Reza Farzam, Post-Doctoral Researcher

Reza finished his bachelor and master’s degree in Mechanical engineering at the Amirkabir and Sharif University of Technology, respectively. His investigations have been focused on the performance improvement and emission control of the IC engines using experimental and numerical methods. For his PhD program, Reza is working with Hydra Energy Inc. and the University of British Columbia on Hydrogen-diesel dual fuel engine modelling and evaluation of concepts to improve hydrogen utilization.

Mehdi Nikkhah, PhD Student

Mehdi has extensive industrial experience in vehicle and engine development and calibration. He holds a bachelor's degree from Isfahan University of Technology and a master's degree from K.N. Toosi University of Technology. Mehdi joined the VESST team in May 2021 to work with Westport Fuel Systems on gaseous fuel compression technologies.

Navid Balzadeh, PhD Student

Navid has received his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. He also worked for the automotive industry, Mega Motor Company, for three years in Tehran. His research interests include real-world driving emissions (PEMS), clean transportation, engine combustion modeling, and vehicle technologies. Also, for his Ph.D., Navid is working with Westport Fuel Systems and the University of Alberta on the simulation of a hybrid-electric truck concept.

Reza Safavi, PhD Student

Reza has received his master’s degree in Automotive Engineering from RWTH Aachen University. He has worked for the automotive industry, FEV Europe GmbH, for almost three years in Germany. His research interests include real-world driving emissions (PEMS), battery and hybrid vehicles, engine combustion modeling, and thermal system optimization. Also, for his Ph.D., Reza is working on advanced combustion of low-carbon fuels for transportation systems including consideration of optimization for use in hybrid commercial vehicle powertrains. He joined the research team in January 2022. 

Zarqoon Mumtaz, MASc Student

Zarqoon completed her bachelor’s in Chemical engineering from National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan.  Later on, she joined fertilizer manufacturing industry and after working in the energy sector for almost six years, she developed interest more towards sustainable energy systems. Following that interest, she has joined the VESST team to work on hydrogen-diesel dual fuel engine’s after-treatment system with Hydra Energy Inc.

Max Wilson, MASc Student

Max completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Victoria. Max has joined the VESST team to work on hydrogen compression systems working with HTEC.

Kenneth Jobity, MASc Student

Kenneth has extensive experience in the biofuel industry. He is studying the impacts of contamination on biomass gasification. 

Juan Gamarra Quintero, PhD Student

Juan will be undertaking a PhD working with Corix on biomass systems for thermal power production. Max has undergraduate and master's degrees in chemical engineering.