Curriculum Vitae - Sultan Qaboos University

Curriculum Vitae
Osama K. Abou-Zied
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sultan Qaboos University
P.O. Box 36, Postal Code 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (+968) 2414-1468 (Office); (+968) 9955-1937 (Mobile)
Fax: (+968) 2414-1469; Email: abouzied@squ.edu.om
Personal Information
Full Name: Osama Kamal Abou-Zied
Date of Birth: February 1967
Nationality: United States of America, Egypt
Marital Status: Married with two children

1. Education
• B.Sc. Chemistry
Cairo University, Egypt (honors with distinction) (May 1988)
• M.Sc. Physical/Inorganic Chemistry (course work)
Cairo University, Egypt (September 1990)
• Ph.D. Physical Chemistry
University of Saskatchewan, Canada (September 1995)
Dissertation Title: “A Study of the Electronic Spectroscopy and Vibrational
Dynamics of Jet-Cooled Azulene, its Derivatives and van der Waals Clusters”
2. Employment History
Title Institution Period
Associate Professor Sultan Qaboos University May 2009 – present
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Assistant Professor Sultan Qaboos University Aug 2003 – May 2009
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Research Consultant Prima Pharm, Inc. Aug 2002 – Aug 2003
San Diego, CA, USA
Research Associate The Scripps Research Institute Aug 1999 – Aug 2002
San Diego, CA, USA
Postdoctoral Scholar California Institute of Technology Nov 1997 – July 1999
Pasadena, CA, USA
Postdoctoral Research University of Illinois Oct 1996 – Oct 1997
Associate Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
Postdoctoral Fellow University of California Oct 1995 – Sep 1996
Riverside, CA, USA
Teaching/Research University of Saskatchewan Sep 1991 – Sep 1995
Assistant Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Teaching/Research Cairo University Nov 1988 – Aug 1991
Assistant Cairo, Egypt
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3. Awards and Fellowships
• Ph.D. fellowship, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, 1991-1995
• Herzberg award for best Ph.D. student in physical sciences, University of Saskatchewan,
Canada, 1995
• Postdoctoral fellowship, University of California, Riverside, USA, 1995-1996
• Postdoctoral Research Associate fellowship, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign,
USA, 1996-1997
• Postdoctoral fellowship, California Institute of Technology, USA, 1997-1999
• Visiting fellowship in Canadian government laboratories, 1999
• Research Associate fellowship, The Scripps Research Institute, USA, 1999-2002
4. Teaching Experience
4.1. Instruction
Department of Chemistry, Sultan Qaboos University (2003-present)
Course number and title
• CHEM 6631 Topics in Physical Chemistry
Lecture course for postgraduate chemistry students
Subjects: Spectroscopy and dynamics in the excited states
• CHEM 5531 Physical Chemistry III
Lecture course for postgraduate/senior undergraduate chemistry students
Subjects: Molecular spectroscopy and applications
• CHEM 4433 Physical Chemistry II
Lecture course for senior undergraduate chemistry students
Subjects: Molecular spectroscopy (rotational, vibrational and electronic)
• CHEM 4435 Physical Chemistry II
Practical course for senior undergraduate chemistry students
• CHEM 3335 Physical Chemistry I
Practical course for junior undergraduate chemistry students
• CHEM 2107 General Chemistry
Lecture and practical course for medicine major students
• CHEM 2102 General Chemistry
Lecture and practical course for Chemistry major students
Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya (June 2009)
• Graduate Level Course: Advanced Spectroscopy Series Course (Lecture)
Subject: Spectroscopy and Femtosecond Dynamics in the Excited States
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4.2. Supervision of Student Research Projects
Department of Chemistry, Sultan Qaboos University
Undergraduate Research Projects (2003-present)
Supervised the following final-year BSc projects (one student on each project):
1. Binding of Hydroxyphenyl Benzazoles with Human Serum Albumin.
2. Spectroscopic Investigation of Hydroxyphenul Benzazoles in Different Solvents
Concentration and pH Effects on the Steady-State Spectra and Time-Resolved
Fluorescence of Anthranilic Acid.
