PhD student in chemistry at UCD,Morocco
Mrs. Meriem Essakhraoui is a highly promising PhD student in Materials Chemistry whose research bridges academia and industry through impactful collaborations and applied innovations. With hands-on experience at major industrial organizations such as OCP Jorf-Lasfar, Jorf Fertilizer Company I, and COSUMAR, she has contributed to solving critical challenges in phosphate processing, heavy metal removal, and phosphoric acid purification. Her international research internship at Sapienza University of Rome and publications in high-impact journals like Applied Sciences and Journal of Cleaner Production reflect her ability to translate academic research into industrial solutions. She is well-versed in ISO and safety standards and has a strong command of analytical techniques and digital tools. Her multilingual skills and international exposure enhance her collaborative abilities. While further leadership in joint academic-industry projects would strengthen her profile, her existing achievements clearly demonstrate her excellence in academic–industry collaboration and her strong potential to drive innovation in sustainable industrial chemistry.
Professional Profile
Education🎓
Mrs. Meriem Essakhraoui holds a strong academic background in chemistry, with a focus on materials and industrial applications. She earned her Master’s degree in Bioactive Molecules Chemistry with distinction (“mention Bien”) from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, where she developed a solid foundation in chemical synthesis and analysis. Currently pursuing a PhD in Materials Chemistry, her doctoral research is centered on environmental sustainability and the valorization of phosphate by-products, integrating both theoretical and applied aspects of industrial chemistry. She expanded her academic experience through an international research internship at Sapienza University of Rome (2022–2024), where she worked on advanced methods for removing impurities and heavy metals from phosphate-derived materials. Her education has been further enriched by technical training in areas such as separation techniques, purity control, and advanced instrumentation, as well as safety and quality standards like ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001. This educational journey reflects her commitment to scientific excellence and innovation.
Professional Experience📝
Mrs. Meriem Essakhraoui has gained diverse and impactful professional experience that bridges academic research with industrial application. She began her career with a Quality, Safety, and Environment (QSE) internship at COSUMAR in Casablanca, where she managed chemical risk assessments and updated safety data sheets. In 2019, she served as an R&D trainee at OCP Jorf-Lasfar’s Research and Development Unit, focusing on cadmium removal from phosphoric acid and the synthesis of cadmium chelating molecules—critical processes in phosphate purification. She further honed her industrial skills at Jorf Fertilizer Company I (JFC1), where she validated analytical methods and optimized operating parameters for phosphoric acid production. Most recently, she undertook a two-year international research internship at Sapienza University of Rome, contributing to projects on material activation for impurity removal and heavy metal treatment in Wet Process Acid. Her professional background reflects a consistent focus on environmental sustainability, chemical innovation, and industry-relevant research applications.
Research Interest🔎
Mrs. Meriem Essakhraoui’s research interests lie at the intersection of materials chemistry, industrial processes, and environmental sustainability. Her primary focus is on the valorization of phosphate by-products and the treatment of industrial waste, particularly in the phosphate fertilizer sector. She is deeply engaged in developing innovative methods for the removal of heavy metals, such as cadmium, from phosphoric acid using organophosphorus compounds and other chelating agents. Her work also explores the chemical and biological activation of materials to enhance impurity filtration and optimize resource recovery from industrial waste streams. She is particularly interested in sustainable technologies that promote circular economy principles, such as the reuse and safe management of phosphogypsum. In addition, she has a growing interest in solvent extraction techniques for rare earth elements from acidic media. Overall, her research aims to develop practical, eco-friendly solutions that address critical industrial and environmental challenges, while contributing to greener manufacturing processes.
Award and Honor🏆
Mrs. Meriem Essakhraoui has been recognized for her dedication to scientific excellence and her impactful contributions to both academic and industrial research. As a PhD student, she has co-authored several publications in prestigious international journals, such as Applied Sciences, Journal of Cleaner Production (Elsevier), and Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, reflecting the high quality and relevance of her work. She has also presented her research at renowned international conferences, including the 3rd ENA Workshop in Rome and the 11th International Advances in Applied Physics & Materials Science Congress in Turkey, highlighting her active participation in the global scientific community. Her selection for a long-term research internship at the Department of Chemistry of Materials at Sapienza University of Rome stands as a testament to her academic merit and collaborative potential. These achievements underscore her growing recognition as a promising researcher committed to addressing industrial and environmental challenges through chemistry.
Research Skill🔬
Mrs. Meriem Essakhraoui possesses a comprehensive set of research skills that span experimental, analytical, and computational domains within materials and industrial chemistry. She is proficient in a wide range of laboratory techniques, including separation methods such as vacuum filtration, distillation, decanting, and evaporation, as well as purification techniques like recrystallization and thin-layer chromatography. Her expertise extends to advanced physico-chemical characterization tools such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). She is also skilled in purity control methods, including melting point determination and refractive index analysis. Beyond the lab, she is well-versed in safety and quality systems, including ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 standards. Her computing abilities cover Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, Adobe Suite, SQL, and Visual Basic, supporting data analysis and technical documentation. This strong technical foundation enables her to conduct multidisciplinary research that addresses both scientific and industrial challenges effectively.
Conclusion💡
Mrs. Meriem Essakhraoui is a very strong contender for the Excellence in Academic–Industry Collaboration Award. Her research is highly applied, industry-relevant, and conducted in real partnership with major industrial actors. She has already built an impressive track record for someone at the PhD level. Strengthening her portfolio with more formalized partnerships and leadership roles would further solidify her status as a leading figure in academic–industry collaboration.
Publication Top Noted✍
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Title: White-box methodologies for achieving robust correlations in hydrogen storage with metal-organic frameworks
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Authors:
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Year: 2025
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Journal: Scientific Reports
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Citation (APA Style):
Naghizadeh, A., Hadavimoghaddam, F., Atashrouz, S., Abedi, A., Essakhraoui, M., Mohaddespour, A., & Hemmati Sarapardeh, A. (2025). White-box methodologies for achieving robust correlations in hydrogen storage with metal-organic frameworks. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 87495. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87495-6
