PhD Scholar, University of Science and Technology of China, China.
Waseem Khan is an emerging geoscientist from Pakistan with a strong background in petrography, geochemistry, sedimentology, and geochronology. Born on May 27, 1992, he has built an impressive research and professional profile across academia and industry. He holds a Master’s degree from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he was awarded the prestigious ANSO scholarship. Waseem has contributed to multiple high-impact publications on salt range provenance, Jurassic reservoir characterization, and paleogeographic reconstructions in journals like Gondwana Research and Carbonates and Evaporites. His cross-disciplinary expertise includes U-Pb-Hf isotopic analysis, LA-ICP-MS, reservoir modeling, and GIS-based mapping. With professional experience ranging from QA/QC engineering in Qatar to exploration geology in Pakistan, he bridges the gap between theoretical research and field practice. Waseem is recognized for his ability to combine analytical geoscience tools with hands-on industry applications, making him a valuable contributor to both academic and energy sectors.
🔹Author Profile
🔹 Education
Waseem Khan earned his Master’s in Earth Sciences from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China, with a CGPA of 3.74 in 2024. His thesis focused on the provenance and paleogeography of the Salt Range Formation in Pakistan. His undergraduate studies were completed at the University of Haripur, where he earned a BS in Geology with a CGPA of 3.5. His BS thesis investigated microfacies and diagenesis in the Middle Jurassic Samana Suk Formation in the Nizampur Basin. Both degrees emphasized fieldwork, lab-based petrography, sedimentology, and tectonics. Waseem’s academic journey has been supported by competitive scholarships and enriched by international exposure and certified training from global institutions such as the University of Toronto, Macquarie University, and Duke University. This foundation has equipped him with expertise in detrital zircon geochronology, geospatial analysis, petroleum systems, and sedimentary provenance, bridging classical geology with advanced analytical techniques.
🔹Strengths for the Award
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Diverse and Deep Research Portfolio:
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Waseem Khan has published seven peer-reviewed journal articles (2024–2025), including in prestigious venues like Gondwana Research, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, and Carbonates and Evaporites.
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His research spans a wide array of geological sub-disciplines: petrography, sedimentology, reservoir characterization, detrital zircon geochronology, and paleogeography, with a regional focus on the Western Himalayas, Tethys, and Tibetan Plateau.
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He has contributed to both applied (e.g., oil and gas reservoir studies) and fundamental research (e.g., Gondwana paleogeography reconstruction).
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Technical and Analytical Expertise:
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Demonstrated strong technical proficiency with tools like LA-ICP-MS, XRF, ArcGIS, and IOLITE.
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Conducted advanced U-Pb-Hf isotopic work, showing deep specialization in detrital zircon analysis and geochronology.
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Global Academic Exposure and Collaboration:
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Completed his Master’s at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) — one of Asia’s premier research institutions — under the ANSO scholarship, indicating high academic merit.
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Worked with globally recognized geoscientists like Eduardo Garzanti, enhancing the academic quality and international visibility of his research.
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Professional Experience and Applied Knowledge:
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Extensive multidisciplinary experience across QA/QC in materials engineering, nuclear gauge operation, and mineral exploration, which enriches his research with applied industrial insights.
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Worked on high-impact projects like Mohmand Dam Hydro Project and M-9 Motorway Construction with organizations such as FWO, NESPAK, and NHA.
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Training and Certifications:
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Completed over ten international certified courses, including in GIS, petroleum engineering, environmental safety, and ISO accreditation standards, reflecting a commitment to continuous learning.
🔹 Experience
Waseem Khan’s experience spans six diverse roles across academia, industry, and international research institutions. He most recently worked as a Research Assistant at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2020–2025), where he conducted geochronological and geochemical analysis (U-Pb-Hf, LA-ICP-MS). He also served as a QA/QC Officer in Qatar (2021–2022), ensuring compliance with international testing standards and ISO certifications. His prior roles include Assistant Geologist at China Gezhouba Group (Mohmand Dam project), Exploration Geologist for base metals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Research Associate at University of Haripur, and Material Engineer for the M-9 Motorway project with FWO. His work has included core logging, XRF sampling, seismic interpretations, reservoir assessments, and site-level geological mapping. His well-rounded field and lab experience, combined with his ability to manage geotechnical and QA/QC processes, make him uniquely suited to bridge scientific exploration with applied oil and gas geology.
