Dr. Mohammed Zahir Al Abri, the Associate Professor of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)’s Engineering College, won the first edition of the GCC Water Innovation Prize.

Al Abri, who is also the Director of the Nanotechnology Research Centre at the SQU, was awarded the prize for his research on safe water management using enhancing nanofibres.

He was conferred with the trophy at the conclusion of the 5th Arab Water Forum held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The GCC Water Innovation contest was first announced in 2020 to encourage innovation and creativity in researching nontraditional water resources.

Dr. Mohammed Zahir Al-Abri is an Associate Professor in the Petroleum & Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering at SQU.

In addition to his academic position, he is the Director of the Nanotechnology Research Center at the SQU. He completed all his tertiary education at the University of Nottingham (UK) from 2003-2007.

His work revolves around cutting-edge research in water treatment, membrane technology, and environmental engineering including applications of nanotechnology in water and petroleum industries.

Dr. Al-Abri has several major research projects in different areas of water treatment and desalination, nanotechnology for environmental and renewable energy applications, and membrane technology.

He also has more than 32 international journal papers, 27 international conferences, 15 technical reports, and three book chapters.