3. Proton Transfer Mechanism in 3-Hydroxquinoline.
4. Solvent and Caging Effects on the Excited-State Tatuamerization of 2,3-
Dihydroxypyridine.
5. Concentration and pH Effects on the Steady-State Spectra and Time-Resolved
Fluorescence of Anthranilic Acid.
6. Spectroscopy of 2-Aminopurine in Different Solvents and Complexed with
Cyclodextrins.
7. Steady-State and Time-Resolved Fluorescence Study of Drug-Related Molecules.
8. Spectroscopy of Human Serum Albumin in its Denatured State.
9. Probing Different Regions of Lipid Bilayers.
10. Characterization of Subdomain IIA Binding site of Human Serum Albumin.
11. Exploring the Absorption and Fluorescence Spectra of Anthranilic Acid as a Potential
Biological Probe in Solution, Binary Mixtures and in Human Serum Albumin.
12. Caging Effects of Nanocavities of Selected Cyclodextrins on the Spectra of
Anthranilic Acid as a Potential Biological Probe.
13. Steady State Absorption and Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Potential Biological
Probes in Solution and in Human Serum Albumin.
14. Caging Effects on the Ground and Excited States of Potential Biological Probes
Embedded in Different Cyclodextrins.
15. Steady State Spectroscopy of DNA Base Pair Models in Solution.
16. Spectroscopic Study of Benzazole compounds in Binary Mixtures.
17. Spectroscopic Characterization of Novel Molecules as Potential Biological Probes.
PhD Supervision
Student name: Najla Al-Lawati (started February 2009)
Thesis topic: Characterization of Proton Transfer Reaction in Small Molecules
and Their Potential Use as Molecular Probes
MSc Supervision
Student name: Othman Al-Shihi (degree awarded June 2008)
Thesis title: Using Small Probes to Study Human Serum Albumin in Its Native,
Unfolded and Refolded States
Student name: Badriya Al-Busaidi (degree awarded May 2010)
Thesis title: Steady-State and Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of Anthranilic Acid in
Solution and in Human Serum Albumin Protein
Student name: Ghalia Al-Rasbi (started February 2011)
Thesis topic: Spectroscopy of Hydroxyflavones: Their Complexes with the Drug
Carriers Cyclodextrins
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External Supervision
PhD Co-Supervisor with Prof. Rauzah Hashim (Department of Chemistry, University
of Malaya, Malaysia)
Student name: Noor Idayu Zahid (started December 2009)
Thesis topic: Dnamic Studies of a Glycolipid Bilayer Using Tryptophan and
Pyrene Probes
Thesis Chair:
Hilal Al-Shekaili (MSc degree awarded September 2011)
Thesis Examiner:
Butheina Al-Haddabi (MSc degree awarded September 2007)
Zulaikha Al-Harthi (MSc degree awarded September 2008)
Salim Al-Habsi (MSc degree awarded August 2010)
Thesis Committee Member:
Zakia Al-Mawali (MSc degree awarded September 2010)
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5. Research/Professional Experience
Sultan Qaboos University, Oman (Aug 2003-present)
One of the classic problems of physical chemistry is the interactions of probe molecules
with the surrounding medium. It has long been known that solvents exert a profound
influence on chemical systems. Recently the role of solvation in biological systems has
been recognized, for example, the importance of hydrophobic interactions in processes
such as protein folding. I am particularly interested in studying protein-DNA/ligand
binding processes, local hydration, complex rigidity and conformation dynamics. These
studies are very important to drug transport and design, protein folding and unfolding,
and enzyme catalysis. Intrinsic probes, such as the amino acid residues tryptophan and
tyrosine, are characterized in various biological environments to probe electrostatic
interactions. In addition to these natural probes, I also work on designing and testing
novel extrinsic probes that can be used to understand certain chemical mechanisms inside
DNA and proteins such as proton transfer and tautomerization. Such mechanisms are
known to be crucial in changing the genetic code through a local mutation which is the
first step leading to cancer. The probes should possess at least one hydrogen-bonding
center and be close in size to that of natural DNA bases and natural amino acids. By
incorporating these molecules inside different DNA and proteins, we can initiate and
follow proton transfer processes inside biological systems. We can thereby explore
changes in genetic codes and protein functions due to the presence of rare tautomers.
