Accomplished researcher with extensive expertise in scientific research and academic publishing. Demonstrates proficiency in literature review mastery, advanced spectroscopy utilization, and microscopy techniques. Known for research integrity and ethical conduct, with a strong focus on result-oriented outcomes. Experienced in postgraduate teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing to innovative research design methods. Adept at instrument calibration and maintenance, as well as delivering impactful conference presentations. The research done so far lies at the intersection of materials science and sustainable technology development. I investigate how material architecture, surface properties, and interfacial phenomena influence performance, stability, and efficiency in advanced functional systems. By integrating synthesis, characterization, and targeted application testing, I develop materials that address pressing challenges in clean energy and environmental sustainability.
Hi, I’m
Sarah Hamdan
Summary
Overview
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Khalifa University Abu Dhabi, UAE
Graduate Researcher and Teaching Assistant
08.2022 - 05.2026
Job overview
Enhanced lesson plan effectiveness through thorough preparation of equipment and technology, ensuring smooth class operations.
Boosted research project outcomes by providing dedicated instructional support to students.
Elevated student learning experiences by actively contributing to educational research initiatives.
Sultan Qaboos University Muscat , Oman
Research Assistant
01.2022 - 04.2022
Job overview
Prepared a structured research study titled The Role of Scientific Research in Nanotechnology and Hydrogen Production: Towards Building a Knowledge-Based Economy.
Strengthened skills in critical literature analysis, scientific writing, and interdisciplinary research synthesis.
Education
Khalifa University
Doctor of Philosophy from Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
05.2026
University Overview
- Awarded DTRS Scholarship
- Dissertation in Cocatalyst and Charge-Transfer Effects for Solar Hydrogen Production: From Model Metal–Loaded TiO2 to Complex MXene-Derived Quantum Dots Heterostructures. CGPA: 3.63.
- Had the privilege of working under the guidance of Prof. Giovanni Palmisano, Prof. Lourdes Vega, Dr. Khalid Al-Ali and Dr. Ahmed Yusuf.
Sultan Qaboos University
Master of Science from Chemical Engineering
02.2022
University Overview
- Awarded SQU Scholarship
- Dissertation in Dairy Wastewater Treatment with Direct-Contact Membrane Distillation in Oman (CGPA: 3.4). Honored to work under the supervision of Dr. Mohammed Al-Abri, Dr. Jamal Al- Sabahi, Dr. Belal Abu Tarboush, and Dr. Suleiman Al-Obeidani.
Sohar University
Bachelor of Science from Chemical and Process Engineering
06.2017
University Overview
- Awarded Full Scholarship
- Thesis: Study on Effect of Surfactants on Hydrodynamics of Airlift Bioreactors. (CGPA: 3.2) Under the guidance of Dr. Ahmed Jawad Al-Dallal.
Skills
- Literature review mastery
- Scientific research expertise
- Ethical conduct
- Academic publishing knowledge
- Advanced spectroscopy utilization
- Instrument calibration and maintenance
- Conference presentations
- Laboratory techniques
- Postgraduate teaching
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Oral presentation techniques
- Experienced in laboratory characterization:
Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray
Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM), Energy-
Dispersive X-Ray
Spectroscopy (EDX),
Transmission Electron
Microscopy (TEM), UV-VIS
Spectroscopy, Electron
Paramagnetic Resonance
(EPR), X-Ray Photoelectron
Spectroscopy (XPS), Potentiostat/Galvanostat, Surface Area and Pore Size Analyzer (BET), and Gas
Chromatography-Mass
Spectrometry (GC-MS) - Proficient in engineering
software and Computer
programs skills: Aspen
HYSYS, HighScore Plus, Shimadzu Labsolutions, Avantage, ImageJ, and Origin Pro
Languages
English
Arabic
Leadership, Outreach, and Professional Engagement
Leadership, Outreach, and Professional Engagement
Session Chair, GSRC Conference, 2024
Prototype Presenter, ADIPEC Young, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2025
Master of Ceremonies (MC), Women in Science Event, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2025
Master of Ceremonies (MC), YEFL Event, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2025
Participant, Doctoral Sprint Program, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2026
Publications
Publications
Hamdan, S. W., Yusuf, A. O., Othman, I., Al Jitan, S., Helal, M. I., Žerjav, G., Pintar, A., Vega, L. F., Al-Ali, K., & Palmisano, G. Ti3C2 MXene quantum dots-modified 2D/3D Ni2P/Zn0.5Cd0.5S heterostructures for efficient solar-driven hydrogen evolution. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 14(2), 121851 (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2026.121851.
