Research Labs Team

Dr. Peter Rodgers is currently the Acting Director, Research Laboratories and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Master in Arts & Science (Awarded in languages, literature, history, geography, philosophy, social sciences, and fine arts. The Master of Science is awarded for the natural sciences, mathematics, and technical fields such as engineering, agriculture, and computer science. GPA: 3.67), Abu Dhabi University, UAE, 2017 

Master in Business Administration (General Management degree designed to educate businessstudents in Finances, Human Resources, Marketing, Strategy, and Operations Management, GPA: 3.58), Al Hosn University, UAE, 2014

Bachelors in International Business (GPA: 3.39), Al Hosn University, UAE, 2011

• First Aid
• Demystifying Company Culture
• IDP Training - Project Management Foundations: Procurement
• How to Become a Thought Leader and Advance Your Career
• Public Sector Performance Budgeting
• 022 Goal Setting for Managers Workshop
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Superior creative and critical thinking abilities
• High multitasking ability to balance teaching and administrative duties
• Outstanding proficiency in MS Office, including PowerPoint Access Word and Excel

• 4 years experience in business support management at Etisalat.
• 12 years' experience in Research Laboratories at Masdar City Campus of Science & Technology as RL support Officer and supporting Khalifa University from 2020 till to date.

Afra Al Ketbi joined Masdar City Campus of Science and Technology in June 2010.

Currently working with Khalifa University, and she’s dealing with the Research Laboratories team and supporting all requests, including Finance & Budgeting,

Human Resource Recruitment, training programs. supporting RL Procurement requests. Oversee the day-to-day work of the Department coordinator and help the RL team with their requests. Control RL reserved recourses – KU booking system and communicated with Finance and DOF regarding tracking capital research budget. Prepared the Monthly financial statement closing process and monthly reports for senior management.

Afra Al Ketbi is a well-experienced, reliable, and enthusiastic professional with more than 15 years of diversified experience and a strong record of leadership and delivery of services in the multidimensional and multicultural working environment, combining broad exposure in all aspects of Research Laboratories Support, Government Sector dealings, and customer relationship management (CRM).

• Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED
• Business Plan Preparation course, certificate by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development
• KU Budget Reporting course, offered by Khalifa University Finance Dashboard
• Business Model Canvas course, certified by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development
• Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur course, certified by Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
• ICDL Certificate by Al Khwarizmi International College

• High School Diploma-Psychology, Business, and Economics, AlRawafed School, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2017 
• Bachelors in International Studies, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2021

• Excel data visualization: Mastering 20+ charts and graphs
• Purchasing Foundations
• Project Management Foundations: Procurement
• Operation’s management foundations
• Excel Pivot Tables: Mastering Pivot tables and Pivot Charts
• Learning Excel: Data Analysis
• Excel Quick Tips

• NEBOSH IGC
• ISO 45001 Lead Auditor
• OSHAD certified HSE Practitioner
• First Aid CPR, AED training by AHA

• Provide HSE solutions for issues/non-compliances to ensure the work is carried out in the safest manner to prevent accidents without damaging the environment.
• Developing Safety Management Systems in compliance with ISO 45001:2018, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 standard requirements.
• Well versed with OSHAD and other legal HSE requirements
• Carrying out HSE Inspections and risk assessments

Siji has HSE experience in various sectors like Construction, Warehouse, Quarry and Workshop. Has independently handled internal and external HSE audits and got the company safety management system certified. Has good understanding of HSE regulatory compliance requirements. 

B.Sc. (Hons -Microbiology and Immunology), Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2011

• Certification of completion on Project Management Project, by University of California, Irvine and offered through Coursera June 2022
• Certification of completion on Strategic Management by Copenhagen Business School through Coursera February 2022
• Certificate from National Emergency Response Volunteer Program (SANID), Level one training program September,2021
• Total saver First Aid certificate, August2021
• Team leadership course, May2021
• Miseq /illumina workshop on 2019
• Certificate of Attendance the program "Effective Time Management".
• Certificate of Attendance the program "Presentation Skills: The Art of Public Speaking" Student Affairs Deanship, Student Counseling & Support Services, Al Ain, 19th March 2009

• Able to manage different projects which involved in establishing a new facility/Laboratories.
• Creative Problem Solving and provide suggestions to the researchers in using the right instruments that matched their research needs.
• Reliability with solid managing skills and the flexibility required to work in research environment.