Techniques: My group makes use of the available facilities in our Department such as a
uv-vis Diode Array spectrophotometer for absorption measurements, a
spectrofluorophotometer for fluorescence study and a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer for
proton NMR. A new spectrophotometer is used for determining DNA and protein
concentrations. Picosecond and nanosecond dynamics are measured using a new laser
diodes/light-emitting diodes combination setup. Theoretical modeling such as molecular
dynamics simulations and ab initio calculations are carried out in order to help in
interpretation of the experimental results.
Prima Pharm, Inc., San Diego, California, USA (Aug 2002-Aug 2003)
Provided consulting services to the company regarding various chemical and
spectroscopic-related issues in pharmaceutical as well as skin care product development.
The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, California, USA (Aug 1999-Aug 2002)
Investigated the ultrafast photochemical proton transfer reactions of optical probes
incorporated in DNA duplexes. The research explored the storage and transfer of
biological information and the mechanism of DNA mutagenesis.
Techniques: Employed pump-probe technique based on the use of a femtosecond
Ti:sapphire laser coupled with optical parametric amplifier. Single-photon counting
technique was used to probe the dynamics in the picosecond-nanosecond time regime.
Molecular dynamics simulations were used to explain the results.
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA (Nov 1997-July 1999)
Studied the ultrafast dynamics of organic reactions that produce intermediate radicals.
The study analyzed and controlled certain radical reactions that cause air pollution as
well as disintegration of vital biological functions.
Techniques: Pump-probe technique was employed using a Nd:YAG laser and an Ar-ion
laser in order to produce femtosecond pulses of light by mode locking. The study was
carried out in the gas phase in supersonic-jet expansion. Ab initio calculations were used
to explain the results.
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University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA (Oct 1996-Oct 1997)
Studied the mechanisms of photochemical reactions which play a crucial role in
atmospheric pollution.
Techniques: Pump-probe technique was employed using a Nd:YAG laser to produce
sub-picosecond pulses for excitation and probing the samples in supersonic-jet
expansion. Several models of calculations were used to fit and explain the results.
University of California, Riverside, California, USA (Oct 1995-Sep 1996)
Conducted spectroscopic investigations of organic photodimers imbedded in thin
polymer films. The project explored suitable substrates which may be used in optical
information storage.
Techniques: An Excimer laser was used to provide the excitation light. Experiments
were performed at room temperature as well as at low temperatures, down to 77 K.
University of Saskatchewan, Canada (Sep 1991-Sep 1995)
Studied the spectroscopy and dynamics of solute-solvent interactions at a truly molecular
level. The study analyzed the role of solvation in changing the photochemical behavior of
certain organic molecules which may have useful applications.
Techniques: An Excimer laser and a Nd:YAG laser were used to provide the excitation
light at different wavelengths. Laser-induced fluorescence method was used to measure
the steady-state spectroscopic changes, and single-photon counting technique was used
for time-resolved study.
Cairo University, Egypt (Sep 1990-Aug 1991)
Started a project to study the electrochemical behavior of mammalian nervous tissue
extracts. The research examined the role of the presence of certain substances in the brain
in causing diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.
Techniques: Used cyclic voltametry and current-potential measurements.
6. Technical Experience and Skills
• Extensive experience in studying the optical spectroscopy (IR, UV/VIS, fluorescence)
and ultrafast dynamics of chemical reactions in gas phase, solution, nanocavities,
polymers and in biological systems (DNA and proteins).
