Hoon Choi | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Hoon Choi | Chemical Engineering| Best Researcher Award

Dr.  Hoon Choi NREL, United States

Dr. Hoon Choi is a distinguished researcher and Staff Scientist-Separation Engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). With expertise in chemical engineering and advanced separation technologies, he has made significant contributions to renewable energy and sustainable materials processing. He holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and has conducted extensive research on chromatographic separations, lithium recovery, and bioprocessing. Dr. Choi has received numerous awards, including the President’s Award at NREL and multiple Key Contribution Awards. As a member of several DOE consortia, he actively collaborates on critical materials and bioprocessing research. His prolific publication record and impactful research make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🌍 Professional Profile:

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🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Hoon Choi’s groundbreaking work in separation technologies and renewable energy innovation positions him as a leading researcher. His contributions to lithium extraction, polymer recycling, and bio-based chemical production have had a transformative impact on the field. Recognized with prestigious awards, including NREL’s President’s Award and multiple Key Contribution Awards, Dr. Choi’s research excellence is well-established. His leadership in DOE consortia and collaborations with top scientists underscore his influence. With a strong publication record in high-impact journals and patents in development, Dr. Choi’s work directly advances sustainable technologies. His dedication, expertise, and research impact make him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

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🎓 Education 

Dr. Hoon Choi holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University (2018), where he studied under Prof. Nien-Hwa Linda Wang, focusing on advanced separation processes. He earned his M.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Yonsei University (2014) under Prof. Kangtaek Lee, specializing in bioprocessing and membrane separations. His B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Yonsei University (2012) provided a strong foundation in reaction engineering and process design. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Choi received numerous scholarships and honors, including the National Science and Engineering Full Scholarship and the Moojin Science and Technology Scholarship. His multidisciplinary education has equipped him with expertise in chromatography, polymer recycling, and sustainable chemical processes.

🏢 Work Experience 

Dr. Hoon Choi is a Staff Scientist-Separation Engineer at NREL (2022–present), leading projects on lithium separation and polymer recycling. He previously served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at NREL (2020–2022), working with Dr. Eric M. Karp on bio-based chemical separations. Before that, he was an engineer at Samsung Electronics Foundry (2019), where he contributed to semiconductor materials processing. His research experience spans bioprocessing, chromatography, and sustainable materials. Dr. Choi’s leadership in DOE-funded projects and industry collaborations has advanced critical material recovery and energy-efficient separations. With extensive expertise in applied research, he continues to make significant contributions to renewable energy technologies and green chemistry innovations.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Dr. Hoon Choi has received numerous accolades recognizing his research excellence. He was honored with the President’s Award at NREL (2024) and Key Contribution Awards for five consecutive years (2020–2024). He received the Director’s Award at NREL (2021) for his outstanding contributions to bio-based chemical processes. Before joining NREL, he was named Employee of the Month at Samsung Electronics Foundry (2019). In academia, he won the Silver Prize in the 2018 Mobile World Scholar Challenge and received a Hanwha Travel Grant for the AIChE Annual Meeting (2018). Additionally, he was a recipient of the Moojin Science and Technology Scholarship and was consistently recognized on the Dean’s List at Yonsei University.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Hoon Choi’s research focuses on sustainable separation processes for renewable energy applications. His work includes developing chromatographic techniques for lithium extraction, designing efficient bioprocessing separations, and advancing polymer recycling through catalytic methods. He integrates machine learning with separation technologies to optimize material recovery. As part of the DOE Bioprocessing Separations Consortium, BOTTLE, and Critical Materials Collaborative, he contributes to national initiatives on circular economy solutions. His research has resulted in high-impact publications in journals such as Energy & Environmental Science and Nature Chemical Engineering. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Choi is pioneering next-generation separation processes for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

  • Choi, H., Alherech, M., Jang, J. H., Woodworth, S. P., Ramirez, K. J., Karp, E. M., & Beckham, G. T. (2024). Counter-current chromatography for lignin monomer–monomer and monomer–oligomer separations from reductive catalytic fractionation oil. Green Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC00765D

