Plenary Speakers

 Mohamed AZAROUAL obtained his Ph.D. in Reactive Geochemistry from the Institute of Earth Physics of Paris - University René Diderot, Paris 7, in 1993, focusing on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) technologies. He successfully defended his HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) in December 2014 on "Multiphase Reactive Transport Processes in Hydrogeosystems for Geo-Resources and Environmental Challenges" at the University of Orléans (France).

Currently, he serves as the Deputy Director of ISTO (Institute of Earth Sciences of Orléans) at the Orléans University. His scientific interests encompass aspects of reactive transport modeling and mass and heat transfers between phases (water -gas-rock-microorganisms) in complex hydrogeological systems, including high temperature, high pressure, and high salinity conditions, for geo-resources (water, energy, etc.), underground uses (CO2 storage, energy vectors), as well as environmental challenges. He has authored more than 60 A-ranked articles and delivered over 250 presentations at international conferences. He is a faculty member at INSA - Bourges Engineering School (National Institute of Applied Sciences) and has (co)supervised over than 20 doctoral theses.

Mohamed Azaroual has developed and managed R&D projects for the ANR (National Research Agency) in Europe, with active international scientific collaborations (USA, China, Morocco, Japan, Australia, etc.). He has initiated research projects in partnership with industrial and private companies (e.g., TOTAL, ENGIE, VEOLIA, SUEZ, VATTENFAL, OCP, Mitsubishi, BP, Shell, etc.). Since 2007, he has been the scientific coordinator of the BRGM - LBNL partnership, marked by the signing of four successive Memoranda of Understanding.

Currently, Mohamed Azaroual is the scientific coordinator of the O-ZNS Observatory (https://plateformes-pivots.eu/o-zns/?lang=en), focusing on reactive transfers in the unsaturated zone of carbonate aquifers in the Beauce aquifer (Centre Val de Loire, France).

 Abdelilah Benyoussef received his “Doctorat d’état” degree from the Paris-Sud University in 1983. He is a permanent member of the Moroccan Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, since 2006. He is National coordinator of the Competences Pole of Condensed Matter and Systems Modeling. He is also editor in chief of the Moroccan Journal of Condensed Matter. He is President of the Moroccan Society of Statistical Physics and Condensed Matter. The main interest topics of Abdelilah Benyoussef are Ab initio calculation and Monte carlo method in modeling and simulation of new materials and nanomaterials for renewable energy; Magnetism and phase transition in condensed matter; complex systems and critical self-organization in statistical physics. He is a co-author of more than 600 research publications and book chapters and about 100 conference presentations including numerous invited papers and talks. He has co-chaired or co-organized several international conferences. He holds a number of patents and supervised 40 postgraduate research candidates.

 Dr. Rachid Mabrouk a seasoned professional with significant international expertise in Hydrogen, Synthesis gas technologies and downstream applications. Dr. Mabrouk, have produced and presented several communications, scientific papers and hold several patents (ten plus) in fields related to chemical processes electrification and intensification.

 Dr. Mabrouk, area of expertise include technology solutions, problen resolution; data analaysis, continuous process improvement and enehnacment; and operational excellency. He spans various roles in the energy and chemical engineering sectors. He held various positions at ADNOC, Linde Group, Haldor Topsoe, DuPont and other organizations, showcasing a diverse and extensive career. Overseing technical concept development,conducting techno-economic feasibility studies, managing Industrial gas production remote operations center, and leading various engineering and research projects. Additionally, Dr. Mabrouk been involved in consultancy projects for well-known companies suc as Total A/S, Exxon Mobil, and Enviromondial Inc, among others.

 Dr. Mabrouk holds a PhD. In chemical engineering from Ecole Polytechnique of Montreal and completed a Master at the Mohammadia Engineering School, Rabat.

