Members

Pr. Otman ABIDA

50Expert in wastewater treatment, Desalination, Advanced water treatment process, Nanotechnology, UV-LED technology and photocatalysis.

Otman Abida is an Assistant Professor at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco). He earned his B.Sc. degree in Chemistry in 2001 at the University of Chouiab Doukali and his MSc in 2003 in Materials Science, as well as his PhD in Environmental Chemistry in 2006 at the University of Blaise Pascal (France). From 2008 to 2015, he worked as a Post-doctoral fellow in Nanomaterial Engineering at J.Heyrovsky of Physical Chemistry Institute (Czech Republic), Chemistry Department at the University of Calgary (Canada), Wadsworth Center at the State University of New York (USA), and as a Scientist Researcher in the RECETOX Center at Masaryk University (Czech Republic). Between 2015 and 2017, he served as a visiting professor of chemistry at Sultan Qaboos University (Oman). From 2017 to 2019, he held the position of Scientist/Manager of the Laboratory of Environmental Engineering at Civil Engineering Department of the University of British Columbia (Canada). Between 2019 and 2023, Dr. Abida held the position of Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the Engineering College Department at the American University of the Middle East (Affiliated with Prude University) in Kuwait.

Dr. Abida has an impressive publication record with over 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers covering a wide range of topics. These include research on Advanced Oxidation Process wastewater treatment, synthesis of new membrane nanomaterials for desalination, waste management, sustainable development, photocatalysis, photochemistry of iron in water, the fate of organic and inorganic pollutants in the environment, synthesis of new photocatalyst materials and nanosorbents materials for wastewater and soil remediation, as well as studies on the kinetics and mechanisms of organic emergent pollutants.

His research interests are focused on sustainable development, circular development, environmental issues, AOP wastewater treatment, developing new nanomaterials for wastewater treatment and desalination, designing sustainable approaches for desalination and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and the removal of emergent contaminants such as PFOS and PFAS using sustainable and green technology, particularly photocatalysis.

Pr. Mohamed Essalhi

Pr. Mohamed Essalhi graduated from Abdelmalek Essaadi University in Morocco in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and in 2007 with a Master of Science in Energy Systems and Materials. He continued his education with a second master's degree in Renewable Energy Applications and a Ph.D. in Applied Physics, specializing in Membranes and Renewable Energy. Supported by the Middle East Desalination Research Center Scholarship, he obtained these degrees in 2010 and 2014 from the Faculty of Physical Sciences, UCM, Spain. Dr Essalhi’s master’s research focused on the improvement of energy efficiency in solar reverse osmosis desalination systems.

His doctoral research resulted in the development of innovative desalination membranes, including polymeric nanofibrous, microfibrous, and hollow-fibrous membranes, using membrane distillation technology. He received an Extraordinary Ph.D. Award for his work during this period, which spanned various fields such as membrane engineering, nanotechnology, water treatment, desalination and renewable energy.

Since 2019, Dr Essalhi has been employed as a postdoctoral researcher at the Chemical Biological Centre (KBC), Department of Chemistry, Umeå University in Sweden. This role, funded by the Kempe Foundation, involves advanced projects in membrane engineering, nanotechnology, desalination, energy production, and storage.

In 2021, he was appointed Senior Research Engineer. He is leading a project funded by the Swedish Energy Agency. This project aims to use the Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) membrane process to extract Blue Energy from various water sources in Sweden.

Over the past 13 years, Dr Essalhi has made significant contributions to his field. He has authored or co-authored 23 research papers, and 5 book chapters, and participated in 13 research projects. His current research interests include the development of nanofibrous membranes, solar-powered water treatment systems, green solvents, and additives for next-generation membranes, and the exploration of resources for blue energy production using salinity gradients.

Researcher-engineering

Dr. Rachid BOUADDI

Rachid BOUADDI earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Iben Zohr University in Morocco in 2009. He went on to complete a research Master's degree in Molecular and Supramolecular chemistry at the University of Strasbourg-France in 2012. During this time, he conducted internships focused on synthesizing organophosphonate macromolecular compounds. Recently, RE's passion for research led him to complete a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Iben Zohr University in 2023.

