???global.info.a_carregar???
Reza is a researcher dedicated to advancing sustainability through innovative solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration. His research interests include dynamic sustainability benchmarks, eco-friendly technologies, and advanced wastewater treatment systems, with a focus on integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions into sustainability frameworks. He aims to bridge the gap between laboratory innovations and real-world applications, contributing to the global transition toward sustainable development. He holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences and Engineering (awarded with Distinction and Merit) from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, where he developed methodologies to address pressing environmental challenges. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial safety, he gained over a decade of experience in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) management across sectors such as rail, construction, urban development, and energy. He led teams in implementing and auditing ISO management systems (14001, 45001, and 50001), building expertise in operational sustainability and understanding the challenges industries face in adopting sustainable practices. To deepen his knowledge, he pursued a Master’s degree in Environmental Management, specialising in HSE. As an invited lecturer, he supervised undergraduate students in projects related to HSE, honing his mentoring skills and reinforcing his commitment to fostering the next generation of sustainability professionals. His PhD research focused on sustainable NMs for wastewater treatment, addressing inefficiencies in NM production. He developed copper-based NMs using biochar as a natural raw material, reducing chemical use and aligning with green synthesis principles. These nanocatalysts were optimised to treat polluted wastewater using solar irradiation, achieving effective pollutant degradation while minimising environmental impact. He also devised innovative recovery methods to prevent NM release and conducted studies on degradation mechanisms and by-products, bridging advanced nanotechnology with practical environmental solutions. During his PhD, Reza recognised that laboratory innovations often face commercialisation barriers due to insufficient integration with sustainable development principles. This realisation drove him to embed sustainability into all aspects of his work, including evaluating and reporting sustainability metrics to provide actionable insights for real-world applications. As a visiting researcher at KU Leuven, Belgium, he gained valuable international experience, contributing to interdisciplinary projects in sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. He also collaborated with research groups in Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Engineering at the University of Aveiro, adopting a multidisciplinary approach to solving environmental challenges. After completing his PhD, he joined the “AM2R – Agenda Mobilizadora para a Inovação Empresarial do Setor das Duas Rodas” project as an integrated researcher in CESAM. He developed a dynamic sustainability benchmark for the two-wheel industry, incorporating metrics such as emissions, environmental quality, human health, and road safety. This benchmark offered actionable insights to improve environmental performance and included sustainability reporting to enhance transparency. Reza has authored over 11 peer-reviewed publications and presented at international conferences, contributing significantly to sustainability science and environmental innovation. His work has garnered over 350 citations, reflecting its relevance and impact in the field. Reza’s career exemplifies a commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through research, collaboration, and mentorship. With expertise in sustainable technologies, wastewater treatment, and sustainability assessment, he is well-positioned to lead initiatives that drive impactful solutions across industries and promote long-term sustainability
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Mohammadreza Khalaj

Citation names

  • Khalaj, Mohammadreza

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
F41F-761D-2541
ORCID iD
0000-0002-3367-4314
Google Scholar ID
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&tzom=-60&user=oGp3ogQAAAAJ
Scopus Author Id
57197876067

Email addresses

  • khalaj@ua.pt (Professional)

Websites

  • https://www.cesam-la.pt/en/mohammadrezakhalaj/ (Professional)

Knowledge fields

  • Natural sciences - Earth and Environmental Sciences - Environmental Sciences
  • Engineering and Technology - Environmental Engineering - Environmental Engineering

