Faculty

Ahmad Sakhaee-Pour

Associate Professor

I am an engineer with a strong interest in the physics of sub-core-scale processes that govern porous-medium behavior at the core scale. I particularly enjoy developing physically realistic models that apply to real-world problems. I have worked closely with petroleum engineers, geologists, mechanical engineers, chemical engineers, and applied mathematicians over the years, which has helped me to communicate more easily with people from different backgrounds. In my group, we perform experimental, theoretical, and numerical research on different aspects of unconventional reservoirs. We combine experiments with analytical research to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying physics of the problem being examined.

Education and Training

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2012–2014
  • Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2012
  • M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 2007
  • B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 2005

Professional Experience

  • Associate Professor (Joint Appointment), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, TX, 2026–Present
  • Associate Professor, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Houston, TX, 2023–Present
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Houston, TX, 2017–2023

Honors and Awards

  1. Top 2% Most Highly Cited Scientist Worldwide (2021–Present)
    Recognized by Stanford University and Elsevier among the world’s top 2% most highly cited researchers across all scientific fields, based on standardized citation indicators.
    This distinction has been confirmed in the latest 2025 ranking update. 
  2. Annual Outstanding Editor Award, Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 2025
  3. Teaching Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, 2022
  4. Among the Top 10 Most Downloaded Articles, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2012–2015
    (see publications section for details.)
  5. Among the Top 5 Most Cited Articles, Elsevier, 2012–2014
    (see publications section for details.)
  6. GDL Foundation Fellowship Award, 2014