  • Choi, H., Soland, N. E., Buss, B. L., Honeycutt, N. C., Tomashek, E. G., Haugen, S. J., Ramirez, K. J., Miscall, J., Tan, E. C. D., Smith, T. N., et al. (2022). Separation of bio-based glucaric acid via antisolvent crystallization and azeotropic drying. Green Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1GC03984A

  • Choi, H., Soland, N. E., Moss, M. R., Liu, J., Prestangen, R. R., Katahira, R., Lee, S.-J., Thorson, M. R., Freeman, C. J., & Karp, E. M. (2022). The cell utilized partitioning model as a predictive tool for optimizing counter-current chromatography processes. Separation and Purification Technology, 120330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2021.120330

  • Choi, H., Harvey, D., Ding, Y., & Wang, N.-H.L. (2018). Constant-pattern design method for the separation of ternary mixtures of rare earth elements using ligand-assisted displacement chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2018.09.056

  • Choi, H., Harvey, D., Ding, Y., & Wang, N.-H.L. (2018). Key parameters controlling the development of constant-pattern isotachic trains of two rare earth elements in ligand-assisted displacement chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2018.05.057

  • Choi, H., Um, K., Im, M., & Lee, K. (2015). A simple method for nanostructure engineering of mesoporous zinc silicate particles. Chemistry of Materials. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm503768j

  • Ahn, H., Kim, T., Choi, H., Yoon, C., Um, K., Nam, J., Ahn, K.H., & Lee, K. (2014). Gelation of graphene oxides induced by different types of amino acids. Carbon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2014.01.033

  • Kang, T., Choi, H., Joo, S.-W., Lee, S.Y., Yoon, K.-A., & Lee, K. (2014). Peptide nucleic acid-mediated aggregation of reduced graphene oxides and label-free detection of DNA mutation. Journal of Physical Chemistry B. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp501820j

Nasma Bouchelkia | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nasma Bouchelkia |Chemical Engineering
| Best Researcher Award

 

Research at Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Algeria

Dr. Nasma Bouchelkia is a Senior Researcher at the Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires (CRTAA), Algeria. She holds a Ph.D. in Process Engineering from the University of Abderrahmane Mira, Bejaia. Her research focuses on wastewater treatment, environmental pollution, adsorption processes, and sustainable industrial solutions. With extensive academic and industry experience, she has published multiple international research papers on water remediation, pollutant adsorption, and advanced oxidation processes. Dr. Bouchelkia is dedicated to developing eco-friendly technologies and optimizing material characterization for environmental sustainability.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Education :

Dr. Nasma Bouchelkia holds a Ph.D. in Process Engineering from the University of Abderrahmane Mira, Bejaia, Algeria (2024). She is also a member of the LGVRNAQ research laboratory at Bouira University. She earned her Magister in Chemical Engineering in 2015 from the same institution. Additionally, she holds both an Engineer’s degree (2012) and a Master’s degree (2012) in Chemical Engineering from the National Polytechnic School, Algiers, Algeria.

 Experience :

Dr. Bouchelkia is currently serving as a Senior Researcher (Class B) at the National Research Center for Agri-Food Technologies (CRTAA), Bejaia, Algeria, since November 2024. Her responsibilities include research and development, collaboration and networking, academic publications, and technology transfer.

Previously, she was a Faculty Lecturer at Akli Mohand Oulhadj University, Bouira (2014–2024), where she taught various courses, including Process Modeling and Simulation, Environmental Analysis and Protection, Drinking Water Treatment, and Analytical Methods.

She also has industry experience, having worked as a Manager at Eurl ELEM Lab (2019–2023) and as a Quality Control Manager (2015–2018) and Quality & Development Engineer (2014–2015) at Cosider-Lafarge Plâtre COLPA SPA. Additionally, she worked as a Sales Agent at Granitex New Products Production Unit, Algiers (2012–2013).