• Extensive hands-on working experience in setting up and using tunable cw and ultrafast,
pulsed lasers (femtosecond and picosecond); setting up and applying different
spectroscopic techniques such as pump/probe, multiphoton ionization, laser-induced
fluorescence and transient absorption; using detection techniques such as time-of-flight
mass spectrometry, single photon counting and CCD cameras.
• Highly trained in optics alignments; beam steering; using optical fibers, optical filters,
crystals for different frequency generations, optical mirrors, oscilloscopes; working with
gases, high vacuum equipment, cryogenic apparatus, electronics and several laboratory
softwares.
• Proficiency in protein and DNA structure analysis (Insight II, BLAST and Amber
molecular dynamics simulations), using various calculation methods such as ab initio and
semi-empirical.
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7. Scholarly Achievements
7.1. Journal Papers (*: corresponding author)
1. N.I. Zahid, O.K. Abou-Zied,* R. Hashim, and T. Heidelberg
Characterization of the Head-Group and the Hydrophobic Regions of a Glycolipid Lyotropic
Hexagonal Phase Using Fluorescent Probes.
Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2011, In press (DOI: 10.1021/jp2060393).
2. N. Al-Lawatia, J. Husband, T. Steinbrecher, and O.K. Abou-Zied*
Tautomerism in 7-Hydroxyquinoline: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study in Water.
Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2011, 115,4195-4201.
3. O.K. Abou-Zied* and N. Al-Lawatia
Exploring the Drug-Binding Site ″Sudlow I″ of Human Serum Albumin: The Role of Water and
Trp214 in Molecular Recognition and Ligand Binding.
ChemPhysChem, 2011, 12, 270-274.
4. O.K. Abou-Zied*
Steady-State and Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of 2,2′-Bipyridine-3,3′-diol in Solvents and
Cyclodextrins: Polarity and Nanoconfinement Effects on Tautomerization.
Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2010, 114, 1069-1076.
5. O.K. Abou-Zied* and O.I.K. Al-Shihi
Caging and Solvent Effects on the Tautomeric Equilibrium of 3-Pyridone/3-Hydroxypyridine in
the Ground State: A Study in Cyclodextrins and Binary Solvents.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2009, 11, 5377-5383.
6. O.K. Abou-Zied* and O.I.K. Al-Shihi
Characterization of Subdomain IIA Binding Site of Human Serum Albumin in its Native,
Unfolded and Refolded States Using Small Molecular Probes.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2008, 130, 10793-10801.
7. O.K. Abou-Zied*
Investigating 2,2’-Bipyridine-3,3’-diol as a Microenvironment-Sensitive Probe: Its Binding to
Cyclodextrins and Human Serum Albumin.
Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2007, 111, 9879-9885.
8. O.K. Abou-Zied*
The Role of Water in Solvating the Hydrogen Bonding Center of 2-(2’hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole.
Chemical Physics, 2007, 337, 1-10.
9. O.K. Abou-Zied* and A.T. Al-Hinai
Caging Effects on the Ground and Excited States of 2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-diol Embedded in
Cyclodextrins.
Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2006, 110, 7835-7840.
10. O.K. Abou-Zied*
Examining [2,2′-bipyridyl]-3,3′-diol as a Possible DNA Model Base Pair.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A, 2006, 82, 192-201.
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11. O. K. Abou-Zied*
A Spectroscopic Study of the Inclusion of Azulene by β- and γ-cyclodextrins.
Spectrochimica Acta A, 2005, 62, 245-251.
12. H. Wang, H. Zhang, O.K. Abou-Zied, C. Yu, F.E. Romesberg, and M. Glasbeek*
Femtosecond Fluorescence Upconversion Studies of Excited-State Proton Transfer Dynamics in
2-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) in Liquid Solution and DNA.
Chemical Physics Letters, 2003, 367, 599-608.
13. O.K. Abou-Zied, R. Jimenez, H.Z. Thompson, D.P. Millar and F.E. Romesberg*
Solvent-Dependent Photoinduced Tautomerization of 2-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole.
Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2002, 106; 3665-3672.
