Sustainable Energy and Carbon Management Center
Dr. Pejman Kazempoor, the Director of SECMC and Associate Professor in AME, is a renowned expert in sustainable energy technologies. His expertise encompasses greenhouse gas management, energy storage, hydrogen energy, carbon capture, and electrochemical energy systems. Prior to his role at the university, he contributed significantly to research and development at Baker Hughes and GE Global Research, focusing on bringing groundbreaking technologies from concept to commercialization. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including BHGE's 2018 Technology Excellence Award. Dr. Kazempoor also serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Gas Science and Engineering-Elsevier and has an extensive publication record in national and international peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Furthermore, he holds multiple U.S. patents regarding advanced technologies to reduce emissions, showcasing his innovative contributions.
Current Members
Jamie Lynch
Lab ManagerÂ
Experienced Maintenance Foreman with a demonstrated history of working in the oil & energy industry. Skilled in Petroleum, Field Operations, Electronic Troubleshooting, Pumps and blending equipment repair, and Electrical Safety. Professional with a Bachelor's Degree focused in Business Administration and Management from Oklahoma State University.
Dr. Abu Yousuf
Research Scientist
PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
His primary research interests include Biorefinery, Bioenergy, Bioremediation, Fermentation Technology, and Waste-to-energy. He published more than 60 papers in reputed ISI and Scopus Indexed journals and 15 book chapters. He is the Editor of FIVE books "Sustainable Alternatives for Aviation Fuels", “Lignocellulosic biomass to Liquid biofuels”, “Microalgae Cultivation for Biofuels Production” and “Bioreactors”, published by Elsevier and "Microbiology of Green Fuels" by CRC Press.
Carlos Pena
Ph.D. Candidate
Machine Learning Modeling, Digital Twin Development, Low-Code Programming, Data Analytics and Data base storage for post Morten analyses.
Hafiz Ahmad Hassan Ph.D. Candidate
Design, analyze, and validate a novel bifunctional chemical looping concept that utilizes a perovskite-based oxide as an oxygen carrier. This innovative approach will be employed to produce chemicals and mitigate CO2 emissions during both reduction and oxidation steps
Zarin Tasnim Mona
Ph.D. Student
Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) , Electrochemical Systems ; Data-driven surrogate models; multi-fidelity modeling frameworks (AI + physics models)
Amin Nematitamar
Ph.D. Student
Flow batteries (redox flow batteries); Advanced Energy Systems, Modeling and Simulation; Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) ,
Leon RasPudic
M.Sc. Student
Hydrogen Energy, Hydrogen Economy, Electrochemical Cells, Combustion Analysis, Modeling and Simulation
Marcoster Auguste M.Sc. Student
Solar Energy Systems, Wind Turbine, Data Analytics , Advanced Sensors
Shannon Mathers
M.Sc. Student
Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, Flare Gas Recovery, Hydrogen Energy, Advanced Energy Systems, Modeling and Simulation
Raelin B. Lane
M.Sc. Student
Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, Space Applications, Hydrogen Energy, Advanced Energy Systems, Modeling and Simulation
Randy Sanderson
M.Sc. Student
Advanced Energy Systems ; AI, Data analytics, Electrochemical Systems
Daniel Vargas
Ph.D. Student
Advisor: Dr. Golnaz Habibi'
(Co-advisor: Dr. Pejman Kazempoor)
Unmanned Aerial Systems, Emissions monitoring and detection, Methane emissions, AI
Undergraduate Students
Kamal Haddad
Kyler Cagle
ALUMNI
Dr. Prabhat Jha
Postdoctoral Fellow
Analyzed in-cylinder CFD simulation of Natural gas engine
Oxygen and NO sensor calibration for two stroke engine.
Used MKS 3200 for exhaust gas measurement.
Used Windrock analyzer for AJAX DPC-80 data acquisition.
Analyzed H2/NG blend combustion in heavy -duty engine.
Current position:
Research Engineer; Southwest Research Institute
Dr. Rajmohan Muthaiah
Research Scientist
- Research and development on advanced materials for solid state hydrogen storage as well as liners/barrier materials for hydrogen storage.
- Research and development on protonic ceramic fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells.