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
English Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1)
Portuguese Elementary (A2) Elementary (A2) Elementary (A2) Elementary (A2)
Persian (Mother tongue)
Azerbaijani (Mother tongue)
Education
Degree Classification
2024/02/22
Concluded
Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente (Doutoramento)
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
"Sustainable copper-based nanostructured materials for the treatment of persistent organic pollutants" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
Distinction and Merit)
2012
Concluded
Enviromental Managment - Health, Safety and Environment (Master)
Major in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Iran
"Assessment of rail buses’ safety critical systems using Functional Hazard Analysis (FuHA) and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA)" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
17.20/20
2006
Concluded
Industrial engineering - Safety Engineering (Bacharelato)
Kar Higher Education Institute, Iran
"Study of a Model for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Management at National Iranian Oil Company" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
15.93/20
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution
Employer
2024/11/01 - Current Contracted Researcher (Research) Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Portugal
2018/09/01 - 2024/02/22 Researcher (Research) Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Portugal
2018/09/01 - 2022/12/31 Researcher (Research) Centro Interuniversitário de História das Ciências e da Tecnologia, Portugal
Universidade de Aveiro CICECO, Portugal
2021/01/01 - 2021/04/04 Visiting Researcher (Research) Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - Technologiecampus De Nayer, Belgium
2016/09/01 - 2018/05/31 Researcher (Research) Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Ambiente e Ordenamento, Portugal
2014/12/01 - 2016/09/01 Contracted Researcher (Research) Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Iran

Teaching in Higher Education

Category
Host institution
Employer
2011/09/01 - 2016/01/31 Lecturer (University Teacher) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2011/06/01 - 2015/07/31 Lecturer (University Teacher) Applied Science and Technology University, Iran
Applied Science and Technology University, Iran

Other Careers

Category
Host institution
Employer
2014/01/01 - 2015/01/01 Carreiras / Categorias Subsistentes Azarestan Saze Sazvar - Company, Iran
2008/07/01 - 2014/01/01 Carreiras / Categorias Subsistentes Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Iran
2006/12/01 - 2008/03/31 Carreiras / Categorias Subsistentes Zanjan Industry Wire - Company, Iran
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2022/11/01 - 2023/01/01 Individual PhD Student Grant
COVID/BD/152992/2022
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro CICECO, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2018/09/01 - 2022/10/31 Individual PhD Student Grant
SFRH/BD/140873/2018
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro CICECO, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded

Contract

Designation Funders
2024/11/01 - Current AM2R - Agenda Mobilizadora para a inovação empresarial do setor das Duas Rodas
Researcher
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Portugal
Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar
Ongoing
2014/12/01 - 2016/11/01 Citizen Health, Safety, and Environmental Promotional Plan at Tehran Municipalities
1
Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Iran
Concluded
2009/01/01 - 2012/09/18 Assessment of rail buses’ safety critical systems using Functional Hazard Analysis (FuHA) and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
1
Master Student Fellow
Outputs