14. O.K. Abou-Zied, R. Jimenez and F.E. Romesberg*
Phototautomerization Dynamics of a Model Base Pair in DNA.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2001, 123, 4613-4614.
15. A.K. Ogawa, O.K. Abou-Zied, V. Tsui, R. Jimenez, D. Case and F.E. Romesberg*
A Photo-Tautomerizable Model DNA Base Pair.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2000; 122; 9917-9920.
16. E. W.-G. Diau, O.K. Abou-Zied, A.A. Scala and A.H. Zewail*
Femtosecond Dynamics of Transition States and the Concept of Concertedness: Nitrogen
Extrusion of Azomethane Reactions.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1998, 120, 3245-3246.
17. O.K. Abou-Zied and J.D. McDonald*
Picosecond Real Time Study of the Bimolecular Reaction O( 3 P) + C2H4 and the Unimolecular
Photodissociation of CH3CHO and H2CO.
Journal of Chemical Physics, 1998, 109, 1293-1301.
18. O.K. Abou-Zied, H.K. Sinha and R.P. Steer*
Van der Waals Complexes of 2-Chloro-, 2-Methyl- and 1,3-Dimethylazulene with Rare Gases:
Microscopic Solvent Shifts, Structures and Binding Energies.
Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 1997, 101, 7989-7997.
19. O.K. Abou-Zied, D.R. Demmer, S.C. Wallace and R.P. Steer*
Picosecond Dynamics of the S2 Excited States of Azulene and Its van der Waals Complexes with
Ar and Xe.
Chemical Physics Letters, 1997, 266, 75-85.
20. O.K. Abou-Zied, H.K. Sinha and R.P. Steer*
S2-S0 Spectroscopy of Azulene and Its 2-Chloro, 2-Methyl, and 1,3-Methyl Derivatives.
Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy, 1997, 183, 42-56.
21. O.K. Abou-Zied, H.K. Sinha and R.P. Steer*
S2-S0 Spectroscopy of van der Waals Complexes of Azulene with Rare Gases.
Journal of Physical Chemistry, 1996, 100, 4375-4381.
22. H.K. Sinha, O.K. Abou-Zied, M. Ludwiczak, A. Maciejewski and R.P. Steer*
Origins of the Difference in Solvation by Alkanes and Perfluoroalkanes: Evidence from the S2-S0
Spectra of Jet-Cooled van der Waals Complexes of Xanthione and Azulene.
Chemical Physics Letters, 1994, 230, 547-554.
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23. H.K. Sinha, O.K. Abou-Zied and R.P. Steer*
Ground and Excited State Dipole Moments of Pyranthione and Xanthione by the Electro-Optic
Method.
Chemical Physics Letters, 1993, 201, 433-436.
Citation Index: Our published work was cited more than 430 times in different
prominent international journals with an h index of 12 (source: Scopus).
7.2. Papers in Refereed Conference Proceedings
1. O.K. Abou-Zied* and N. Al-Lawatia
Specific Interaction of 7-Hydroxyquinoline with Trp-214 in the Drug-Binding Site IIA of Human
Serum Albumin.
Proceedings of SPIE, The International Society for Optical Engineering, 2010, 7576-18, 1-11.
2. O.K. Abou-Zied* and O.I.K. Al-Shihi
Steady-State and Time-Resolved Fluorescence Investigation of 2-pyridone and 3-pyridone in
Solution and their Specific Binding to Human Serum Albumin.
Proceedings of SPIE, The International Society for Optical Engineering, 2008, 6867-K, 1-12.
3. O.K. Abou-Zied*
Steady-State Spectroscopy of New Biological Probes.
Proceedings of SPIE, The International Society for Optical Engineering, 2007, 6449-L, 1-11.