Research Focus :

Dr. Bouchelkia’s research interests revolve around sustainable solutions for industrial and environmental challenges. She is currently engaged in multiple projects, including the valorization of industrial by-products and agri-food waste, green corrosion inhibitors for metal packaging, and plastic food packaging innovations. She is also involved in developing advanced wastewater treatment techniques, such as biological and photocatalytic processes, and investigating nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications.

Skills:

Dr. Bouchelkia possesses extensive expertise in wastewater treatment, environmental pollution, water quality, adsorption techniques, and surface chemistry. She has a strong background in chemical engineering, food chemistry, material characterization, physicochemical analysis, kinetic modeling, and advanced oxidation processes. Her work also focuses on quality control, optimization, and the remediation of heavy metal and dye pollution.

Awards:

Dr. Bouchelkia has been recognized for her contributions to scientific research and environmental engineering. She has published numerous high-impact research papers in international journals, including the Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, and Water. Her work in adsorption and wastewater treatment has been particularly influential, with applications in industrial and environmental sectors.

 

Publication :

  • Bouchelkia, N. (2024). Innovative surface modification of Kaolinite by direct grafting of an anionic surfactant to improve pollutant adsorption and effluent decontamination. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology. [DOI: 10.1080/01932691.2024.2448761]

  • Bouchelkia, N., & Co-authors. (2022). Jujube Stones-Based Highly Efficient Activated Carbon for Methylene Blue Adsorption: Kinetics and Isotherms Modeling, Thermodynamics, and Mechanism Study, Optimization via Response Surface Methodology and Machine Learning Approaches. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. [DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2022.12.028]

  • Bouchelkia, N., & Co-authors. (2023). Study and Characterization of H₃PO₄ Activated Carbons Prepared from Jujube Stones for the Treatment of Industrial Textile Effluents. Processes. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11092694]

  • Bouchelkia, N., & Co-authors. (2023). Efficient and Low-Cost Water Remediation for Chitosan Derived from Shrimp Waste, an Eco-friendly Material: Kinetics Modeling, Response Surface Methodology Optimization, and Mechanism. Water. [DOI: 10.3390/w15213728]

  • Bouchelkia, N., & Co-authors. (2016). Removal of Lead(II) from Water Using Activated Carbon Developed from Jujube Stones, a Low-Cost Sorbent. Separation Science and Technology. [DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2016.1178289]

  • Bouchelkia, N., & Co-authors. (2023). Energy and Exergy Analysis of Solar Air Gap Membrane Distillation System for Seawater Desalination. Water. [DOI: 10.3390/w15061201]

  • Bouchelkia, N. (Under Review). Optimizing Adsorption Efficiency: A Novel Application of SVM_Boosting_IGWO for Methylene Blue Dye Removal Using Low-Cost Fruit Peels Adsorbents. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems.

  • Bouchelkia, N. (Under Submission). Eco-Friendly Adsorbents from Industrial By-Products: Effective Treatment of Synthetic Dye Solutions and Real Textile Effluents.

  • Second Author. (Under Submission). Complete Removal of Cu²⁺ from Wastewater Using Chitosan Derived from Shrimp Shells: A Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study, with Process Optimization and Modeling through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs).

  • Bouchelkia, N. (In Redaction). Valorization of Agri-Food Waste and By-Products in Wastewater for Sustainable Treatment: Case Study in Agri-Food Industry – A Review.

 

 Conclusion

Dr. Nasma Bouchelkia is an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her outstanding contributions in environmental pollution control, wastewater treatment, and adsorption technology. Her extensive publication record, interdisciplinary research, and leadership in academia and industry make her a strong contender.

To further strengthen her profile, she could focus on securing research grants, filing patents, and expanding industrial collaborations. Given her impressive achievements and dedication to solving critical environmental challenges, she is highly deserving of this prestigious recognition.