Publications

Book chapter
  1. Khodaparast, Zahra; Jahanshahi, Akram; Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Antibacterial Aspects of Nanomaterials in Textiles: From Origin to Release". In Advanced Textile Engineering Materials, 87-123. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2018.
    Published • 10.1002/9781119488101.ch4
Conference abstract
  1. Khalaj, Mohammadreza; MARIA ISABEL APARÍCIO PAULO FERNANDES CAPELA; Maria Elizabete Jorge Vieira da Costa; Kamali, Mohammadreza. Corresponding author: Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Copper-based nanomaterials to treat soils contaminated by forest fires in Portugal". Paper presented in Reserch Summit, Aveiro, 2021.
    Published
Conference paper
  1. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Health, safety & environment risk assessment at nursing house". Paper presented in First National Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in HSE Citizenship for the Elderly and Disabled, tehran, 2016.
  2. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Risk assessment of rail transport systems using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)". Paper presented in 4nd National Conference on Safety Engineering and HSE, Tehran, 2012.
    Published
  3. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Comprehensive risk management in construction workshops with an approach to reducing accidents in height works". Paper presented in first national safety conference in construction workshops, 2008.
  4. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Provide a model for Crisis management in Emergencies with the Approach of accident in Construction projects". 2008.
  5. Mapar, Mahsa; Khalaj, Mohammadreza; Naserkheil, Somayeh; Hani Asl, Eshagh. Corresponding author: Mapar, Mahsa. "Recommending a model for crisis management in emergencies focusing on construction projects". Paper presented in 1st International Conference on Health, Safety, Environment in Organizations, Isfahan, 2008.
  6. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Importance and necessity of attention to HSE management in coverage Industries". Paper presented in 1st National Surface Preparation Conference at Sharif University, Tehran, 2007.
Conference poster
  1. Khalaj, Mohammadreza; Kamali, Mohammadreza; MARIA ISABEL APARÍCIO PAULO FERNANDES CAPELA; Costa, M. Elisabete V.. "Degradation of Ciprofloxacin Using a CuO/Persulfate Oxidation System". Paper presented in Jornadas CICECO, 2023.
  2. Khalaj, Mohammadreza; MARIA ISABEL APARÍCIO PAULO FERNANDES CAPELA; Costa, M. Elisabete V.; Kamali, Mohammadreza. "CICECO – Two decades of Effort, Commitment, Innovation, and Pride for Society – A Scientometric Approach". Paper presented in Jornadas CICECO, 2022.
Journal article
  1. Khalaj, Mohammadreza; Kamali, Mohammadreza; Aminabhavi, Tejraj M.; Costa, M.Elisabete.V.; Dewil, Raf; Appels, Lise; Capela, Isabel. "Sustainability insights into the synthesis of engineered nanomaterials - Problem formulation and considerations". Environmental Research 220 (2023): 115249. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.115249.
    10.1016/j.envres.2023.115249
  2. Mohammadreza Kamali; Yongtao Xue; Mohammadreza Khalaj; Bodhi Laats; Ruben Teunckens; Matthias Verbist; Maria Elisabete V. Costa; et al. "ZnO/¿-Fe2O3/Bentonite: An Efficient Solar-Light Active Magnetic Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Pharmaceutical Active Compounds". Molecules (2022): https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/10/3050.
    10.3390/molecules27103050
  3. Zhang, Siyu; Wang, Hao; Zhou, Yuexi; Kamali, Mohammadreza; He, Xuwen; Khalaj, Mohammadreza; Xia, Yu. "Catalytic Ozonation of the Secondary Effluents from the Largest Chinese Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment Plant—A Stability Assessment". Sustainability 14 4 (2022): 2200. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14042200.
    10.3390/su14042200
  4. Kamali, Mohammadreza; Khalaj, Mohammadreza; Costa, M. Elisabete V.; Capela, Isabel; Aminabhavi, Tejraj M.. "Optimization of kraft black liquor treatment using ultrasonically synthesized mesoporous tenorite nanomaterials assisted by Taguchi design". Chemical Engineering Journal 401 (2020): 126040. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126040.
    10.1016/j.cej.2020.126040
  5. Mohammadreza Khalaj. "Green synthesis of nanomaterials - A scientometric assessment". Journal of Cleaner Production 267 (2020): 122036-122036. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122036.
    10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122036
  6. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Underground carbon dioxide sequestration for climate change mitigation – A scientometric study". Journal of CO2 Utilization (2019): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2019.05.022.
    10.1016/j.jcou.2019.05.022
  7. Jahanshahi, Akram; Kamali, Mohammadreza; Khalaj, Mohammadreza; Khodaparast, Zahra. "Delphi-based prioritization of economic criteria for development of wave and tidal energy technologies". Energy 167 (2019): 819-827. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.11.040.
    Published • 10.1016/j.energy.2018.11.040
  8. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Additive and additive-free treatment technologies for pulp and paper mill effluents: Advances, challenges and opportunities". Water Resources and Industry (2019): https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2212371717300707.
    10.1016/j.wri.2019.100109
  9. Khalaj, M.; Kamali, M.; Khodaparast, Z.; Jahanshahi, A.. "Copper-based nanomaterials for environmental decontamination – An overview on technical and toxicological aspects". Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 148 (2018): 813-824. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85035804003&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.060
  10. Kamali, M.; Alesheikh, A.A.; Alavi Borazjani, S.A.; Jahanshahi, A.; Khodaparast, Z.; Khalaj, M.. "Delphi-ahp and weighted index Overlay-GIS approaches for industrial site selection case study: Large extractive industrial units in Iran". Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning 8 2 (2017): 99-105. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85042443527&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.24193/JSSP.2017.2.03
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. "Sustainable copper-based nano-structured materials for the treatment of persistent organic pollutants". PhD, Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Ambiente e Ordenamento, 2024. http://koha.ua.pt/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=318351.
  2. "Assessment of rail buses’ safety critical systems using Functional Hazard Analysis (FuHA) and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA)". Master, Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, 2012.
Activities