Hamdan, S. W., Wigglesworth, M. J., Muscetta, M., Ma, R., Helal, M. I., Martsinovich, N., Palmisano, G., & Vernuccio, S. Unravelling the photoactivity of metal-loaded TiO2 for hydrogen production: Insights from a combined experimental and computational analysis. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 118, 394–406 (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.184.
Kanwal, T., Pecoraro, C. M., Palmisano, G., Hamdan, S., Wang, Z., Palmisano, L., Loddo, V., & Bellardita, M. (2025). Photocatalytic environmental remediation by bismuth oxyhalides-TiO2 composites: Pharmaceuticals and pollutants degradation. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 76, 108219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.108219
Kanwal, T., Loddo, V., Pecoraro, C. M., Palmisano, G., Hamdan, S., Wang, Z., Othman, I., Palmisano, L., & Bellardita, M. (2025). Solar driven photocatalytic glycerol and glucose reforming via noble metals free BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I)-TiO2 composites. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 47, e01825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01825
Hamdan, S., Al-Ali, K., Vega, L. F., Muscetta, M., Yusuf, A. O., & Palmisano, G. Zinc cadmium sulphide (ZnxCd1-xS)-based photocatalysts for hydrogen production from seawater and wastewater. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 12(5), 113937 (2024). Review article. DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2024.113937.
Hamdan, S. et al. (2024) ‘Dairy wastewater treatment with direct-contact membrane distillation in Oman’, Desalination and Water Treatment, 320, p. 100672. doi:10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100672.
Conferences
Conferences
Hamdan, S., Al-Ali, K., Vega, L.,Yusuf, A., Palmisano, G., Ti3C2 MXene Quantum Dots-Modified 2D/3D Ni2P/Zn0.5Cd0.5S Heterostructures for Efficient Solar-Driven Hydrogen Evolution. Annual Khalifa University Chemical Engineering Postgraduate Conference 2025.
Hamdan, S., Al-Ali, K., Vega, L.,Yusuf, A., Palmisano, G., Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production from Water Splitting over Zn0.5Cd0.5S. UAE Graduate Students Research Conference (GSRC 2024), UAE, April 2024.
Hamdan, S., Al-Ali, K., Vega, L.,Yusuf, A., Palmisano, G., Ni2P co-catalyst decorated Zn0.5Cd0.5S: A synergistic dual-functional photocatalyst for H2 evolution and Butyric acid degradation. 12th European Conference on Solar Chemistry and Photocatalysis: Energy and Environmental Applications (SPEA12), Ireland, June 2024.
Languages
Languages
6,IELTS overall score of 7 ,4Student Supervision and Mentoring
Student Supervision and Mentoring
Research Mentor for Undergraduate Summer Intern
Khalifa University | Summer 2024
Provided intensive hands-on training to a final-year BSc student during a summer internship. Mentored the student in experimental procedures, materials synthesis methods, and laboratory practice, supporting their research training and technical development.
References
References
References available upon request.Timeline
Graduate Researcher and Teaching Assistant
Khalifa University
08.2022 - 05.2026
Research Assistant
Sultan Qaboos University
01.2022 - 04.2022
Khalifa University
Doctor of Philosophy from Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Sultan Qaboos University
Master of Science from Chemical Engineering
Sohar University
Bachelor of Science from Chemical and Process Engineering