His doctoral research primarily focused on studying and theoretically modeling organophosphonates using ab initio and semi-empirical methods, such as Density Functional Theory (DFT), with the use of various calculation bases. This research also involved conducting statistical analyses to develop two models for predicting the acidity constants of phosphonic acids.

Professionally, in 2015, BOUADDI joined the Operation & Maintenance team at the Noor solar complex in Ouarzazate with NOMAC-AcwaPower. In this role, he was responsible for ensuring the long-term sustainability of equipment used for renewable energy production and energy storage, specifically concentrating on Concentrated Solar Parabolic (CSP) technology. His responsibilities included overseeing the production of demineralized water using processes like Coagulation, DAF, MMF, RO1, RO2, and EDI. He also carried out quality control through physico-chemical analysis in a laboratory and monitored the water/steam circuit to ensure steam turbine quality parameters were met.

Since 2024, Rachid has been a part of the water-energy team at UM6P in Laayoune. His interests align with the objectives of the Water-eEnergy team, focusing on water, membrane separation, and various forms of material and energy transformation.

Dr. Hanane AIT LAHOUSSINE OUALI

Dr. Hanane AIT LAHOUSSINE OUALI is currently a Research Engineer at African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) affiliated to Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Before that, she held a postdoctoral research position in the research group for Materials Science, New Energies, and Applications at the Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University of Oujda. She received her Ph.D. in Physics and Engineering, specializing in Mechanics and Energetics, from Mohammed First University. In addition, she holds an M.Sc. in Electronics and Computer Science from the same university. Dr. Hanane teaches a variety of courses, including Electromagnetism, Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Geometrical Optics. Additionally, she assists as a supervisor and co-supervisor for undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds. Her research interests are in the fields of energy, renewable energy, and hybrid Energy systems. In particular, she is interested in the assessment, modeling, and forecasting of solar radiation, concentrated solar power, photovoltaic/wind power generation, High-concentrated photovoltaic systems, technical and economic analyses, and feasibility studies of solar power plants. She also interested in different optimization methods, multi-criteria decision making, and enhancement of solar thermal concentrators, soiling effect on PV and CSP power plants, power-to-X and green hydrogen production, and desalination of seawater by solar energy. Dr. Hanane has vast experience in reviewing for many authoritative journals such as Energy Conversion and Management, Journal of cleaner Production , Energy report, Case studies in thermal engineering, among others. She has authored and co- authored numerous research papers in academic journals. Her publications can be found on her Google Scholar profile at the following link:

Postdocs

Dr. Kamalakkannan ANNAMALAI

Dr. K. Annamalai is a Postdoctoral Fellow currently working at the African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI), UM6P, where he is working on the development of advanced photocatalysts for integrated wastewater treatment and green hydrogen generation. His work involves designing visible-light-responsive nanostructured materials capable of performing dual functions: the degradation of organic contaminants and solar-driven water splitting for sustainable energy production.

Dr. Annamalai earned his Ph.D. in Physics (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) from the University of Madras in April 2023, where he focused on Bi-based metal oxide nanomaterials for photocatalytic water remediation and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). His thesis, under the supervision of Prof. S. Balakumar, contributed significantly to the development of 3D/2D heterojunction nanostructures for enhanced photo-electrocatalytic activity.

From 2020 to 2022, he was a Project Associate in a DST-RFBR Indo-Russian collaboration, where he synthesized and characterized defect pyrochlore Bi₂−ₓMxWO₆ nanostructures (M = Fe, Mn, Co), targeting multifunctionality in photocatalysis and magnetoelectric behavior. Since May 2023, he has also been affiliated with the National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NCNSNT), University of Madras, as a Postdoctoral Fellow under the MHRD–RUSA 2.0 project, conducting research on nanomaterials for biomedical and energy applications.

Dr. Annamalai has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals such as Chemosphere, Surfaces and Interfaces, and Catalysis Science & Technology, and was recognized with the Best Poster Presentation Award at ICONN 2023 for his work on Bi₂WO₆/rGO nanocomposites. He brings expertise in nanomaterials synthesis, structural and optical characterization, electrochemical analysis, and gas chromatography.

