Dr. Abdulaziz Alasiri | Mechanical Engineering | Best Researcher Award
Doctorate at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University | Saudi Arabia
Professional Profile
🎓 Academic Background
Dr. Abdulaziz Alasiri holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University, Pennsylvania, USA (May 2021). His dissertation, titled “Computational Study of Seawater Desalination Using Hollow Fiber Vacuum Membrane Distillation”, focused on optimizing desalination technologies through computational modeling. He earned his M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Akron, Ohio, USA (May 2017), and his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from King Khalid University, Abha, KSA (May 2011).
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Alasiri’s research centers on numerical modeling and analysis of membrane distillation technologies for seawater desalination, with a strong emphasis on integrating clean energy solutions. His work spans several critical areas, including:
Renewable energy applications to improve engineering efficiency.
Energy storage innovations to support sustainable systems.
Advanced desalination technologies for freshwater generation.
Nanofluid applications to enhance thermal and fluid processes.
🧪 Research Contributions
At Lehigh University (2017–2021), Dr. Alasiri led a research group investigating vacuum membrane distillation modules for seawater desalination. He developed computational models validated through experimental studies to enhance system performance. Utilizing tools such as OpenFOAM, ANSYS, and COMSOL, he performed complex CFD analyses and worked on coupling computational governing equations to optimize membrane distillation.
💰 Research Grants and Proposals
Dr. Alasiri has successfully secured funding to advance his research:
In 2023, he received a 120,000 SAR grant from Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud University (IMISU) to improve membrane technology for desalination.
From 2021 to 2023, he served as Co-Principal Investigator on projects totaling 350,000 SAR.
He has also submitted three project proposals in 2023, which are currently under review.
📚 Teaching Excellence
Dr. Alasiri is a dedicated educator, contributing to both undergraduate and graduate programs at IMISU and Lehigh University. At IMISU, he has taught courses such as Fluid Mechanics (ME 222), Numerical Methods (GE 301), and Thermodynamics I (ME 221), while at Lehigh University, he taught Strength of Materials (MECH-012). His experience as a Teaching Assistant further reflects his commitment to academic mentorship.
🛠️ Leadership and Administrative Roles
As the Chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department at IMISU (2023–Present), Dr. Alasiri plays a pivotal role in fostering academic and research excellence. He leads several committees, including:
Scientific Research Committee
Development and Quality Committee
Industrial Advisory Council
Engineering Training Committee (2021–2023)
🌐 Industry and Conference Participation
Dr. Alasiri actively engages with the engineering community through participation in prestigious conferences, such as the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE) in 2018 and the ASME 2020 Heat Transfer Summer Conference. These engagements allow him to stay at the forefront of global innovations in mechanical engineering.