Seasoned professional with more than 9 years of combined management, research, and training experience in research laboratories. Involved as a major contributor in building the Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry laboratory from the scratch.  Demonstrate excellent leadership skills and the ability to promote a cohesive team work environment and motivate members to perform their best in completing tasks. Proven track record in effectively handling multiple projects simultaneously Such as Tissue culture /BSL3 laboratory and Graphene center, taking full responsibility and initiative to deliver quality results on time. Equipped with well-honed interpersonal and communication abilities; capable of dealing effectively with individuals from different backgrounds. Reputed for exceeding expectations in conducting research and managing projects. Fluent in English language. Proficient in Windows MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); as well as Photoshop, Illustrator, Banner, and Moodle. 

• Instrumental analysis
• Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
• High Performance Liquid Chromatography
• Gas Chromatography
• Ion Chromatography
• Potentiometric titrations
• Polarography
• X-ray Diffraction
• X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Nurlan has started his career in Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan as a laboratory specialist. There he largely contributed to the development of the Laboratory Facilities of Departments of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Core Facilities, Research Laboratories, Mining, Petroleum and Geology.
Nurlan is experienced in broad range of teaching and testing laboratory setups, such Analytical chemistry, Spectroscopy, Chromatography, X-ray analysis, Mineral processing, Rock Testing, Core preparation and Testing laboratories. His research experience includes developing and using a laboratory setup of a gas membrane recovery of cyanides for gold extraction industry applications and potentiometric titration determination of cyanides, polarographic and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry determination of various heavy metals.
In 2022 Nurlan joined ACBC Lab, CORE Research Laboratories, Khalifa University as Laboratory Specialist to support research activities in the laboratory.

 Additive Manufacturing
 Masdar City Campus Solar Platform
 Masdar City Campus Field Station

B.Sc. (Energy Engineering), Munich University of Applied Sciences (MUAS), Germany, 2017

B.Sc. (Energy Engineering), German Jordanian University (GJU), Jordan, 2018

• Selective laser 3D printing.
• Metal Additive Manufacturing.
• Renewable Energy focus on solar energy.
• Material and Solar Cell Characterization.
• Solar resource assessment.
• Solar desalination.
• Soalr Cells and Photovoltaic Systems.
• Solar Thermal Systems.
• Solar Energy Integration and Economics.

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM)
• Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS)
• Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)
• Focused Ion Beam (FIB)
• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
• Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM)
• STEM-EDS (STEM with EDS)
• Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS)
• Raman Spectroscopy (Raman)
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

With over 25 years of experience in instruments utilizing particle-matter interaction, Dr. Cyril's expertise began during his Ph.D., where he investigated ion-polymer interactions using a 300 kV particle accelerator and developed a homemade focused ion beam. Subsequently, he joined CNRS (France), overseeing a 3 MV electron accelerator dedicated to water treatment.

In 2010, Dr. Cyril moved to KAUST (Saudi Arabia) as a research scientist, conducting SEM and TEM analyses for the center. Concurrently, he initiated AFM activities focused on studying adhesion properties. In 2014, he was recruited by Masdar Institute as an instructor for SEM and FIB. By 2019, he earned a promotion to EM manager, overseeing a total of 26 instruments.  

M.Sc. (Material Sciences), Qatar University, Qatar, 2020

B. Sc. (Biomedical Engineering), El-Shorouk University, Egypt, 2008

• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Service Training Course, Magellan & Helios Service certificate.
• Quanta FEG System Application Certificate.
• JOEL’s SEMs and EPMA application training certificate from JOEL Factory.
• Bruker and Oxford EDS and EBSD Application certificate.
• TEM for material science certificate.
• Certified Radiation protection officer.
• Certified Lead auditor (ISO 17025:2017, ISO 9001:2015)
• Certified Biosafety Level 2.
• Basic Life Support (BLS), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), & First Aid certificate.

• Material Characterization
• in-situ Scanning Electron Microscope and Transmission Electron Microscope
• in-situ X-ray Diffraction
• Thermal analysis
• EBIC analysis for solar cells
• 2D materials for energy and water filtration applications.

Mohamed Helal holds an MSc degree in Material Sciences. he worked as a Senior Field Service/Application engineer on FEI systems (currently, Thermofisher scientific instruments) since May 2009. Afterwards, he joined QEERI as a Research Associate in the Imaging and Characterization - Core Labs in May of 2014, where He has supervised and managed the installation of SEM/SDB and sample preparation capabilities along with SEM materials characterization in the Core Labs. Mohamed Helal joined the Core labs at KU as Electron Microscope specialist in 2022, where he will support the research and analysis activities at Masdar campus.

