Dr. Shiva Mohajernia is a Research Chair and Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Calgary, Canada. Prior to joining the University of Calgary, she served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta. Earlier in her career, she held the position of Catalysis Group Leader at the Chemistry and Structure of Novel Materials Institute in Germany. She earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering in 2020 from the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, Germany. She was a visiting scholar with the Nanomaterial Catalysts for Sustainable Energy Technologies research group at McMaster University, Canada. She completed her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Tehran and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, respectively, in Iran. She has demonstrated strong research leadership by attracting substantial industrial and competitive research funding, including major awards from Alberta Innovates, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and other national and international funding agencies. Her research excellence has been recognized through several prestigious honors, including the 2022 Catalysts Award, the 2020 International Society of Electrochemistry Award, and the 2025 Electrochemical Society Award. In recognition of her research impact and leadership potential, Dr. Mohajernia was nominated for a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 position by both the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary in 2025. She elected to continue with the CRC Tier 2 nomination at the University of Calgary.

shiva.mohajernia@ucalgary.ca mohajernia@ualberta.ca

I obtained my Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology in 2024. During my doctoral studies, I worked on nickel-based nanostructures modified with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to develop efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. I then joined Sharif University of Technology as a postdoctoral researcher, where I focused on electrochemical nitrate reduction using copper- and iron-based oxide electrocatalysts. Currently, my primary research in the NRGMATs group centers on nanostructured catalysts and electrochemical systems for sustainable energy applications.

hshoosht@ualberta.ca

I grew up in Muscat, Oman where I studied Chemical and Process Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University. My first venture during undergrad into research started with synthesis of carbon nanotubes from date palm stems and their characterization. I started my studies at the University of Alberta in September 2022 as an MSc student prior to switching to the PhD program and joining NRGMATs, where I am studying the fabrication of hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. Outside of work I enjoy reading books and painting.

usuliman@ualberta.ca

I am a Libyan Canadian who spent half my life in Qatar. I obtained my B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Chemical engineering from Texas A&M University. Following that, I worked for a year as a research assistant at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI). My previous work included a mixture of computational and experimental work where I worked on organic photovoltaics, designing carbon neutral industrial parks, designing and modeling reactors for photocatalytic hydrogen production, as well as modeling microkinetics of pipe corrosion. My current work focuses on studying how electrochemical techniques impact glycerol oxidation systems using known electro-catalysts.

taha.kubbar@ucalgary.ca kubbar@ualberta.ca

I grew up in Tehran and completed my Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology, where I worked on fabricating Zein-Cellulose Acetate Nanofibers using the electrospinning method. I have always been passionate about contributing to environmental sustainability and addressing environmental challenges, which led me to pursue a Master's degree as a member of the NRGMATs group at the University of Alberta, where my research focuses on the nanofabrication of electrocatalysts using the sputtering method to advance water splitting technologies for hydrogen generation.

hajialig@ualberta.ca

I obtained my BE in 2025 from my home country, Lebanon, at the American University of Beirut. During my undergraduate years, I conducted research on carbon capture, catalysis for hydrogen production, and on stabilizing nanostructured catalysts for gas emission control. I joined the NRGMATs group in fall 2025 and I look forward to working on helping protect our planet through advancing cleaner energy production methods.

nour.tormos@ucalgary.ca tormos@ualberta.ca

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics from the University of Tehran and my Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Alberta. My research background focuses on the fabrication and characterization of solar cells and lithium-ion batteries, driven by a strong passion for sustainable and clean energy technologies. I am excited to join the NRGMATs to contribute to advancing energy materials and catalysis research, particularly in the field of hydrogen and renewable energy conversion.

eghadirz@ualberta.ca

I am currently in my final year of my Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta. Being in Alberta, much of my degree has naturally included a strong focus on materials applications in the oil and gas industry, which has motivated me to find cleaner alternatives and pursue an interest in clean energy systems. I am particularly interested in electrochemistry, and I have found that clean energy systems provide a way to apply these concepts while also contributing to sustainability. Through my work with NRGMATs, I am looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in energy materials and contributing to research that supports more sustainable solutions.

catherine.mackenzie@ucalgary.ca