06/05/2026
𝐔𝐓𝐏 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: #1
From Sudan to Malaysia to Denmark, a journey shaped by curiosity, resilience, and purpose. Meet Dr. Sulafa Abdalmageed, a Chemical Engineering alumna of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalborg University in Denmark, working on Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies. Her journey began in Sudan, where she completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Khartoum. She contributed to establishing Sudan’s first Materials and Nanotechnology Research Centre, where her work earned the Best Student Paper Award at the World Congress on Engineering in London (2021).
Her time at UTP was an important chapter. There, she focused her doctoral research on CO₂ electrochemical conversion to value-added chemicals and fuels, combining experimental and computational approaches to develop innovative solutions for carbon utilization. During this time, she contributed to several peer-reviewed publications and to interdisciplinary collaborations that incorporated artificial intelligence methods into carbon capture and utilization. During this period, she strengthened her research capabilities and developed a high level of academic independence. Beyond research, she actively contributed to teaching and mentoring, enhancing her academic and leadership skills. She expresses her sincere appreciation to her supervisor, Dr. Wan Zaireen Nisa Yahya, for a mentorship style that uniquely balanced kindness and guidance with the freedom to foster both academic growth and independence.
Her work has received ten awards and recognitions, including international distinctions such as 1st Prize at the Green Chemistry Summer School in Venice, Italy (2024), and finalist in the IEEE Generative AI Hackathon (2024). She has also received the OIC Bronze Award and the Best Abstract Award at the Euro-Asia Conference on CO₂ Capture and Utilization. Earlier in her journey, her green electricity project was recognized as a Top 5% Finalist in the African Entrepreneurship Award, a continent-wide competition. She has collaborated with researchers across more than ten countries and has been selected for several highly competitive, fully funded international programs in Germany, Italy, and Turkey. Today, her work continues in Denmark, advancing sustainable energy solutions.
With over eight years of teaching experience, Dr. Sulafa is passionate about mentoring and empowering future generations of engineers. She is also deeply grateful for the continuous support she has received from her family, friends, and mentors throughout her journey across Sudan, Malaysia, and Denmark.
“Knowledge is a responsibility. What matters is not what we know, but how we choose to use it to build a better world for humanity and future generations.”
