Maryam Ishaq | Construction Materials | Excellence in Research Award

Mrs. Maryam Ishaq | Construction Materials | Excellence in Research Award

University of Sulaimani | Iraq

Mrs. Maryam Ishaq is an emerging researcher in geotechnical engineering, cement chemistry, and sustainable construction materials, with a strong focus on integrating waste glass powder into concrete to enhance durability and environmental performance. Her publications explore chemical characterization, ASR mitigation, mechanical behavior, particle size effects, multivariate chemical analysis, and predictive strength modeling in glass-modified concrete. She has contributed to reputable journals such as Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, Reviews on Advanced Materials Science, Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, and Structural Concrete, establishing a promising citation record in a short period. Her work advances the development of greener, high-performance concrete materials through innovative material behavior studies and chemical optimization strategies. Alongside her research, she has gained hands-on engineering experience in road construction projects, contributing to quality assurance, structural performance evaluation, and field-based technical decision-making, further strengthening her applied engineering expertise.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Ishaq, M. B., Mohammed, A. S., & Mohammed, A. A. (2025). Chemical characterization and performance optimization of waste glass-modified concrete for sustainable construction. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 44, 101968.

  2. Ishaq, M. B., Mohammed, A. S., & Mohammed, A. A. (2025). The role of waste glass powder in alkali-silica reaction mitigation: Transforming glasscrete durability through chemical composition dynamics. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 45, 102019.

  3. Ishaq, M. B., Mohammed, A. S., & Mohammed, A. A. (2025). Novel exploration of chemical compounds in mono-variate, bi-variate, and multi-variate scenarios of waste glass powder as a cement replacement in concrete. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 43, 101894.

  4. Ishaq, M. B., & Mohammed, A. S. (2025). Optimizing compressive strength prediction in glass powder-modified concrete: A comprehensive study on silicon dioxide and calcium oxide influence across varied samples. Reviews on Advanced Materials Science, 64(1), 20250095.

  5. Ishaq, M. B., & Karim, F. R. (2024). Effect of thickness of reinforced concrete jacketing on solid reinforced concrete beam’s flexural strength: A critical review. Construction, 4(2), 94–102.

Hisham khater | Cement chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Hisham khater | Cement chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Hisham khater, housing and building national research center, Egypt

Prof. Dr. Hisham Khater πŸŒΏπŸ”¬ is a Professor of Cement Chemistry and Green Building Innovations at the Raw Building Materials Technology and Processing Research Institute, HBRC, Egypt. He supervises the XRF Laboratory accredited by IAS since 2005. Dr. Khater holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry (Cairo University), M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry (Zagazig University), and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (Ain Shams University). His expertise spans 20+ years in material science, geopolymer cement production, and nuclear concrete applications. An active researcher, he has contributed to sustainable building practices and nanotechnology applications, authoring several studies and participating in international conferences. πŸŒπŸ“š

 

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Academic Qualifications

Prof. Dr. Hisham Khater holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Cairo University (1999, with honors). He earned his M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry from Zagazig University (2006), with a thesis on utilizing construction and demolition waste for building unit production. He completed his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at Ain Shams University (2009), focusing on polymer-impregnated blended cement mortar. Dr. Khater became an Associate Professor in Chemistry and Raw Building Materials Technology and Processing in February 2015 and was promoted to Professor in February 2020. His academic journey highlights a dedication to sustainable building materials and innovative cement technologies. πŸŒπŸ—οΈ

 

Professional Experience

Prof. Dr. Hisham Khater brings over 19 years of expertise in material science, particularly in raw building materials and innovative technologies. He is highly skilled in operating X-ray fluorescence spectrometers, differential thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction instruments. His research includes evaluating building raw materials such as bricks, cement, and gypsum, and producing sustainable green materials like geopolymer cement and lightweight bricks from industrial and demolition wastes. Dr. Khater has also contributed to enhancing traditional concrete for nuclear applications and developing high-performance geopolymer coatings. Additionally, he has expertise in laboratory assessments, having helped achieve ISO-17025 accreditation for his lab. πŸ”¬πŸŒ±

 

Research Activities

Prof. Dr. Hisham Khater has led several impactful national studies in Egypt, focusing on the recycling and utilization of building material wastes. Since 1986, he has analyzed cement samples from various factories across Egypt, including Helwan and Tora. His research includes studies on recycling construction waste and industrial by-products, like rice ash, to reduce environmental impurities. Dr. Khater has also conducted studies on siliceous aggregates and bentonitic properties in clay deposits. Additionally, he contributed to the improvement of Egypt’s building raw material map, enhancing the use of local resources for sustainable construction. πŸŒπŸ—οΈ

 

Training Courses

Prof. Dr. Hisham Khater has enhanced his expertise through various specialized training courses. In 2004, he participated in an X-Ray Fluorescence course organized by Trade Link for Technical Supply in Egypt. From December 2006 to May 2007, he attended several key courses at the National Institute of Standards (NIS), including ISO/IEC 17025 Awareness, preparation of test procedures, and methods for managing uncertainty in measurements and test methods. He also gained valuable insights on reviewing laboratory documents and conducting internal audits. These courses have significantly contributed to his expertise in laboratory management and quality standards. πŸ“ŠπŸ§‘β€πŸ”¬

 

Research Focus

Prof. Dr. Hisham Khater’s research primarily focuses on geopolymers and sustainable construction materials 🌍. His work explores alkali-activated binders, including the use of nano-materials like nano-silica, nano-clay, and MWCNT to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of geopolymers πŸ”¬. Additionally, his studies delve into the resistance of geopolymer composites to sulfate attacks, acid exposure, and thermal effects πŸ”₯. Prof. Khater also investigates eco-friendly materials, focusing on waste utilization for sustainable development, such as the use of slag, ceramic wastes, and cement kiln dust 🌱. His work aims to improve material durability and reduce environmental impact 🌎.

Publication Top Notes Β 

  • Characterization of alkali activated geopolymer mortar doped with MWCNT – Cited by: 184 – 2016
  • Effect of calcium on geopolymerization of aluminosilicate wastes – Cited by: 184 – 2012
  • Effect of silica fume on the characterization of the geopolymer materials – Cited by: 175 – 2013
  • Resistance of alkali activated water-cooled slag geopolymer to sulphate attack – Cited by: 92 – 2011
  • Studying the effect of thermal and acid exposure on alkali-activated slag geopolymer – Cited by: 67 – 2014
  • Physico-mechanical properties of high performance concrete using different aggregates in presence of silica fume – Cited by: 66 – 2014
  • Influence of metakaolin on resistivity of cement mortar to magnesium chloride solution – Cited by: 59 – 2010
  • Effect of nano-silica on microstructure formation of low-cost geopolymer binder – Cited by: 54 – 2016
  • Production of geopolymer composites enhanced by nano-kaolin material – Cited by: 53 – 2015
  • Towards a clean environment: the potential application of eco-friendly magnesia-silicate cement in CO2 sequestration – Cited by: 50 – 2020