds an MSc in Civil Engineering (Structures and Construction Materials) from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia (2024). During his first master’s, he published seven scientific research papers on using plastic waste and recycled materials in concrete, particularly for structural applications like concrete-filled steel tubes. Almotaseembillah also has two years of experience as a structural design engineer in a consulting Company in Sudan. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Khartoum in 2020.

Mariam Abdelaziz

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Calgary, with a strong foundation in Chemistry. Currently, an RA in the department of chemical engineering working on the synthesis of nanoparticles for innovative applications in cementitious materials and cement-free binders.

Dr. Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain

Dr. Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain is a postdoctoral fellow at the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Calgary (UofC) under Dr. Rahil and Dr. Nassar. In his current research, he tests and models the nano-silica incorporating mortar and concrete for upscaling the research. Moreover, the behavior and uses of geopolymer incorporating with nanoparticles for the construction field. Before joining Dr. Rahil and Dr. Nassar’s group for nanotechnology, he completed his Masters Degree from Yonsei University and PhD. from Kangwon National University in South Korea. His research field in doctoral study was the micro-structural and mechanical behavior of water-repellent mortar and paste. Moreover, he had extensive rheological data analysis and shotcrete technology. In addition, he has almost 5 years of working experience in the cement industry(Lafarge Holcim Cement Bangladesh) and construction company (AML).

Tolulope Falayi.

Tolulope Falayi is a skilled civil engineer with expertise in sustainable design and development. He holds a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Afe Babalola University. His specializations include reinforced concrete design, steel design, construction management, data analytics, and deep learning.

Emmanuel Aboagye

Emmanuel Aboagye is a results-driven Civil Engineering professional with a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary, specializing in Sustainable Infrastructure and the Built Environment. With six years of diverse experience in industrial and research settings, Emmanuel has developed innovative and sustainable solutions for low-volume road and building construction projects. His expertise spans project management, team collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong commitment to advancing sustainable infrastructure practices. Emmanuel has held several key roles, including Senior Engineer at the Ministry of Roads and Highways in Ghana, where he led the review and evaluation of engineering feasibility studies and supervised multiple road construction projects. He has also worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Calgary, contributing to materials testing and the development of optimized mix designs for construction projects. His technical proficiency includes advanced project management, analytical skills, and effective communication, complemented by a solid foundation in Microsoft Office and basic knowledge of Python and R for data analysis. Emmanuel is an active participant in international research projects and a Professional Engineer with the Ghana Institution of Engineers. He is passionate about leveraging his expertise to contribute to the development of resilient and eco-friendly infrastructure.

Affan Zuberi

I am a second-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Calgary, actively engaged in a summer research position. This is my first technical experience, and I am passionate about learning new things every day. I am excited to apply my academic knowledge to real-world problems and dedicated to developing innovative solutions in the field of Civil Engineering.

Dr. Khoshnazar.

My name is Yabsira Dagne, and I am a third-year civil engineering student at the University of Calgary. During my time here, I have joined many clubs and volunteered for many events but have had no previous experience in the industry or research, making this my first time. I am excited to have joined the team as a student researcher, working in the lab to test the various properties of lab and field samples.

Shanjida Khan

Shanjida Khan is an M.Sc. student under the supervision of Dr. Rahil Khoshnazar starting May 2023. Her research involves exploring several locally available cement alternatives and comparing them in terms of their microstructure, mechanical performance, and environmental impacts. With extensive experience as a Geotechnical Engineer-in-Training at Stantec and a Geotechnical Engineering Co-op Student at Suncor, she has an understanding of material properties and testing methods which are critical for concrete technologies. Shanjida actively contributes at the Schulich School of Engineering through research and education in civil engineering through her role as a Teaching Assistant during the Fall and Winter semesters. She is also committed to community service and volunteering with organizations such as Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Robogals UCalgary, and Alberta Health Services. Shanjida is passionate about sustainability and integration of various engineering disciplines and seeks innovative solutions and opportunities to bridge gaps.

Roozbeh Mowlaei

Roozbeh Mowlaei is an M.Sc. student of Civil Engineering at the University of Calgary with a specialization in construction materials engineering. Under the supervision of Dr. Khoshnazar and Dr. Nassar, he aims to investigate the effect of surface modification of nanoparticles on the properties of cementitious mixtures.

Pegah Farjad.

Pegah Farjad is currently enrolled as an MSc. student in Civil and Material Engineering Department at the University of Calgary, supervised by Dr.Khoshnazar from Civil Engineering and Dr. Nassar from Chemical Engineering. She also has the Msc degree in chemical engineering from the Amirkabir University of Iran. Her project was modeling the acidizing process of oil wellbore. She has 6 years of professional work experience in the industry. She is interested in eco-friendly materials with less GHG emissions. Currently, she is working on the usage of nano-silica in cementitious mixtures and investigating its effect on these mixtures.

Ali Teymouri

Ali Teymouri is a PhD candidate in Civil Engineering specializing in Materials Engineering at the University of Calgary. His research centers around the incorporation of carbon-based nanomaterials in cementitious mixtures to enhance their performance and reduce their environmental impact. He
completed his BSc at Iran University of Science and Technology.

Alireza Haji Hossein.

Alireza Haji Hossein completed his BSc at Iran University of Science and Technology. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Dr. Khoshnazar. His research focuses on multifunctional cementitious composites with novel properties for pavement deicing and structural health monitoring. He also pays a great degree of attention to the environmental impacts when designing such materials. Mr. Haji Hossein is currently a student member in American Concrete Institute (ACI) and has published his research in high impact scientific journals and presented in prestigious conference proceedings.

Dr. Khoshnazar

Dr. Khoshnazar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and a Schulich School of Engineering Research Chair in innovative concrete materials for sustainable cities at the University of Calgary. She holds a PhD degree in civil engineering from the University of Ottawa and MSc and BSc degrees from the University of Tehran. She has been a Visiting Researcher at the National Research Council Canada in Ottawa from 2011 to 2014, and has completed an NSERC-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship at McGill University prior to joining the University of Calgary in 2017. She has supervised over 15 students, and leads a large number of research projects at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Khoshnazar.

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