Dr. Abderrazek EL-KORDY

Abderrazek El-Kordy is a postdoctoral researcher in advanced membrane and electrode technologies at the ASARI Institute, UM6P (Morocco). He earned a BSc in Chemistry (2015) and an MSc in Materials Engineering (2017) from the University of Dhar El Mehraz, Fez, and a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry (2024) from Moulay Ismail University, Meknes. His doctoral work at the Laboratory of Materials, Membranes and Nanotechnologies focused on the synthesis and characterization of adsorptive materials, particularly zeolites for the removal of heavy metals and dyes, with expertise in tuning silica/alumina precursors and advanced physicochemical characterization. He completed an Erasmus+ KA107 internship at the University of Messina (Italy) on material synthesis, characterization and gas adsorption. At the University of Sharjah (UAE) he developed ceramic membranes from local clays for water filtration and electrochemical sensors for environmental monitoring, and later worked on ceramic-membrane pretreatment for sewage and seawater and carbon-nanotube electrodes to enhance capacitive deionization. He has managed projects, mentored junior researchers, and co-authored peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Boubaker OUADIL

Dr. Boubaker OUADIL is a researcher in functional materials and sustainable technologies, specializing in the development of advanced materials for environmental and agricultural applications. His research integrates materials science, green chemistry, and circular economy principles to transform industrial by-products into high-value, sustainable materials.

He previously worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), where he contributed to applied research projects focused on sustainable material processing and industrial valorization. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at ASARI, where he continues to advance the design and development of high-performance, environmentally responsible material systems.

Dr. Ouadil has extensive expertise in the synthesis and characterization of multifunctional materials, including graphene-based composites, lignin-based materials, functional textiles, biopolymers, controlled-release fertilizers, and hydroxyapatite derived from phosphogypsum. A central focus of his work is the valorization of phosphogypsum and other industrial by-products into value-added products such as calcium sulfate, lignin-based functional additives, and agronomic granules that promote sustainable agriculture.

His technical expertise encompasses advanced physicochemical, structural, and thermal characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement, particle size analysis, thermal analysis, and surface property evaluation. His current research aims to develop multifunctional, high-performance materials that contribute to sustainable agriculture, environmental remediation, and circular economy-driven innovation.

PhD Students

Ms. Salma MACHICHE

Ms. Salma MACHICHE is Ph.D. student at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in the ASARI department under the supervision of Professor Otman Abida and Professor Mohamed Essalhi and in collaboration with the HTMR department under the guidance of Professor Yahya Agzenai Ben Salem. Her doctoral research explores the development of hybrid nanomaterials for photocatalytic wastewater treatment and hydrogen production

Ms. Salma MACHICHE received her bachelor's degree in Applied Chemistry from Hassan II University in 2021. After that, she got her master’s in Research and Development in physical-chemistry of solid state, option Inorganic Materials, and development from the Faculty of Science and Technology at Cadi Ayyad University in 2023. During her master’s project, she focused on synthesizing and characterizing perovskite-based materials for photocatalytic water treatment applications.

For more information, you can visit her LinkedIn profile:

Ms. Chaimae Radaa

Chaimae Radaa is a Ph.D. student at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco), specializing in membrane distillation (MD) technology and ammonia recovery. She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering and Water Management from Euromed University of Fes, Morocco.

Her doctoral research advances MD technology for ammonia recovery, focusing on the development of innovative membrane materials and sustainable production methods. She optimizes MD systems to achieve efficient Ammonia recovery through integrated experimental work and process modeling, delivering significant environmental and economic benefits aligned with green economy principles.

Chaimae has contributed to industrial wastewater treatment through impactful publications on innovative and sustainable solutions. With expertise in material synthesis and environmental engineering, she develops practical approaches to tackle real-world challenges in resource recovery.

Through her work, Chaimae is dedicated to addressing critical challenges in water security and sustainability. Her research interests include advanced membrane technologies, the development of new nanomaterials for wastewater treatment, and innovative eco-friendly membrane solutions for resource recovery.