7.3. Conference Presentations
1. Gordon Research Conference
Easton, USA, July 2011 (poster presentation)
2. International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies
Suntec, Singapore, June 2011 (poster presentation)
3. 241 st American Chemical Society National Meeting
Anaheim, USA, March 2011 (poster presentation)
4. Photonics West
San Francisco, USA, January 2010 (oral presentation)
5. Gordon Research Conference
Ventura, USA, January 2009 (poster presentation)
6. Photonics West
San Jose, USA, January 2008 (oral presentation)
7. Photonics West
San Jose, USA, January 2007 (poster presentation)
8. 40 th Western Regional Meeting, American Chemical Society
Anaheim, USA, January 2006 (poster presentation)
9. 229 th American Chemical Society National Meeting
San Diego, USA, March 2005 (poster presentation)
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10. 221 st American Chemical Society National Meeting
San Diego, USA, April 2001 (poster presentation)
11. 219 th American Chemical Society National Meeting
San Francisco, USA, March 2000 (poster presentation)
12. The 37 th SAS Pacific Conference on Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Ontario, USA, October 1999 (poster presentation)
13. 4 th International Conference in Solar Energy Storage and Applied Photochemistry
Cairo, Egypt, January 1997 (poster presentation)
14. The 43 rd Annual Western Spectroscopy Association Conference
Pacific Grove, USA, February 1996 (poster presentation)
15. 3 rd International Conference in Solar Energy Storage and Applied Photochemistry
Cairo, Egypt, January 1995 (poster presentation)
16. The XVII th International Conference in Photochemistry
London, UK, July 1995 (oral presentation)
17. 78 th Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) Conference
Ontario, Canada, May 1995 (oral presentation)
18. Center of Excellence in Molecular and Interfacial Dynamics (CEMAID) Conference
British Columbia, Canada, May 1994 (poster presentation)
19. The XVI th International Conference in Photochemistry
British Columbia, Canada, August 1993 (poster presentation)
7.4. Invited Oral Presentations
1. University of Malaya, Malaysia, June 2011
2. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, July 2009
3. Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, April 2009
4. University of Malaya, Malaysia, June 2008 (three seminars)
5. Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, October 2003
6. The Scripps Research Institute, California, USA, June 1999
7. University of California, Berkeley, California, USA, May 1999
8. National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada, May 1999
9. California Institute of Technology, California, USA, January 1998
10. University of California, Riverside, California, USA, March 1996
11. University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada, January 1994
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7.5. Invited Research Visits
• Visiting Professor (June 2008 – Present): Department of Chemistry, University of
Malaya, Malaysia. During my frequent visits (about two months every year), I deliver
seminars, teach a graduate course, meet with collaborators from the Departments of
Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Medicine. In 2009, I drafted a proposal for the
establishment of a new Femtosecond Laser Center which the University of Malaya is
planning to build.
• July 2006: I was invited by Prof. Donald Levy of the Department of Chemistry,
University of Chicago, to visit his labs for possible collaboration.
7.6. Technical Reports and Research Grants
• O.K. Abou-Zied and R. Hashim
Funding Agency: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia
Program: Research and Development Collaboration Programme
Duration: 2009-2011
Title: “Ultrafast dynamics of water in lyotropic liquid crystal phases of glycolipids”
• W.M. Zoghaib and O.K. Abou-Zied
Funding Agency: Sultan Qaboos University
Duration: 2007-2009
Title: “Synthesis and use of model base pair analogues for tautomerization studies in
DNA and its role in biological mutagenesis”
• O.K. Abou-Zied
Funding Agency: Sultan Qaboos University
Duration: 2005-2007
Title: “Investigating the role of proton transfer process in changing the genetic code and
causing mutations in biological systems”
• G.W. Scott and O.K. Abou-Zied
Funding Agency: University of California Energy Institute
Duration: 1996-1997
Title: “Polymeric dyes for solar photovoltaics”
7.5. Peer Reviewing
Reviewed several manuscripts for the following Journals:
• Journal of Physical Chemistry (American Chemical Society)
• Chemical Communications (Royal Society of Chemistry)
• Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (Royal Society of Chemistry)
• Journal of Molecular Structure (Elsevier)
• Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis (Elsevier)
• Chemical Physics Letters (Elsevier)
• Chirality (Wiley)
• Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (Elsevier)
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