Academic Profile 

Orcid | Scopus

Education

Omar Boualam possesses a solid academic foundation in chemistry and engineering, with progressive qualifications that reflect both depth and specialization. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Catalytic Chemistry at the Laboratory of Materials, Processes, and Catalysis for the Environment (LMPCE), affiliated with the Higher School of Technology and the Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, Morocco. His doctoral research revolves around the catalytic oxidation of aromatic pollutants using Moroccan clay-based nanocomposites. Prior to his PhD, he earned a Master’s degree in Applied Chemistry with a specialization in Environment and Sustainable Development from the Faculty of Sciences, Kenitra, graduating with honors. He also holds a Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry and a University Diploma of Technology (DUT) in Process Engineering from EST Fez, both obtained with merit. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics A from Youssef Ben Tachefine High School, where he graduated with honors.

Experience

Omar’s professional trajectory reflects a blend of technical expertise and academic involvement. Since May 2018, he has been working as a Laboratory Technician at the Higher School of Technology in Fez, where he is responsible for preparing and managing lab equipment for process engineering practicals, maintaining chemical stocks, and assisting faculty and students. His duties also include supporting ongoing research initiatives and organizing academic workshops and scientific seminars. Before joining EST, he spent nearly five years at the Official Laboratory for Chemical Analysis and Research (LOARC) in Casablanca, conducting industrial chemical analyses and maintaining analytical instruments. He also worked at Lafarge Cement Plant in Tangier from 2012 to 2013, performing quality control tests on raw materials and optimizing production processes in collaboration with plant engineers. His roles have consistently involved analytical testing, method validation, equipment calibration, and technical reporting, which have honed his skills in laboratory management and research facilitation.

Research Interests

Omar Boualam’s research interests lie primarily in the fields of environmental chemistry, material science, and process engineering. His core focus is on the development of cost-effective and efficient catalytic systems for the degradation of pollutants in wastewater. He explores advanced oxidation processes, such as heterogeneous Fenton and wet oxidation, employing modified natural clays like illite and sediment materials to enhance catalytic activity. His work combines synthesis of nanocomposites, reactor design, and optimization methodologies, such as response surface methodology (RSM) and Box–Behnken design, to achieve maximum pollutant removal efficiency. In addition to practical remediation applications, he investigates analytical method development and validation, particularly in the context of food dye analysis and environmental monitoring. His work is aimed at contributing to sustainable solutions in water treatment, pollution control, and green chemistry.

Awards and Recognitions

Omar Boualam has earned recognition for his scientific contributions and technical innovations. In July 2024, he was granted a national patent for the design and realization of a dual-chamber chemical reactor intended for the treatment of liquid effluents. The system represents a significant step forward in scalable and effective wastewater treatment technologies. He is also active in academic circles, having served on organizing committees of major national and international scientific events, including the International Symposium on Materials, Environmental Sciences, and Hygiene (ISMESH 2024) and the 5th National Energy Day (JNE’24). His administrative and social leadership roles include serving as General Secretary of the Social Works Association at EST Fez and Treasurer of AMSEDD (Moroccan Association of Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development). These positions reflect his commitment not only to scientific excellence but also to community engagement and academic service.

Publications

Dual-sonochemical activation of α-Fe₂O₃@Illite for Fenton oxidation of phenol and real wastewater application

Journal: Chemical Engineering Science (2026)
Authors: Omar Boualam et al.

Recent advances in heavy metals removal using ammonium molybdophosphate composites: A review

Journal: Advances in Colloid and Interface Science (2025)
Authors: Miyah, Youssef; Boualam, Omar et al.

Enhanced catalytic performance of 3%FeCu-HC modified hydrochar for methyl violet 2B removal in the heterogeneous Fenton process

Journal: Next Materials (2025)
Authors: Abderrazzak Adachi; Omar Boualam et al.

Food Dye HPLC-DAD Method Analytical Validation using Box–Behnken Design

Journal: ACS Food Science & Technology (2025)
Authors: Omar Boualam et al.