Mohamed’s area of expertise includes scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), EDS analysis (Elemental mapping), Mineral mapping using Electron Prope Micro-Analysis (EPMA), element quantification, Focused Ion Beam (FIB), in situ heating and cooling EM work, Cryo-SEM, Environmental-SEM, and other associated techniques. Furthermore, Mohamed worked on 2D materials for energy and water filtration applications, and solar cells.

• Thermal Energy Storage systems
• Solar Thermal Energy
• Thermodynamic
• Thermal Energy Conversion
• Air handling units
• Renewable Energy

• Microsoft office,
• Air conditioning and Refrigeration
• Building automation system
• Safety
• CPR
• Man lift operator

• Mechanical, electrical, welding , brazing, Installation of the Instruments,
• Expert in maintaining the heliostats, reflector tower, repairing of pumps, greasing the bearings.
• Replacing of bearing, limit Switches replacement,
• Operation of the plant and do the maintenance accordingly,
• Data collection and maintain the daily log book.
• Maintain all the instruments on timely basis
• Rectify the faults and repair.

• Working in UAE since 1994, having 27 years of experience in UAE.
• Starting from 2013 till 2021 I was independently taking care of the solar platform and the field station,
• Preventive maintenance of all the instruments installed at both the sites doing the repair work and maintaining all the equipment, reflector tower,  heliostats, instrumentation platform, SAM, with full safety measures
• Sometimes as required welding and brazing work is carried out by full safety measures
• The sub-contractors are supervised so that the job is being carried with full safety measures
• Procuring the consumables for the both the sites to run smoothly.
• Maintain the log books.

• Dip. (Mechanical Engineering), State Board of Technical Education, India, 1983
• B.Sc. (Physics), Mahatma Gandhi University, India, 1986
• B.Tech. (Mechanical Engineering), University of Kerala, India, 1993
• Post. Dip. (Computer Applications), Plus Point Institute, Board of Technical Education, India, 1994
• MBA (EM Management), Sikkim Manipal University of Science and Technology, India, 2007
• Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering), Completed by Distant Education from University PE Studies, India, 2014

• NEBOSH IGC Certificate in Safety.
• First Aid CPR AED
• 3D printing
• Auto Cad / NX Certificate.
• Orbital Welding
• Latex Goods Manufacturing.
• Injection Moulding.
• Dartec Certificate in Industrial Automation.
• Red Crescent Certificate for safety.
• Certificate in Teaching in English
• Instron Certified Engineer for UTM and Actuators

Nellimala Abdul Shukoor has 35 years of experience (23 years in UAE) in academic, research and laboratory management. He is a result-oriented mentor who efficiently utilizes cutting edge technology and strategies to achieve better learning and research environment for students. He has thorough knowledge in managing various University laboratories includes procure, install, commission and maintenance of laboratory equipment’s. Established safety protocols, maintenance procedures and Standard Operating Procedures.

Taught the following courses: Manufacturing Processes, Thermo fluids , Air-condition and Refrigeration, Gas Dynamics, Machine Design, Power plant Engineering, Engineering Drawing, Heat Engineering, Thermodynamics, Hydraulics, Fluid Mechanics , Industrial Engineering, Cryogenics etc.

Sai Krishna Nimmagadda is a Passionate Manufacturing Specialist and researcher. Research lab RFPW senior support staff of Masdar campus at M/s Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi – UAE, hoping to serve society through manufacturing, research, teaching, coaching, and mentoring.

Research interests include finding solutions to common problems and improving the wellness of Mother Nature.

Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers (India). Recipient of the outstanding performer of the year 2010 award for the machinery applications service at M/s Kennametal India Ltd., Bangalore, India. A Mechanical Engineering Graduate and PGDBA. Gained a vast experience of 15+ years in Design, Manufacturing & Machinery Applications, and General Services in various workshop areas like Research, Academic, and Industrial engineering works at GCC, Singapore & India.

Outside working time, I enjoy social play various outdoor & indoor sports and focusing on Fitness, Boxing, Tennis, Football, and Chess. 

M.SC in Chemistry from SV University 2004 Tirupati, INDIA

Mohan has around 18 years of experience in analytical instrumentation with core competencies on LC and LCMS in vivid application areas like Food safety, Bioequivalence studies, Environmental, Clinical Diagnostics, Impurity Profiling etc.

