N. Najmu Shabah | Polymer Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Ms. N. Najmu Shabah | Polymer Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Scholar | University of Calicut | India

Najmu Shabah N is a passionate and dedicated early-career researcher in Chemistry with a strong academic foundation and hands-on laboratory skills, specializing in polymer nanocomposites, green synthetic methodologies, and advanced spectroscopic analysis. She holds an MSc in Chemistry from Grace Valley College of Arts and Science, University of Calicut, where she gained comprehensive knowledge across theoretical chemistry, organic, inorganic, physical chemistry, and instrumental analysis. Her research is driven by an interest in developing sustainable and functional materials through environmentally conscious approaches. During her Master’s dissertation under the supervision of Dr. M.T. Ramesan, she successfully synthesized eco-friendly polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/arrowroot/LiAgO nanocomposites using green chemistry strategies. This work involved systematic nanoparticle synthesis and characterization using FT-IR, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and SEM to study structural, optical, and surface properties. She further evaluated conductivity behavior and antibacterial efficiency against E. coli, demonstrating the composite’s promise for biodegradable antibacterial and optoelectronic applications. Her undergraduate research on green nitration methods reinforced her commitment to sustainable chemistry and demonstrated her ability to design efficient, low-toxicity synthetic routes. Along with academic research, Najmu has practical laboratory experience as a Research Lab Assistant at the University of Calicut, where she prepared samples, operated spectroscopy and chromatography instruments, maintained lab safety standards, managed inventory, and supported ongoing research projects. She also worked as a Chemistry Subject Matter Expert at Cloud Bird Digital Pvt. Ltd., where she contributed to solving analytical challenges and supported interdisciplinary teams in product development and scale-up. Her skills span chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, computational chemistry (Gaussian), and advanced analytical methods, including TCSPC. With research interests spanning polymer science, nanomaterials, photonics, catalysis, and drug-related studies, she aspires to contribute to innovative materials and sustainable chemical technologies while advancing her future research career.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publication

Najmu Shabah, N., Khaleelul Rahman, T. T., Gopika, R., & Ramesan, M. T. (2025, July 7). Multifunctional polyvinyl alcohol/maranta arundinacea starch/LiAgO nanocomposites: A sustainable approach for antibacterial and optoelectronic applications. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials.

 

Yossef Elabd | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Prof. Dr. Yossef Elabd | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Texas A&M University, United States

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Academic and Professional Background

Prof. Dr. Yossef Elabd is a distinguished researcher and academic leader currently serving as the Vice Chancellor for Research at The Texas A&M University System. The Texas A&M University System comprises 11 universities and 8 state agencies, collectively managing externally funded research expenditures of $1.5 billion annually. In his role, Dr. Elabd provides strategic research leadership and oversees multiple offices and initiatives, including Texas A&M Innovation, National Laboratories Office, Bush Combat Development Complex, Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute, Texas A&M Fort Worth, Research Security Office, Research Compliance Office, Research Administration Office, Research Development Office, and the Chancellor’s Research Initiative.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Elabd held several key administrative positions at Texas A&M University, including Interim Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering, Interim Director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Associate Dean for Research of Engineering, and Associate Department Head of Chemical Engineering. His leadership has played a crucial role in advancing research and innovation within the university system.

🔬 Research and Teaching Contributions

In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Elabd is a Professor and the Axalta Coating Systems Chair II in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. His research primarily focuses on electrochemical energy storage and conversion, including batteries, capacitors, and fuel cells, as well as materials and polymer science. Over the years, he has been recognized for his pioneering contributions to chemical engineering and materials science.

Dr. Elabd is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and has held prestigious international positions such as Senior Fellow at the Instituto di Studi Avanzati, Università di Bologna, and Scholar in Residence at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). His excellence in research has been acknowledged through multiple awards, including the NSF CAREER Award, the ARO Young Investigator Award, and the DuPont Science and Engineering Award.

As an educator, Dr. Elabd has taught chemical engineering courses at all academic levels, from undergraduate freshmen to graduate students, ensuring the next generation of engineers and researchers receive world-class training.

📚 Educational Background

Dr. Elabd holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He further honed his research skills as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

🌍 Impact and Legacy

With an illustrious career spanning academic leadership, groundbreaking research, and excellence in teaching, Dr. Yossef Elabd continues to drive innovation in electrochemical energy and materials science. His leadership at The Texas A&M University System has strengthened research capabilities and fostered cutting-edge advancements in engineering and technology.

📖Notable Publications

Nanofiber/Nanoparticle Electrodes for Ultra‐low Platinum Fuel Cells via Simultaneous Foam Electrospinning and Electrospraying

Authors: Dohyun Kim, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Fuel Cells

Year: 2025-04

Poly(ionic liquid) ABC triblock and ABCBA pentablock terpolymer electrolytes for lithium metal batteries

Authors: Dohyun Kim, Rui Sun, Roger Tocchetto, Carl Willis, Bert Krutzer, Frederick L. Beyer, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: RSC Applied Polymers

Year: 2024

Star poly(ionic liquid)s: Chain architecture‐property relationships

Authors: Kevin D. Nixon, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Journal of Polymer Science

Year: 2024-08

Highly Frustrated Poly(ionic liquid) ABC Triblock Terpolymers with Exceptionally High Morphology Factors

Authors: Patrick M. Lathrop, Rui Sun, Frederick L. Beyer, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Macromolecules

Year: 2024-04-23

Synthesis of 3-, 4-, and 6-arm star poly(ionic liquid)s

Authors: Kevin Nixon, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Polymer

Year: 2023-06

Dehumidification via polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis with sulfonated pentablock terpolymer

Authors: Yifei Yang, Roger Tocchetto, Kevin Nixon, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Journal of Membrane Science

Year: 2022-09