Ms. Nour Merhi | Materials Science | Young Researcher Award

Ms. Nour Merhi | Materials Science | Young Researcher Award

Nour Merhi is a dedicated Research Assistant at the American University of Beirut, specializing in thermal sensing and materials chemistry. With a strong academic background in chemistry and a passion for scientific discovery, she has contributed to advanced research in conjugated polymers and metal-organic frameworks. Her academic and extracurricular pursuits demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and initiative. She has held prominent roles such as president of student-led STEM organizations, while also participating in community outreach. Nour’s work blends rigorous experimental techniques with analytical insight, aimed at innovating in the field of chemical sensing. Her efforts have been recognized through multiple academic honors and grants.

American University of Beirut | Lebanon

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Academic Background

Ms. Nour earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the American University of Beirut between August 2019 and June 2022, followed by a Master of Science in Chemistry from the same institution, completed between August 2022 and June 2024. Prior to university, she obtained the Lebanese Baccalaureate in Life Sciences from Bourj International College in June 2019.

Research Experience

As a Graduate Research Assistant at AUB since August 2022, Nour works in a cutting-edge physical and analytical laboratory. Her research centers around thermal sensing technologies, leveraging advanced instrumentation to conduct precise material characterization for thermal and biosensing applications. Her work involves data collection, interpretation, and collaborative innovation in sensing strategy development. She has also served as an Undergraduate Research Assistant from May 2021 to July 2022, where she focused on heterocyclic chemistry, specifically synthesizing and analyzing triazine derivatives using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, while also mentoring junior researchers.

Teaching Experience

From August 2022 to May 2024, Nour has contributed to chemistry education as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Laboratory Instructor. She supported senior students in CHEM 234 (Biosensing), led experimental sessions for CHEM 220, covering thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and computational chemistry, and facilitated problem-solving sessions in CHEM 200 and CHEM 201. She also took responsibility for proctoring and evaluating undergraduate exams, ensuring academic integrity and learning outcomes.

Leadership & Extracurricular Activities

Nour actively engages in leadership and outreach. She is scheduled to present her research on MOFs for thermal sensing at the International Workshop on Advanced Materials (IWAM), February 2024. From July 2021 to July 2022, she served as President of the Chemistry Student Society (CSS) at AUB, organizing academic events for chemistry students. As President of the AGFE STEMer Club (2020–2022), she led initiatives focused on career development, mentorship, and networking for STEM students. She was also a representative in the AUB LEAD Initiative, hosting panels on Lebanon’s financial crisis, and volunteered with Dar Al Fatwa and Al Imdad Foundation, supporting marginalized communities and orphan outreach programs between 2020 and 2021.

Awards & Honors

Nour has been consistently recognized for her excellence. She was named to the Dean’s Honor List (2021–2022) at the American University of Beirut for academic distinction. She was awarded the prestigious Al Ghurair STEM Scholarship (2019–2022) for her exceptional academic potential in STEM fields. Most recently, she received the IWAM Travel Grant (2024), acknowledging her valuable research contributions and enabling her participation in a global materials science conference.

Notable Publications

Luminescence Nanothermometry: Investigating Thermal Memory in UiO-66-NH2 Nanocrystals
Authors: Nour Merhi, Abdullah Hakeem, Mohamad Hmadeh, Pierre Karam
Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Year: 2024

Sustainable Strategies for Converting Organic, Electronic, and Plastic Waste From Municipal Solid Waste Into Functional Materials
Authors: Abdelaziz Gouda, Nour Merhi, Mohamad Hmadeh, Teresa Cecchi, Clara Santato, Mohini Sain
Journal: Global Challenges
Year: 2025

Single Particle Insights into the Thermal Sensing of Conjugated Polyelectrolyte–Nanoparticle Assemblies
Authors: Kareem Alhafi, Nour Merhi, Pierre Karam
Journal: ACS Applied Optical Materials
Year: 2024

Sustainable Strategies for Converting Organic, Electronic, and Plastic Waste From Municipal Solid Waste Into Functional Materials (Global Challenges 4/2025)
Authors: Abdelaziz Gouda, Nour Merhi, Mohamad Hmadeh, Teresa Cecchi, Clara Santato, Mohini Sain
Journal: Global Challenges
Year: 2025

Self‐Assembly of UiO‐66 on Conjugated Polyelectrolytes: Toward Enhanced Photophysical Properties
Authors: Abdullah Hakeem, Nour Merhi, Pierre Karam, Mohamad Hmadeh
Journal: Particle & Particle Systems Characterization
Year: 2024

Conclusion

Through her academic journey and hands-on research experience, Nour Merhi has established herself as a promising contributor to the field of chemistry. Her dedication to advancing thermal and biosensing technologies through experimental research highlights her commitment to scientific development. In addition to her technical skills, her leadership in student societies and community initiatives reflects a well-rounded and proactive approach to education and service. As she continues to explore complex material systems and sensing applications, she is poised to make impactful contributions to both academic research and practical innovations in chemical science. Her career trajectory demonstrates clarity of purpose and a drive for excellence.

