Even though he is still in the process of earning a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of South Florida graduate Ala’a Kababji already holds an extensive set of accomplishments throughout his academic career.

Ala’a Kababji has penned several important academic publications in his field of study, including “Cobalt Catalysts for Use in the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis,” which received monetary backing from NASA. The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is an extremely important process—it helps produce liquid hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which could possibly counter the fuel problems currently gripping the world. The complicated synthesis is usually performed with iron and cobalt catalysts, producing an artificial petroleum replacement that can be used as synthetic fuel.

Ala’a Kababji also wrote, “Hermo Catalytic Hydrogen Production via Oxygen-Free Methane Aromatization,” which received key support and funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Even though Ala’a Kababji hasn’t finished earning his Ph.D., his work is already being noticed in the world of chemical engineering; this is an impressive feat for any student, especially one who began his education in a vastly different culture.

Kababji earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2001. He moved from Jordan to join the University of South Florida’s Chemical Engineering department in 2002, gaining his M.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2004.

While studying at South Florida University, Kababji has remained extremely active in student life and graduate studies, serving as a teaching assistant, research assistant, manager of the University’s Surface Science Laboratory and a member of Omega Chi Epsilon Honor Society for Chemical Engineers.

Ala’a Kababji was honored for his academic accomplishments in 2003 with the University of South Florida’s College Fellowship. Kababji earned the University’s Research Assistantship title in 2004.

Kababji has worked alongside some of the scientific field’s top minds, co-writing, “a-SiC and Pd Modified VPO Catalysts for the Partial Oxidation of n-butane to Maleic Anhydride,” and “Partial Oxidation of n-butane to Maleic Anhydride Using SiC Mixed VPO Catalysts,” with J. Wolan.