- Research and development on battery material
​
Current Position:
Senior Mechanical Engineer , ASM
​
Javad Asadi
Ph.D. Graduate
Development, optimal integration, and techno-economic analysis of carbon capture systems
- Simulation and mathematical modeling of gas separation processes such as absorption, membrane, and adsorption.
- Dynamic and steady-state modeling of fuel cell and SOEC using Aspen Custom Modeler, acid gas treatment plant in Aspen HYSYS, and membrane-based CO2 capture process using gPROMS
- Simulation of integrated gasification and natural gas combined cycle (IGCC and NGCC) power plant in Aspen Plus and Thermoflex
- Design and modeling of solar energy plants for integration into regeneration column.
Dissertation: Flexible and optimal carbon dioxide capture system design for fossil-fueled power plants (View PDF)
​
Current Position:
Senior Process Engineer, Bloom Energy
Lateef A. Jolaoso
Ph.D. Graduate
Energy Storage, Hydrogen Energy, Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells, Water-Energy Nexus, Modeling and Simulation
​
Current Position:
Energy Storage Systems-Dallas ​
Mohammed A. Moinuddin Ansari M.Sc. Graduate
Machine Learning Modeling, Digital Twin Development, Data Analytics, Vibration Analysis, Advanced Sensors, Combustion Analysis
​
Current Position:
Oklahoma DEQ​
Hafiz Ahmad Hassan M.Sc. Graduate
Combustion Analysis, Advanced Sensors, Emissions Reduction Technologies, Electrochemical Sensors, Modeling and Simulation
Thesis: Integrated System to Reduce Emissions from a Natural Gas-Fired Reciprocating Engine (View PDF)
​
Current Position:
Ph.D. Student , OU
​
Tu Nguyen
M.Sc. Graduate
Hydrogen Energy, Hydrogen- Natural Gas Blending, Combustion Analysis, Modeling and Simulation
​
Current Position:
Oklahoma DEQ​
Jaden Norman M.Sc. Graduate
Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, Flare Gas Recovery, Hydrogen Energy, Advanced Energy Systems, Modeling and Simulation
​
Current Position:
Instrumentation Engineer at CVR Energy
John C. Fischer M.Sc. Graduate
Hydrogen Energy, Hydrogen Economy, Advanced Sensors, Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells, Combustion Analysis, Modeling and Simulation
Hugh Nelson
M.Sc. Graduate
Virtual Sensors, Machine Learning Modeling, Digital Twin Development, Low-Code Programming, Data Analytics , Combustion Analysis, Advanced Sensors
Shadi Habibi
M.Sc. Graduate
Life Cycle Assessment of Advanced Energy Systems
Matthew Hartless
M.Sc. Student
Fuel Cells, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Hydrogen Energy, Advanced Energy Systems, Modeling and Simulation
Undergraduate Students
Megan Fox (2020)-Space Telescope Software Engineer
Kiwon Kang (2020)-LG Electronics
Meghana Fathepure (2021)-MS Student at University of Colorado Boulder
Anderson Zachary (2021)-
Solutions Engineer- Solutions Engineer
ANCORP
Geethika Kollu (2025)-OU
Nifemi Bonou (2024)-OU
Marcoster Auguste (2024)-OU
Necole Begay (2024)-OU
Dino Saradan (2024)-OU
Join Our Team
Invest in Your Future
Welcome to SECM's dynamic research community! We invite applications for exciting opportunities at both M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels, with consideration for self-funded applicants. Our application process is ongoing, welcoming candidates to submit their CV, publication history, and a comprehensive cover letter outlining their research experience and qualifications for the project.
Diversity is a cornerstone of SECM's values, contributing to excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We extend a warm invitation to individuals who can further diversify our community and university.
Successful applicants, whether funded externally or through SECM, should demonstrate exceptional character, organizational skills, and motivation. A strong background in process engineering, energy systems, renewable energy, fuel cells, and batteries is essential. Proficiency in experimental, analytical, and computational skills is expected, with a keen interest in generating publishable results. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable energy research!
Current Open Positions
We are actively seeking post-doctoral fellows and graduate students at both Ph.D. and M.Sc. levels to join our research team. Additionally, we welcome applications from undergraduate research assistants interested in contributing to the following research areas:
​
Open positions
​
-
Undergraduate Research Assistant
