Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waqar Ahmad | Nanomaterials | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waqar Ahmad | Qilu Institute of Technology | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waqar Ahmad is a Pakistani physicist specializing in condensed matter physics, optoelectronic materials, and photovoltaic devices, with a focus on perovskite and quantum dot solar cells. He earned his Ph.D. from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, where he later completed postdoctoral fellowships, including the prestigious China Postdoctoral Fellowship and the CAS President’s International Fellowship (PIFI). He has served in academic and research positions at Hazara University, the University of Sialkot, GC Women University, the National Center for Physics in Islamabad, and the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the Department of Physics, Qilu Institute of Technology, China. Dr. Ahmad has published extensively in high-impact journals such as Advanced Materials, Nano-Micro Letters, and Solar RRL, and serves as a reviewer for leading international journals. His research excellence has been recognized with competitive grants and international collaborations across China and Pakistan.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Academic Journey

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waqar Ahmad has pursued an inspiring academic journey marked by excellence and innovation in the field of physics and optoelectronic materials. He completed his Master’s degree in Physics at Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan, where his research focused on diamond-like carbon thin films for surgical tools, showcasing an early interest in applied materials science. Building upon this foundation, he advanced to doctoral studies at the School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, where his Ph.D. research centered on the synthesis, fabrication, and extraction of doped carbonaceous nanomaterials for counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. His passion for renewable energy and materials innovation further led him to undertake a post-doctoral fellowship at the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, HUST, China, where he explored inorganic CsPbI3 perovskites and PbSe quantum dots for solar photovoltaic applications. His academic path reflects a deep commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions through pioneering research.

Professional Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waqar Ahmad has built an extensive professional career through diverse teaching and research roles in leading institutions across China and Pakistan. He most recently served as an Associate Professor at the Qilu Institute of Technology in Jinan, Shandong, China, where he contributed to advanced studies in physics and materials science. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor at the GPL Laboratory, CIOMP, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and also held a parallel role in the Department of Physics at the University of Sialkot, Pakistan, reflecting his global academic presence. His earlier academic appointments include serving as Assistant Professor at GC Women University, Sialkot, and Lecturer positions at the College of Information Technology and the College of Advanced Scientific Techniques in Pakistan. In addition to teaching, he undertook postdoctoral research fellowships at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China and the National Center for Physics in Islamabad, enriching his expertise in condensed matter physics and optoelectronic materials.

Awards

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waqar Ahmad has been recognized with several prestigious awards, projects, and scholarships throughout his academic and research career, reflecting his excellence and dedication to scientific advancement. He was honored with the Chinese Academy of Sciences-President’s International Fellowship Initiative (CAS-PIFI) Visiting Scientist award, hosted by the GPL Laboratory at the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics in China, which allowed him to collaborate on cutting-edge research. He also secured a major research grant of five hundred thousand PKR from the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for his project on “Template Assisted Electrochemical Synthesis of Nanowires to Improve the Efficiency of Energy Storage and Conversion Devices,” a significant contribution to the field of nanomaterials and energy devices. Earlier, he received the Young Scholar Program China Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Additionally, his doctoral studies were fully funded through a prestigious fellowship jointly awarded by the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination of Pakistan and the China Scholarship Council.

Research Focus

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waqar Ahmad’s research primarily focuses on renewable energy materials, optoelectronics, and nanotechnology, with a strong emphasis on the development of next-generation photovoltaic devices. His work covers perovskite solar cells, lead-free halide double perovskites, and quantum dot solar cells, aiming to achieve high efficiency, stability, and environmental sustainability in energy conversion. He has contributed significantly to advancing inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite-based devices and PbSe quantum dot solar cells, which hold promise for tandem solar technologies. Beyond perovskites, his studies extend to dye-sensitized solar cells, counter electrode materials, and nanocomposites, where he has explored the use of carbon nanomaterials, metal oxides, and graphene-based structures for enhanced electrocatalytic activity and device performance. His interdisciplinary approach integrates condensed matter physics, materials science, and green synthesis methods, making his work impactful in both fundamental science and practical applications. Overall, his research contributes to sustainable energy solutions by bridging materials innovation with device engineering.

Publication Top Notes

Lead-free halide double perovskite materials: a new superstar toward green and stable optoelectronic applications
Year: 2019 | Citations: 398

Inorganic CsPbI3 Perovskite‐Based Solar Cells: A Choice for a Tandem Device
Year: 2017 | Citations: 356

Lead selenide (PbSe) colloidal quantum dot solar cells with >10% efficiency
Year: 2019 | Citations: 122

Low-temperature-processed SnO2–Cl for efficient PbS quantum-dot solar cells via defect passivation
Year: 2017 | Citations: 79

High-performance large-area perovskite photovoltaic modules
Year: 2022 | Citations: 73

Enhanced electrocatalytic activity by RGO/MWCNTs/NiO counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells
Year: 2015 | Citations: 52

Conclusion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waqar Ahmad is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, given his strong academic profile, international recognition, and impactful contributions to solar energy and nanomaterials research. With further diversification and broader collaborations, he can continue to make pioneering contributions to the global scientific community.