He started with career with Aurobindo Pharma and have developed and validated over 30 Bioequivalence studies in human plasma, serum, whole blood and urine as per FDA GLP and ICH Guidelines.

Then he moved to Waters Corporation where he successfully implemented Sample preparation strategies across labs in India. He had been instrumental in developing and standardizing Methods on Nitrosamine Impurities quantitation in Various API and Formulations like Sartan drugs, Rifampin, Ranitidine, Nizatidine at various CRO’S and Pharma QC meeting 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and adhering to ICH Q3 Guidelines. He was a key contributor towards standardizing methods in clinical diagnostics laboratories in India on Vitamins, TDM, Neo natal screening, Steroids etc.

He also worked for Agilent technologies as Field Application Engineer-LCMS and was a key player to achieve overall regional growth in mass spectrometry sales.

B.Tech (Electronics and Communication Engineering), Mahatma Gandhi University, India, 2011

M.E. (Communication Systems), Anna University, India, 2013

• Certificate course in JAVA
• Certificate in Optical Fiber Communication
• Certificate course in Microcontroller
• First Aid CPR AED

• Expert in teaching and research analysis in the field of engineering with a sound knowledge in electronics, solar, power electronics and optics.
• Experience in material characterization and laboratory management.
• Operation and training of research level optoelectronic equipment, timely maintenance of all instruments.
• Identifying faults and repair.

Teenu Liza Thomas holding M.E in Electronics and Communication Engineering has started her career in academics, research and have industrial experience in power electronics and have worked in establishing, commissioning and maintaining various industrial and university labs.

She currently administers and coordinates all research works for faculty and students. This includes operational training on research equipment, scheduling and implementation of effective maintenance of equipment, assists the faculty and researchers with the purchase of consumables and accessories for their equipment, materials handling and related supporting services. She serves as an advisor to faculty and researchers to meet schedules and or resolve technical problems and ensures that standard operating procedures and protocols are maintained and applied at all times.

Ph.D. (Polymer Sciences), University of Bordeaux, France, 2007

M.Sc. (Polymer Sciences), University of Bordeaux, France, 2003

B. Sc. (Chemistry), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, France, 2001

• Multiscale Material Characterization
• Chemistry
• Polymer study
• Laboratory Management

Dr. Thomas Delclos obtained his PhD in Materials Science and his Master degree in Polymer Science from University of Bordeaux, France in 2003 and 2007 respectively. His PhD thesis, which was conducted in the European Institute of Chemistry and Biology laboratory (IECB), was awarded by the highest French distinction.

Prior Joining KU, he worked for two years in the University of Cyprus on a European project to recycle nuclear wastes. He also worked in France for two year in a startup company created by Rhodia (now Solvay) and CNRS (French national research center).

His scientific background is in Multiscale Characterization of materials. He uses his broad experience in materials characterization to provide training and insight on the different tools available in the Lab.

Anjana is a Core Lab Specialist with the Research Laboratories Department at Khalifa University. She is specialized in material characterization techniques and instrumentation. Prior to joining Khalifa University, she worked as a research staff at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) and Indian Institute of sciences Bangalore (IISc). 

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree in Advanced Construction Technology

With a post-graduate degree in Civil Engineering and 15 years of extensive experience in higher education and the construction industry, I bring a wealth of expertise to the field. My educational background comprises a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a Master's degree in Advanced Construction Technology, complemented by professional certifications including PMP, LEED GA, and LEED AP.

In my most recent role, I dedicated eight years at Al Ain Women's College, Higher Colleges of Technology, where I served as the in charge of campus Facilities and Projects. Overseeing the complete project lifecycle for more than 45 engineering projects, my responsibilities ranged from project initiation to closure and subsequent maintenance. Notable achievements include leadership in weekly progress meetings, management of on-site construction activities, and meticulous adherence to safety and quality regulations. In the realm of facilities, I held a pivotal role as the head of hard and soft service providers, overseeing areas such as MEP, cleaning, landscaping, hospitality, and more. My active involvement in contract and vendor management has contributed significantly to organizational development and process improvement.

During my six-year tenure in the contracting field, I ascended to the position of Construction Manager, successfully completing 22 projects. My diverse skill set, coupled with a proven track record of project management and leadership, underscores my commitment to excellence in the realms of civil engineering, construction, and higher education.