Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zoubida TALEB | Green Chemistry | Environmental Chemistry Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zoubida TALEB , Green Chemistry , Djillali Liabes University, Algeria

Dr. Zoubida Taleb is a dedicated researcher and academic in the Department of Chemistry at Djillali Liabes University, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria. Affiliated with the Laboratory of Materials & Catalysis (LMC), she has significantly contributed to the fields of analytical chemistry, water quality, catalysis, and polymer chemistry. With a passion for environmental sustainability, her research primarily focuses on wastewater treatment using natural and cost-effective materials. Dr. Taleb earned her doctorate in Applied Physics/Chemistry in 2015 and her habilitation in 2021. She has collaborated on numerous international projects and authored several peer-reviewed publications that address pressing global environmental challenges. She actively shares her work via platforms like ORCID, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. Known for her dedication to scientific advancement and community impact, Dr. Taleb continues to lead projects that bridge fundamental chemistry with environmental applications.

Professional Profile :

Google Scholar

Orcid

Scopus

Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Taleb’s scientific contributions center around analytical chemistry, wastewater treatment, natural adsorbents, polymer chemistry, and catalysis—all of which are crucial subfields of environmental chemistry. A significant part of her recent research targets removal of pollutants (e.g., phenolic compounds, Diuron, heavy metals) from olive oil mill wastewater, used vegetable oils, and industrial effluents. This aligns directly with global efforts toward sustainable water treatment. Dr. Taleb has contributed meaningfully to the advancement of environmentally friendly chemical technologies and has collaborated internationally. She bridges chemistry, environmental engineering, and materials science, showcasing interdisciplinary impact—a hallmark of outstanding environmental chemists. Dr. Zoubida Taleb demonstrates exceptional alignment with the objectives of the “Environmental Chemistry Award”. Her research directly addresses global environmental challenges such as water pollution, green remediation techniques, and resource recovery using sustainable, low-cost methods. Her scholarly output, practical impact, and dedication to environmental solutions make her a strong and deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.

🎓Education:

Dr. Zoubida Taleb’s academic journey began with a Baccalaureate in Natural and Life Sciences (1998) in Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria. She then pursued her passion for chemistry by obtaining a Higher Education Diploma in Chemistry (2003) from Djillali Liabes University. Building upon this foundation, she earned a Master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry (2009) from Ahmed Ben Bella, Es-Senia University in Oran. Her pursuit of higher research led her back to Djillali Liabes University, where she was awarded a Doctorate in Applied Physics/Chemistry (2015). Demonstrating academic excellence and research leadership, she achieved the Habilitation (2021), the highest university qualification in Algeria. This extensive and focused educational background has equipped Dr. Taleb with robust expertise in chemical sciences, particularly in polymers, catalysis, and environmental applications.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Zoubida Taleb has over 15 years of academic and research experience in the field of chemistry. She currently serves as a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Djillali Liabes University, where she is also a core member of the Laboratory of Materials & Catalysis (LMC). Her responsibilities include supervising graduate research, conducting innovative projects, and teaching chemistry-related subjects. Dr. Taleb has actively collaborated with national and international researchers, contributing to projects in environmental remediation, adsorption processes, and sustainable materials. She has co-authored numerous high-impact articles and presented her research at various international forums. Her experience spans practical lab work, analytical instrumentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration in areas such as wastewater treatment, polymer chemistry, and surface catalysis. She also mentors students and promotes scientific awareness and innovation within the academic community.

🏅Awards:

While specific awards are not listed in the provided data, Dr. Zoubida Taleb’s career is marked by significant academic accomplishments and recognition through her research contributions. Earning the Habilitation degree in 2021 reflects her expertise and capacity to supervise doctoral research—an honor reserved for highly accomplished scholars in Algeria. Her active participation in high-impact publications, including international collaborations with European scientists, underlines her global academic reputation. Her work has been published in leading journals such as Chem Engineering, Environmental Analytical Chemistry, and Waste Management & Research, often addressing critical environmental issues through green chemistry. Furthermore, her role in multiple projects on wastewater treatment and the valorization of natural materials highlights her commitment to sustainability and innovation. Continued invitations to co-author with globally renowned researchers are testament to her respected position in the field.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Zoubida Taleb’s research integrates chemistry with environmental sustainability, focusing on analytical chemistry, wastewater treatment, natural adsorbents, polymer chemistry, and catalysis. She explores low-cost, efficient techniques such as adsorption and catalytic degradation using Algerian clays, montmorillonite, and activated carbon to remove pollutants from industrial effluents. Her studies address real-world problems like the purification of used vegetable oils, olive mill wastewater treatment, and removal of phenolic compounds and pesticides from water. By emphasizing kinetic modeling and physicochemical characterization, she evaluates the efficiency and mechanisms of adsorption and catalysis. Her interdisciplinary work often combines chemical engineering, material science, and environmental science, promoting sustainable solutions. Collaborations with researchers from Spain, Italy, and France have broadened her impact, making her a key contributor in advancing eco-friendly remediation technologies.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Lead and cadmium removal by adsorption process using hydroxyapatite porous materials

Authors: A. Ramdani, A. Kadeche, M. Adjdir, Z. Taleb, D. Ikhou, S. Taleb, A. Deratani

Citations: 48

2. Mechanism study of metal ion adsorption on porous hydroxyapatite: experiments and modeling

Authors: A. Ramdani, Z. Taleb, A. Guendouzi, A. Kadeche, H. Herbache, A. Mostefai, …

