Associate Professor at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal university, Saudi Arabia
Professional Profile
Summary
Dr. Imen Salah Massoudi is an Associate Professor of Physics at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Saudi Arabia, specializing in materials science and nanostructures. A prolific researcher, inventor, and academic leader, she has significantly advanced the fields of semiconductor physics, photocatalysis, and environmental nanotechnology. Her work bridges experimental nanomaterial synthesis with real-world applications in solar energy and water purification, and she actively mentors emerging scientists, contributes to global scientific forums, and holds several patents in semiconductor technologies.
Educational Details
Dr. Massoudi earned her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Monastir, Tunisia, in 2013, with a focus on III-V semiconductors. She also holds a Master’s degree in Materials, Nanostructures, and Microelectronic Systems (2008) and a Bachelor’s in Fundamental Physics (2006) from the same university. In 2023, she completed a Professional Fellowship in University Teaching and Learning (PFUTL) from the University of Turku (Finland) in collaboration with IAU, highlighting her dedication to academic excellence and pedagogical innovation.
Professional Experience
With over 17 years in academia, Dr. Massoudi began her career as a lecturer at the University of Monastir and advanced through roles at the University of Gabes and University of Tunis - El Manar before joining IAU in 2014. She became Associate Professor in 2019. She serves as principal investigator at the Basic and Applied Scientific Research Center at IAU and contributes to multiple research initiatives in collaboration with institutions across Tunisia, Europe, and the Gulf. Beyond her academic roles, she is a committed scientific organizer and mentor in community and student research development programs.
Research Interests
Her research lies at the intersection of semiconductor physics, nanostructured materials, photocatalytic degradation, dielectric properties, and solar energy conversion. She investigates metal-doped oxides, ternary semiconductors, and nanocomposites for optoelectronic, antimicrobial, and environmental applications. Her pioneering contributions include enhanced ZnO-based materials for water treatment and transparent semiconducting oxides for photovoltaic devices. Her patents and experimental studies address key global challenges in sustainable energy and clean water.
Author Metrics
Dr. Massoudi has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, including Ceramics International, Journal of Materials Science, Emergent Materials, and Physica Scripta, with many indexed in Q1 and Q2 quartiles. Her works consistently address the synthesis, characterization, and functional evaluation of advanced materials, and are widely cited for their originality and cross-disciplinary relevance. She is also an active reviewer, conference organizer, and contributor to scientific workshops and symposia.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Massoudi has received multiple accolades, including the Tunisian National Award in Fundamental Physics (2006), and Scientific Excellence Research Awards from IAU in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025. Under her mentorship, students have won honors for best posters and research projects. She is also a registered inventor with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, holding patents related to semiconductor materials for photocatalytic degradation and wastewater treatment. Her impactful scientific leadership has earned her roles in national science initiatives and international mentorship programs such as the UN Space4Women.
Publication Top Notes
1. Synthesis and Characterization of MoO3 for Photocatalytic Applications
-
Authors: AL Al-Alotaibi, N Altamimi, E Howsawi, KA Elsayed, I Massoudi, ...
-
Journal: Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials
-
Volume: 31
-
Pages: 2017–2029
-
Year: Not explicitly stated, but likely 2021 (based on citation count)
-
Citations: 53 (as of 2021)
2. Photoelectrochemical and Optical Properties Tuning of Graphene-ZnO Nanocomposites
-
Authors: M Salem, S Akir, I Massoudi, Y Litaiem, M Gaidi, K Khirouni
-
Journal: Journal of Alloys and Compounds
-
Volume: 767
-
Pages: 982–987
-
Year: 2018
-
Citations: 46
3. Photoelectrochemical and Opto-electronic Properties Tuning of ZnO Films: Effect of Cu Doping Content
-
Authors: M Salem, I Massoudi, S Akir, Y Litaiem, M Gaidi, K Khirouni
-
Journal: Journal of Alloys and Compounds
-
Volume: 722
-
Pages: 313–320
-
Year: 2017
-
Citations: 46
4. Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Studies of Zn Doped MoO3 Nanobelts
-
Authors: AL Al-Otaibi, T Ghrib, M Alqahtani, MA Alharbi, R Hamdi, I Massoudi
-
Journal: Chemical Physics
-
Volume: 525
-
Article Number: 110410
-
Year: 2019
-
Citations: 42
5. Structural, Optical and Thermal Properties of the Ce Doped YAG Synthesized by Solid State Reaction Method
-
Authors: T Ghrib, AL Al-Otaibi, MA Almessiere, A Ashahri, I Masoudi
-
Journal: Thermochimica Acta
-
Volume: 654
-
Pages: 35–39
-
Year: 2017
-
Citations: 42
Conclusion
Dr. Imen Salah Massoudi is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award given her impressive publication record, innovative patented work, and leadership in semiconductor physics and nanotechnology with practical applications addressing sustainable energy and environmental issues. Her sustained excellence, mentoring, and recognition by national and international bodies underscore her suitability.
Enhancing international collaborations and industry partnerships could elevate her impact further, but her current achievements already represent a high standard of research excellence and academic leadership deserving of such an award.