Dr. Mohammed Al Abri

Director Nanotechnology Research Center Associate Professor College of Engineering - Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)

Dr. Mohammed Zahir Al-Abri is an Associate Professor in Petroleum & Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. In addition to his academic position, he is the Founder and Director of Nanotechnology Research Center, SQU. He completed all his tertiary education from University of Nottingham (UK) from 2003-2007. His major interest lies in cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, water treatment, hydrogen production, membrane technology and environmental engineering including applications of nanotechnology in water and petroleum industries. Dr. Al-Abri has more than 30 major research projects in different areas of water treatment and desalination, nanotechnology\ for environmental and renewable energy applications, and membrane technology. He has more than 85 international journal papers, 30 international conferences, 25 technical reports, 4 patent applications and 3 book chapters. Dr. Al-Abri is a member of a number of international editorial boards including being a Topic Editor in “Membranes: MDPI Journal. He organized and co-organized several international conferences in nanotechnology and water treatment.

Ashraf Aly Hassan

Associate Professor United Arab Emirates University

Dr. Ashraf Aly Hassan, currently holding the position of associate professor at UAE University. Formerly, he served as a faculty member at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and played pivotal roles in the industry, serving as a senior process engineer and R&D team leader at BioAir Solutions. Dr. Aly Hassan completed his Ph.D. at the University of Cincinnati, followed by a three-year tenure as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Risk Management Research Laboratory of the US EPA. His educational background includes a master's degree from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Cairo University. Dr. Aly Hassan's scholarly impact is evident through the publication of 100 Scopus-indexed peer-reviewed articles, yielding an H-Index of 23 and accumulating over 2000 citations. Throughout his academic career, he successfully secured over 2 million USD in research grants in both the USA and UAE. Dr. Aly Hassan leads a dynamic research group with a focus on various areas, including biodesalination, biohydrogen production, biological treatment of diverse pollutants, and the fate and transport of nanoparticles.

Prof. Dr. Frank Lipnizki

Professor in Chemical Engineering Lund University

Dr. Abdelnasser Mabrouk

Director of Water and Energy Systems Gulf Core Company

I am highly motivated and have a solid academic and industry background (more than 25 years) in membrane/thermal desalination technology development. I would make a valuable addition to the innovative R&D landscape. I have contributed and participated in active R&D-based academic and industry firms to minimize the environmental impact of desalination plants' brine blowdown via innovative technology and sustainability solutions. I have several patent ideas for membrane and thermal brine concentration technology for salt production. This direction's strategic benefit is encouraging technology localization and opening a new market out of brine mining/crystallization. Brine mining would provide the local market with precious minerals. It would give the Gas and Oil field industry wet salts required for intermediate transformation technology, such as polymers and Chlor-Alkali, to maintain Mud composition and characterization.

Saif Al Ghafri

Businiess Unit Head Oman AcwaPower

Saif Ali Al-Ghafri is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in the power and water sector, specializing in Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) and desalination plant operations. As the Operations Head at ACWA Power, Saif has been instrumental in driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability within the organization. He is highly motivated and ambitious, possessing excellent management skills and a proven track record of working effectively in global and multicultural environments. Saif has led numerous initiatives to enhance plant reliability, optimize performance, and address technical challenges across multiple sites in Oman and beyond. His expertise extends to advanced desalination technologies, particularly Reverse Osmosis (RO), where he has championed the adoption of next-generation membrane technologies and digital solutions to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. Saif holds a strategic vision for the future of desalination and power industries, fostering collaborations between research entities and industry leaders. His contributions are widely recognized in the industry, and he actively participates in international forums to share knowledge and drive progress in sustainable water and energy solutions.

Dr. Buthaina Mahfoud Al Wahaibi

Head of Research, Development and Innovation Nama Water Services

Interested in scientific research, she has won many awards in the field of innovation. She believes in the importance of the role of research in finding innovative and sustainable solutions in the industrial field. Dr. Buthaina is a specialized engineer. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemical and process engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in 2010. She joined after graduation. Directly in the field of work as the first treatment process engineer in Nama Group as a result of her keenness to expand and go deeper in her field, she completed her scientific career to obtain a master’s degree and a doctorate in environmental engineering, specializing in water treatment processes. Thanks to the extensive knowledge she possesses in this specialty, she was able to progress smoothly through the career ladder and held several positions, including: Head of the Process Engineering Department, and she currently holds the position of Head of the Research, Development, Innovation and Sustainability Center. Dr. Buthaina works alongside the research, development, innovation and sustainability team at Nama Water Services to develop the technical and technical aspects to achieve the sector’s sustainability by searching for effective alternative solutions in terms of technology and treatment cost, improving and developing the performance of existing operational assets to increase efficiency, in addition to testing And evaluate technologies by testing their products and suppliers’ services. In her capacity as head of the Center for Research, Development, Innovation and Sustainability. Dr. Buthaina follows up the performance of carbon reduction and sustainability projects, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and employing the green circular economy, such as utilizing treated water in hydrogen production, converting sludge into energy, and extracting carbon dioxide, and represents the company in international conferences and activities to highlight the company’s role.

Hawraa Al Zadjali

Project Engineer Marafiq

Hawraa Al Zadjali is a highly accomplished professional in the field of chemical and process engineering, with five years of dedicated experience. She graduated with a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in 2018, demonstrating a strong academic foundation in her discipline. In 2019, Ms. Al Zadjali commenced her career at Marafiq as a Process Engineer, where she contributed significantly to the operations of the DPC plant. In 2020, she transitioned to the water team, further showcasing her versatility and commitment to operational excellence. Her exemplary performance and unwavering dedication were recognized in 2023 with her promotion to Project Engineer. In this capacity, Ms. Al Zadjali continues to play a pivotal role in driving engineering innovation and delivering impactful projects.

Nicolas Le Goff

Chief Operating Officer Veolia

Nicolas Le Goff is a seasoned executive with over 28 years of experience in the water and environmental services industry. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at VEOLIA in Oman, he oversees operations across the country. His responsibilities span water desalination, wastewater treatment, waste management and hazardous waste. Throughout his career at VEOLIA, Nicolas has worked in various roles across more than 20 countries including Oman, Gabon, and France. His expertise includes operation management, water quality improvement, emergency response and digital transformation. Notable achievements include implementing regional performance plans, managing large-scale water and wastewater contracts, and developing national water improvement strategies. Nicolas holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science from AgroParisTech and a Bachelor's degree in Urban and Rural Water Management from ENGEES. His commitment tohumanitarian causes is evidenced by his role as a volunteer Emergency Response Unit WASH member with the French Red Cross and the VEOLIA Foundation. Based in Muscat, Oman, Nicolas is 49 years old.