Assist Prof Dr. Nagaiah Kambhala | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Nagaiah Kambhala | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Nagaiah Kambhala | Jain (Deemed to be) University | India

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🎓 Educational Background

Dr. Nagaiah Kambhala holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bangalore, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. His doctoral research, completed in April 2017 under Dr. S. Angappane, focused on the synthesis, electrical, and magnetic properties of multiferroics and colossal magnetoresistance materials. He also earned an M.Sc. in Physics with a specialization in Vacuum and Thin Film Physics from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, securing a gold medal for his academic excellence. Dr. Kambhala completed his B.Sc. with a focus on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry from R.V.V.N College, Dharanikota, Andhra Pradesh.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Nagaiah Kambhala has an extensive academic and research background, marked by his commitment to both teaching and innovation. Since April 2019, he has been serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the School of Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore. Prior to this, he was a National Postdoctoral Fellow from June 2017 to April 2019 at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, under the mentorship of Prof. P.S. Anil Kumar. His research journey also includes a tenure as an Institute Postdoctoral Fellow at IIT Madras between December 2016 and April 2017 and as a Provisional Research Associate at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bangalore, from April 2016 to September 2016.

In his teaching career, Dr. Kambhala has delivered courses on topics such as Quantum Mechanics, Material Science, Electronics, and Python Programming, along with laboratory-based practical courses for both M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. He has guided multiple scholars, mentoring over ten M.Sc. theses and supervising five Ph.D. candidates in cutting-edge areas of physics and nanomaterials research, showcasing his dedication to academic excellence and research mentorship.

🔬 Research Interests and Expertise

Dr. Nagaiah Kambhala’s research is centered on pioneering advancements in nano and quantum materials, with a strong focus on their applications in energy and electronics. His key areas of interest include the development of nanomaterials for hydrogen evolution, photocatalysts, and supercapacitor applications, as well as the exploration of the magnetic and transport properties of oxide thin films and multilayers. He has also made significant contributions to memristor and resistive switching studies involving oxides and 2D materials. Furthermore, his work on 2D materials and topological insulators has opened new avenues in spintronic and flexible electronic applications.

Dr. Kambhala possesses extensive expertise in nanomaterial synthesis, utilizing advanced methods like sol-gel and hydrothermal techniques, and in thin-film deposition methods such as DC and RF magnetron sputtering. His proficiency in material characterization encompasses state-of-the-art tools like XRD, FESEM, Raman spectroscopy, and AFM, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the structural and functional properties of materials. His work reflects a seamless blend of innovative research and technical excellence, contributing to the advancement of modern material science.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Nagaiah Kambhala has received numerous accolades for his exceptional contributions to research and academia. Notably, he was honored with the International Best Researcher Award in 2024 by the Asia International Research Awards. He has also been recognized as an Editorial Board Member of the American Journal of Nano Research and Applications. His academic excellence was evident early in his career when he was awarded the Gold Medal for his M.Sc. in Physics at Sri Venkateswara University.

Dr. Kambhala’s research accomplishments include being a recipient of the prestigious National Postdoctoral Fellowship from the SERB-DST, Government of India (2017–2019), and winning the Best Poster Award at the IUMRS-ICA-2013 Conference held at IISc, Bangalore. His participation in international conferences has been supported by travel fellowships from DST-SERB and CICS, reflecting the global relevance of his work. Additionally, he holds a lifetime membership in the Materials Research Society of India and has demonstrated academic excellence by qualifying competitive exams such as GATE (AIR-684) and CSIR-NET (AIR-143). These achievements underscore Dr. Kambhala’s dedication to advancing science and fostering innovation.

📚 Teaching and Mentorship

Dr. Kambhala is actively engaged in teaching M.Sc. and Ph.D. coursework, covering subjects like Quantum Mechanics, Material Science, Python Programming, and Electronics. He has mentored over 10 M.Sc. projects (with 6 ongoing) and supervises 5 Ph.D. scholars. His innovative teaching methods include the use of ICT tools, online platforms, and interactive assessment systems like Google Classroom.

🧪 Research Skills and Methodologies

Dr. Kambhala has expertise in a variety of synthesis techniques, including sol-gel, hydrothermal, thin-film deposition, and single-crystal growth methods. His proficiency extends to material characterization tools such as XRD, FESEM, Raman, and AFM. He also specializes in advanced measurement techniques for magnetic, electrical, and multiferroic properties, leveraging tools like MPMS SQUID magnetometers and PPMS.

💻 Technical Skills

Dr. Kambhala is adept in Python programming, data analysis with Origin Pro, and software for x-ray diffraction (FullProf and PDXL2) and AFM data analysis (WSXM). He is also skilled in using ICT tools for education.

🌏 Professional Memberships and Contributions

Dr. Kambhala is a lifetime member of the Materials Research Society of India and serves as an editorial board member of international scientific journals. He actively participates in academic events, contributing to the global research community.

Publications Top Noted📚 

Review on Recent Advances of Nickel Sulfide Nano Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution

Authors: Haridas, H., Somapur, B., Akkera, H.S., Neella, N., Kambhala, N.

Journal: ChemistrySelect

Year: 2024

Sol-gel spin-coated Y-doped SnO2 nanostructured thin films for various optoelectronic device applications

Authors: Kumar, Y., Akkera, H.S., Reddy, G.S., Kambhala, N.

Journal: Physica B: Condensed Matter

Year: 2024

Structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of nano-scaled g-C3N4 materials

Authors: Shibu, A., Dsouza, A., Akkera, H.S., Giresha, A.S., Kambhala, N.

Journal: Applied Physics A: Materials Science and Processing

Year: 2024

Correction to: Influence of Sm3+ doped β‑Ga2O3 thin films on structural, optical, and photoluminescence properties

Authors: Kumar, M.D., Akkera, H.S., Kambhala, N., Ramesh, C.S., Vijaya Kumar, K.

Journal: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics

Year: 2024

Influence of Sm3+ doped β-Ga2O3 thin films on structural, optical, and photoluminescence properties

Authors: Kumar, M.D., Akkera, H.S., Kambhala, N., Ramesh, C.S., Vijaya Kumar, K.

Journal: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics

Year: 2023