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I am an environmental scientist and engineer whose work connects environmental science, sustainability assessment, and applied decision-support for real-world systems. My research centres on the development and evaluation of sustainable technologies and analytical frameworks for wastewater treatment, environmental performance assessment, and resource-constrained organisations, integrating environmental, economic, and operational considerations into sustainability-oriented decision-making. My scientific activity has resulted in twelve peer-reviewed journal articles, spanning experimental, methodological, and assessment-oriented research in environmental engineering, sustainability science, and process safety. I have taken a leading first-author or corresponding-author role in many of these studies, addressing topics such as the sustainable synthesis and application of advanced materials for wastewater treatment, the operational stability and feasibility of treatment technologies, and the definition of sustainability criteria that support environmentally responsible technology deployment. Several of these contributions have been taken up by other researchers and have served as reference points in subsequent studies on sustainable wastewater treatment and environmental performance. In addition, I have contributed to one book chapter as a corresponding author and have actively disseminated research findings through international conferences and poster communications in environment- and sustainability-focused venues. Alongside experimental research, I have developed and applied sustainability-oriented assessment methodologies, including multi-criteria decision frameworks and indicator-based approaches, designed to connect laboratory innovation with real-world implementation. This direction reflects my broader research motivation: translating environmental responsibility into practical, implementable solutions that remain feasible for industry and policy stakeholders. Across my work, I consistently integrate sustainability assessment criteria into technology development and evaluation, ensuring that environmental innovations are examined not only for technical performance but also for their real-world feasibility and policy relevance. My research has been carried out in an international context, involving collaborations with research teams across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and spanning multiple disciplinary perspectives, including environmental engineering, materials science, chemistry, and sustainability assessment. These collaborations have led to a high level of international co-authorship and have strengthened my ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary, multicultural research environments. Alongside my research activities, I support the development of early-career researchers through informal supervision and mentoring, and I contribute to the peer-review process as a reviewer and editor for international scientific journals. In recent years, my research trajectory has increasingly focused on sustainability assessment and systems-based analysis, particularly in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises and other resource-constrained organisations. Through participation in applied research projects and direct engagement with industry, I have identified the limitations of static environmental assessments and have begun integrating systems thinking, modelling approaches, and sustainability indicators to support evidence-based decision-making at the science–policy–industry interface. Overall, my academic profile reflects a coherent progression from sustainability-oriented environmental engineering research toward integrative sustainability assessment frameworks and policy-relevant decision-support tools. This trajectory positions me to lead interdisciplinary research on complex environmental challenges, combining analytical work with international collaboration and a clear focus on societal relevance.
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 Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1)
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
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
2024/11/01 - Current AM2R – Agenda Mobilizadora para a Inovação Empresarial do Setor das Duas Rodas
Researcher
Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Portugal
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; Triane, Beatriz. Corresponding author: Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "A scientometric study of worldwide research on sustainability assessment". Budapest, 2025.
    Published
  2. Triane, Beatriz; Khalaj, Mohammadreza. Corresponding author: Triane, Beatriz. "Towards Dynamic Sustainability Assessment in Two-wheels Industry: Benchmarking Approach". Budapest, 2025.
    Accepted
  3. Triane, Beatriz; Rafael, Sandra; Khalaj, Mohammadreza; Margarida Cabrita Coelho; Pedro Almeida; Ana Isabel Couto Neto da Silva Miranda. Corresponding author: Triane, Beatriz. "Materiality in the Bicycle Industry: An Analysis of Corporate Sustainability Reports". Paper presented in 11th International Conference on CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, Lisbon, 2025.
    Accepted
  4. 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; Costa, M. Elisabete V.; Deuermeier, Jonas; Capela, Isabel. Corresponding author: Khalaj, Mohammadreza. "Catalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin Using CuO Persulfate Oxidation System—Kinetics and Mechanisms". Water 17 24 (2025): 3550. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17243550.
    Published • 10.3390/w17243550
  2. Khalaj, Mohammadreza; Kamali, Mohammadreza; Estrada, Ana C.; Sh.Rasekh; Trindade, Tito; Aminabhavi, Tejraj M.; Sobolev, Nikolai A.; et al. "Mechanistic analysis of photocatalytic transformation of naphthalene using a nano-O-doped-g-C3N4-CuO n-p heterojunction". Process Safety and Environmental Protection 195 (2025): 106794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2025.106794.
    10.1016/j.psep.2025.106794
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. Kamali, M.; Alesheikh, A.A.; Alavi Borazjani, S.A.; Jahanshahi, A.; Khodaparast, Z.; Khalaj, M.. Corresponding author: 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
Report
  1. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. 2026. RELATÓRIO TÉCNICO-CIENTÍFICO - AGENDAS PARA A INOVAÇÃO EMPRESARIAL.
  2. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. 2025. RELATÓRIO TÉCNICO-CIENTÍFICO - AGENDAS PARA A INOVAÇÃO EMPRESARIAL.
  3. Khalaj, Mohammadreza. 2024. Processos Produtivos e Indicadores de Sustentabilidade CARACTERIZAÇÃO DOS PROCESSOS E INDICADORES AMBIENTAIS ASSOCIADOS.
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
2025/11/01 - Current Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management (1535-3966) Wiley
2025/02/16 - Current Nanotechnology for Environmental Engineering (2365-6387) Springer Nature
2025/02/01 - Current BioNanoScience (2191-1649) Springer Nature
2024/12/13 - Current Journal of Safety and Sustainability ElSEVIER
2024/10 - Current Discover Public Health Springer Nature
2025/06/01 - 2026/06/30 water ( 2073-4441) MDPI

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
2011/09/22 - 2016/06/30 Health, Safety and Environment Professional courses (Bachelor) Caspian Higher Education Institute, Iran
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
2011/09/01 - 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

2016 The first rank of the environmental engineering doctoral course at the University of Aveiro
2014 Best HSE expert in Zanjan province of Iran