 Abdelghafour Zaabout is an Associate Professor at University Mohamed 6 Polytechnic (UM6P). Hehas over a decade of expertise in decarbonization and energy transition,developing highly efficient and cost-effective technologies for decarbonization of the industrial, energy, and hydrogen sectors. Prior to joining UM6P, he worked jointly as a Senior Scientist at SINTEF Industry in Norway, and as an affiliate Prof. at UM6P. He received his Ph.D. from Aix Marseille University before starting a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Eindhoven University of Technology. Throughout the last decade, he served as a key driver in the demonstration of several CO₂ capture and low carbon hydrogen production technologies, in the framework of different Norwegian, EU funded, and direct industrial projects. Prof. Zaabout co-authored nearly 60 peer-reviewed journal papers & several patents, as well as co-supervised dozens of students combining Ph.D. students, postdocs, and graduates. He participated as a panelist at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh in a UN official session on CCUS for Africa, he chaired key sessions in several international conferences (e.g., GHGT 16, Int. Conference on Fluidization), and lectured in many decarbonization-related events.

Dr. Jamal Chaouki is a full professor at Polytechnique, Montréal, Canada. He is also the director of the Biorefinery Center and a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. He has supervised more than 120 researchers. He published more than 400 reviewed articles in refereed journals and in different reviewed proceedings, and more than 450 other scientific articles as well as edited 6 books. He has more than 22 patents on different processes. He is now editor of the Chemical Product and Process Modeling Journal. He is also the director of the Biorefinery Center and a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. He has co-chaired 10 International Conferences including the 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering 2009, where he has acted as technical director. He is also a member of the 10th World CChE 2017, and he was the president of the Fluidization 15th Int. Conf. He is now supervising 30 researchers (15 Ph.Ds, 5 PDFs, 5 MScA, 4 research associates and 1 researcher). He is a member of the Board of the Ecole Polytechnique and several companies. He is a world-renowned consultant for at least 20 national and international companies. He has created 6 start-ups with his students: Formmat Tech. Inc., Shopmedia Inc., Pyrowave Inc, Ecolomondo, RMTech and GoldRecyc. He is Principal Chair Holder of NSREC-Total Group in hydrodynamic modeling of multiphase processes at extreme conditions. His work is mainly dedicated to develop processes from waste, biomass and complex feedstocks to heat & power, fuels and chemicals.

 Dr. Mounir EL ACHABY is an Associate Professor of Materials Science at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). He earned his Ph.D. in Polymer Engineering and Materials & Nanomaterials Physics in October 2012 from the Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), in collaboration with Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco. His doctoral research focused on the development of novel nanocomposite materials based on graphene derivatives and thermoplastic polymers for advanced applications. Following the completion of his Ph.D., Dr. EL ACHABY worked as a Scientific Researcher at MAScIR from October 2012 to December 2014. He joined the Materials Science, Energy, and Nanoengineering (MSN) Department at UM6P in 2015 as an Assistant Professor. During this period, he was also a Visiting Professor at INRA-UMR IATE in Montpellier, France, from June to December 2016. In recognition of his significant contributions to the field, he was promoted to Associate Professor at UM6P in January 2019. Dr. EL ACHABY has been consistently recognized for his research excellence, being named among the world’s top 2% of scientists according to the Stanford University study published in PLOS Biology for four consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023). He serves as an Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Fibers and Polymer Composites and the Journal of Applied Agricultural Science and Technology.

To date, Dr. EL ACHABY has authored and co-authored over 170 scientific articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, and technical reports. He is also the holder of 6 patents. His research has garnered significant impact, reflected in an H-index of 42 and an i10-index of 86 (according to Google Scholar). Currently, his research is primarily focused on three key areas: 1) Development of biopolymeric coating formulations for slow-release fertilizers, 2) Creation of biopolymer-based hydrogels for enhancing soil water retention, and 3) Valorization of lignocellulosic biomass to produce hard carbon materials for energy storage, wastewater treatment, and sustainable biomaterials for paper and food packaging.