🔹 Awards and Honors
Waseem Khan has received several academic and professional accolades. Most notably, he was awarded the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) Scholarship for his Master’s studies at the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences, which recognizes outstanding students from developing countries in scientific research. He was also awarded a government-issued laptop for securing over 80% marks in his undergraduate program—an initiative by Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission to support merit-based excellence. In addition to formal awards, his certifications reflect a proactive approach to continuous learning. These include ISO 17025 and ISO 17020 accreditations, radiation protection training, and multiple Coursera credentials from leading universities in petroleum engineering, environmental safety, and GIS analysis. These honors underscore his commitment to excellence, scientific integrity, and professional development, positioning him as a dedicated researcher capable of contributing to global energy and environmental challenges.
Waseem Khan’s research centers on the petrological and geochemical evolution of sedimentary basins, with particular emphasis on reservoir potential, tectonic reconstruction, and paleogeography. He specializes in U-Pb-Hf zircon geochronology, detrital zircon provenance analysis, and basin tectonics, applying advanced tools like LA-ICP-MS, XRF, and GIS modeling. His work investigates processes within the Western Himalayas, Salt Range, and the Tibetan Plateau, unraveling Earth’s tectono-sedimentary history through integrative datasets. He bridges academic research with industrial applications, especially in the oil and gas sector, focusing on carbonate and sandstone reservoirs, diagenetic processes, and subsurface characterization. His collaborative projects span stratigraphy, seismic interpretations, and paleoclimatic reconstructions. By integrating isotopic dating with sedimentological observations, Waseem contributes to both the understanding of ancient paleoenvironments and the exploration of hydrocarbon systems, positioning him as a versatile researcher in petroleum geology and tectonics.
🔹 Publications Top Notes
1. Petrophysical characterization and reservoir potential of the lower Goru sandstone
Journal: Journal of Natural Gas Geoscience, June 2025
Contributors: Waseem Khan et al.
Summary: This study evaluates reservoir properties of Lower Goru sandstone through petrophysical logs, thin-section analysis, and core measurements. Results highlight moderate to good reservoir quality with effective porosity and permeability ranges ideal for gas production. The study provides key insights for exploration in Pakistan’s Sindh Basin.
2. Reservoir potential of middle Jurassic carbonates in the Nizampur Basin:
Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, June 2025
Contributors: Waseem Khan et al.
Summary: The paper explores Jurassic carbonates using microfacies analysis and diagenetic markers to assess reservoir viability. It finds that early marine cementation followed by dissolution-enhanced porosity created suitable reservoir zones, contributing to future petroleum exploration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
3. Petrography and geochemistry of Early Cambrian phosphorites from Abbottabad:
Journal: Carbonates and Evaporites, May 2025
Contributors: Waseem Khan et al.
Summary: The authors investigate phosphorite deposits to interpret depositional environments and trace element enrichment. Their geochemical signatures suggest upwelling-driven sedimentation under anoxic to dysoxic conditions, offering a paleoceanographic perspective on Cambrian phosphorus cycles.
4. Decoding the Ediacaran Enigma: Gondwana paleogeography revisited through a provenance study of the Salt Range Formation
Journal: Gondwana Research, April 2025
Contributors: Waseem Khan et al.
Summary: This landmark paper applies detrital zircon dating to reconstruct Gondwana’s paleogeography, revealing sediment routing from northeastern Africa to the Salt Range. It reshapes tectonic models of the western Himalayas during the late Neoproterozoic.
Conclusion
Waseem Khan is a highly capable and emerging researcher in the field of geosciences with a strong academic foundation, hands-on field and lab expertise, and a growing international publication record. His combination of advanced analytical skills, cross-disciplinary work experience, and recent high-impact journal articles make him a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the Earth and Environmental Sciences category.