Mr. Anas Bibot

Anas Bibot is a PhD student at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), affiliated with the African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Geology from Moulay Ismail University and a Master’s degree in Coastal Engineering and Applications from Chouaib Doukkali University. His doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with the National Center of Energy and Nuclear Technics (CNESTEN), focuses on the combined use of numerical modeling and sediment radiometric dating for environmental reconstruction and management of the Marchica Lagoon in Morocco. Anas investigates the interactions between hydrodynamics, pollutant transport, water and sediment quality in Marchica’s lagoon. His research combines advanced modeling techniques, including the use of MANAPY and MIKE21 for hydrodynamic modeling, and reconstruct past environmental conditions of the lagoon using radiometric isotopes in sediment cores to assess the lagoon’s response to both natural and anthropogenic influences.

In addition to his primary research, Anas is passionate about offshore wind energy, current energy, and wave energy, exploring their potential as renewable energy sources from coastal and marine environments.

Master's Students

Ms. Nouhaila Belkaid

Ms. Nouhaila Belkaid, a passionate student in her second year of pursuing a Master's degree in Renewable Energies and Materials at the Faculty of Sciences, Ben Msick, Casablanca. She holds a bachelor's degree in Renewable Energies and Processes from the Higher School of Technology, Guelmim in 2022. Currently, she is working on an internship project that focuses on the role of renewable energy resources in water desalination sustainability. Her objective is to enhance the energy-water relationship, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where access to fresh water is severely limited. Through her internship project, she is investigating the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power into water desalination processes. This aligns with sustainability goals and can contribute to more environmentally friendly water production.

For more information, you can visit her LinkedIn profile:

Ms. Fatima Aziar

Fatma AZIAR, 23 years, is currently pursuing her master's degree in Renewable Energies and Energy Systems at HASSAN II University in Casablanca. Her academic journey commenced with a bachelor's degree in Physics in 2018. In 2019, she delved into the field of computer systems development through a year-long study program. Transitioning to a specialized track, Fatma spent two years at EST High School of Technology Guelmim, focusing on Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency, graduating in 2021. In 2022, she furthered her expertise by obtaining a professional license in Renewable Energies and Water Desalination from EST High School of Technology Laayoune.Currently, Fatma is immersed in her internship at UM6P ASARI/Laayoune research center, collaborating with the Water Engineering and Energy Sustainability Research Group, under the guidance of Ph.D. Mohamed Essalhi. Actually; she works in project related to Blue energy which an Integrative Approaches in Water Chemistry and Energy Generation from Brine in Morocco ”Phosboucraa Desalination “.The project entails integrating reverse electrodialysis (RED) technology into the Phosboucraa desalination station with the goal of increasing energy output and brine treatment efficiency.

Mr. Jaouad El Kharaz

Jaouad El Kharaz is a master's intern at ASARI and MASCIR–UM6P, currently working on innovative wastewater treatment methods. His research focuses on synthesizing activated carbon from expired pharmaceuticals to develop sustainable and cost-effective water purification solutions. Jaouad is pursuing a Master’s degree in Research and Development in Solid-State Physical Chemistry at Cadi Ayyad University (FST Gueliz, Marrakesh), with a specialization in inorganic materials.

With a strong academic background in material and mineral chemistry from Ibn Zohr University, he has experience in analytical techniques such as XRD and acid leaching, and has applied statistical optimization methods like the Taguchi approach. Jaouad combines a scientific mindset with a proactive attitude, contributing to environmentally responsible research aimed at addressing emerging challenges in water treatment.

Mr. Samir Nafai

Samir Nafai is currently completing his internship at ASARI–UM6P, where he is working on the development of an innovative sand filtration prototype combined with Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) for wastewater treatment and desalination pretreatment. His work aims to enhance water purification efficiency using integrated and sustainable approaches.

He is a Master’s student in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, with a solid academic foundation in water analysis, spectroscopic techniques, and treatment processes such as coagulation-flocculation, filtration, and adsorption. Samir has hands-on experience with physico-chemical analysis, membrane pretreatment, and reverse osmosis optimization, gained through various academic projects and industry internships.

Motivated and detail-oriented, Samir combines strong technical skills with a deep interest in water treatment technologies and environmental sustainability.

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