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role
Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2012/09/01 - 2015/07/01 Supervised 18 undergraduate students in Industrial Safety Engineering for their internship course in different industries
Supervisor
Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2013/06/01 - 2015/06/30 Supervised 12 undergraduate students in Industrial Safety Engineering for their project course
Supervisor
industerial safety (Degree)
Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role)
Institution / Organization
2014/12/01 - 2016/09/01 co-organiser of the first national conference on health, safety and environment management in the field of HSE citizenship for the elderly and disabled (2015/12/20 - 2015/12/20)
Conference (Co-organisor)

Ad Hoc journal article review

Journal title (ISSN) Publisher
2024/10 - Current Discover Public Health Springer Nature

Committee member

Activity description
Role
Institution / Organization
2014/12 - 2016/11 Occupational Health and Safety Committee
Coordinator
Azadi Pouya Plast Packaging Industry Co, Iran
2014/01 - 2014/12 Occupational Health and Safety Committee
Advisor / Consultant
Azarestan Saze Sazvar - Company, Iran
2012/09 - 2014/01 Energy Management Committee
Coordinator
Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Iran
2008/07 - 2014/01 Occupational Health and Safety Committee
Director
Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Iran

Consulting

Activity description Institution / Organization
2014/12 - 2016/11 HSE and Energy management advisor at Azadi Pouya Plast Packaging Industry Co: Tehran, Iran Azadi Pouya Plast Packaging Industry Co, Iran
2014/12 - 2016/11 Project manager, HSE monitoring project of Tehran Municipality contractors, municipality of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Tehran Municipality, Iran
2014/01/01 - 2015/01/01 HSE Advisor to the CEO (Health, Safety, and Environment). Azarestan Saze Sazvar - Company, Iran
2012/09 - 2014/01 HSE(Health, safety, Environment) and Energy manger at Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Abhar, Iran Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Iran
2013 - 2013 HSE Consulting in the Takestan Wind Power Plant Project https://nasbniroo.com/home-english/ Nasb niroo, Iran
2008/07 - 2012/09 HSE(Health, safety, Environment) and Energy Expert at Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Abhar, Iran Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Iran
2006 - 2007 Quality Assurance expert Zanjan Industry Wire - Company, Iran

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2016/04 - 2016/06 Contractors Health, safety, and Environmental Management Systems (Curso de Especialização Tecnológica) Tehran Municipality, Iran
2014/09/01 - 2015/07/01 Labor lows and relation (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2013/09/01 - 2015/07/01 safety engineering (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2012/09/01 - 2015/07/01 Safety in the transport of the materials and public services (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2011/09/22 - 2015/06/30 Health, Safety and Environment Professional courses (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2011/09/01 - 2015/06/30 Professional courses in Safety engineering and HSE management (Bachelor) Applied Science and Technology University, Iran
2015/02 - 2015/05 Health, safety, and environmental Audit Tehran Municipality, Iran
2013/09/01 - 2014/07/01 safety lab (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2013/09/01 - 2014/07/01 Building and mine safety (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2012/09/01 - 2014/07/01 Human factor enginnering (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2011/09/01 - 2013/07/01 Safety and Health low and standard (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2011/09/01 - 2012/07/01 Protection against ionizing rays (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
2010 - 2012 Safety and Health laws and regulations (Bachelor) Applied Science and Technology University, Iran
2011 - 2011 Observation of Ergonomic in work place (Bachelor) Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Iran
2010 - 2011 Industrial safety and Health (Bachelor (1st cycle)) Iranian Rail Industries Development Co, (IRICO), Iran
Distinctions

Award

2018 PhD Grant
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal

Title

2024 PhD degree with Distinction and Merit
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Other distinction

2018 Best HSE expert in Zanjan province of Iran
2016 The first rank of the environmental engineering doctoral course at the University of Aveiro