Citations: 13

3. Removal of o-Cresol from aqueous solution using Algerian Na-Clay as adsorbent

Authors: H. Herbache, A. Ramdani, A. Maghni, Z. Taleb, S. Taleb, E. Morallon, …

Citations: 10

4. Electrochemical and In Situ FTIR Study of o-Cresol on Platinum Electrode in Acid Medium

Authors: Z. Taleb, F. Montilla, C. Quijada, E. Morallon, S. Taleb

Citations: 10

5. Physicochemical and microbiological characterisation of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) from the region of Sidi Bel Abbes (Western Algeria)

Authors: S. Djeziri, Z. Taleb, M. Djellouli, S. Taleb

Citations: 7

6. Catalytic degradation of O‐cresol using H₂O₂ onto Algerian Clay‐Na

Authors: H. Herbache, A. Ramdani, Z. Taleb, R. Ruiz‐Rosas, S. Taleb, E. Morallón, …

Citations: 7

7. Discoloration of contaminated water by an industrial dye: Methylene Blue, by two Algerian bentonites, thermally activated

Authors: I. Feddal, Z. Taleb, A. Ramdani, H. Herbache, S. Taleb

Citations: 7

8. Variation of used vegetable oils’ composition upon treatment with Algerian clays

Authors: A. Serouri, Z. Taleb, A. Mannu, S. Garroni, N. Senes, S. Taleb, S. Brini, …

Citations: 6

9.Temperature and pH influence on Diuron adsorption by Algerian Mont-Na Clay

Authors: S. Tlemsani, Z. Taleb, L. Piraúlt-Roy, S. Taleb

Citations: 5

10. Recycling of used vegetable oils by powder adsorption

Authors: A. Mannu, M.E. Di Pietro, G.L. Petretto, Z. Taleb, A. Serouri, S. Taleb, …

Citations: 5

Ms. Nontobeko Simelane |University of KwaZulu Natal | South Africa

Nontobeko Precious Simelane is a driven PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, with a strong background in Materials Science. Known for her dedication to academic excellence, she has experience mentoring students and working as a laboratory demonstrator. She completed her MSc in Industrial Physics with distinction and holds a BSc in Chemistry and an Honours degree in Chemical Technology, specializing in polymer material science. Nontobeko is particularly skilled in polymer synthesis and has contributed to impactful projects and reviews in biopolymer composites. Her work emphasizes sustainable material solutions, bridging scientific research and real-world applications. With multiple publications and conference presentations, she actively contributes to research on environmentally friendly materials, transparent wood, and pollutant-removing biopolymer composites.

Summary of Suitability for Award:

Given her academic distinction, impactful research, and dedication to sustainable development, Nontobeko Precious Simelane is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also addresses environmental challenges, embodying a balance of innovation and responsibility essential for a leading researcher in today’s world.

🎓Education:

Nontobeko’s educational journey in science began with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Pretoria in 2016, providing a strong foundation in analytical and applied chemistry. She then completed an Honours degree in Chemical Technology with a specialization in polymer material science in 2018, where she honed her skills in polymer synthesis and applications. Her MSc in Industrial Physics at Tshwane University of Technology, completed in 2022 with distinction, emphasized practical applications of physics in material sciences. Currently, Nontobeko is pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at the University of KwaZulu Natal, focusing on the development of engineered transparent wood for sustainable construction materials. This educational trajectory has equipped her with comprehensive knowledge in chemistry, materials science, and industrial applications, forming a solid background for her current research in sustainable materials.

🏢Work Experience:

Nontobeko has accumulated valuable experience in academia and research through roles such as Laboratory Demonstrator and Postgraduate Teaching Assistant. As a Laboratory Demonstrator at the University of KwaZulu Natal, she supervises first-year students, ensuring lab safety and understanding of core chemistry concepts. At Tshwane University of Technology, she served as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, conducting physics practicals for first-year students and providing insightful feedback to support their learning. Her research experience includes a Polymer Technology Internship at the National Research Foundation, where she synthesized and analyzed polymer composites, reporting on their thermal stability and mentoring two undergraduates. This combination of hands-on research and teaching experience has made Nontobeko skilled in mentoring, experimental design, and effective communication of complex scientific concepts.

🏅Awards:

Nontobeko’s academic and research excellence has been recognized with several awards. She graduated Cum Laude with her MSc in Industrial Physics from Tshwane University of Technology, reflecting her commitment to excellence with an average of 83%. As a top 15% performer in her faculty, she was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society, an acknowledgment of her dedication and hard work. Her research contributions have been showcased at notable events like the Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium at the University of KwaZulu Natal and the South African Institute of Physics conference, where she presented her work on biopolymer composites and sustainable wood materials. These honors underscore her commitment to impactful research in sustainable materials and her role as a promising young scientist in the field.

🔬Research Focus:

Nontobeko’s research centers on sustainable materials, with a focus on developing environmentally friendly solutions for industry and everyday use. Her PhD research investigates engineered transparent wood as a sustainable alternative to conventional glass in construction, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, her work in biopolymer composites addresses the urgent need for eco-friendly materials capable of removing toxic organic pollutants from pharmaceutical effluents. This research aligns with her commitment to green chemistry, focusing on biodegradable, renewable materials that mitigate pollution and reduce waste. Nontobeko’s work contributes to advancing sustainable technologies, combining her expertise in polymer science with a mission to address environmental challenges through innovative chemistry.