Faraz Mirlou

M.Sc. Polymer Engineering

Iran, IR.

About

Highly accomplished Polymer Engineer specializing in carbon quantum dots (CQDs) synthesis and application, with a strong research background in fluorescent, low-cost, and environmentally friendly inks for anti-counterfeiting and inkjet-printing. Proven expertise in materials science, formulation development, and analytical instrumentation, complemented by industrial experience in ink/coating formulation and co-founding a nail polish startup. Currently seeking PhD positions or advanced research and industry roles to leverage innovative polymer engineering solutions for high-impact applications.

Work

Independent Researcher & PhD Candidate

|

Research & Academic Transition Specialist

Iran, Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)

→

Summary

Strategically navigating academic and professional transitions, focusing on advanced research opportunities and doctoral program applications within Iran.

Highlights

Actively engaged in applying to competitive PhD programs and diverse research/industry roles across Iran.

Systematically preparing for the GRE, building upon successful completion of TOEFL requirements (score: 82).

Islamic Republic of Iran

|

Mandatory Military Service

National, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)

→

Summary

Fulfilled national military service while maintaining critical remote contributions to advanced research and entrepreneurial ventures for the initial period.

Highlights

Completed 18 months of compulsory national military service, fulfilling a legal requirement for Iranian male citizens.

Sustained remote contributions to CQD ink research and a nail-polish venture for the first ~6 months (through Nov 2023), including supporting a 2024 publication, before relocation necessitated a full pause in external work.

InkoatLab

|

R&D Formulation Scientist

Iran, Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)

→

Summary

Drove applied research and development for carbon quantum dot and functional ink/coating formulations, directly leveraging M.Sc. thesis expertise.

Highlights

Spearheaded applied research into carbon quantum dot and functional ink/coating formulations, directly building upon and advancing M.Sc. thesis work.

Contributed significantly to the research foundational to the 2024 Progress in Organic Coatings publication on CQD synthesis routes and doping agents.

Maintained remote research contributions into military service, demonstrating commitment and sustaining project momentum.

Nail Polish Manufacturing Startup

|

Co-Founder & Formulation Lead

Iran, Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)

→

Summary

Co-founded and led formulation development for an early-stage nail polish venture, applying polymer coatings expertise to product innovation and market entry.

Highlights

Co-founded an early-stage venture, developing innovative nail polish formulations from concept to product, leveraging polymer coatings expertise.

Directed product development, stability testing, and pigment dispersion, ensuring high-quality and market-ready products.

Applied polymer coatings expertise to optimize product development, stability testing, and pigment dispersion.

Managed transition of involvement due to military service relocation, demonstrating adaptability and strategic planning.

Sahand University of Technology

|

Graduate Researcher - Carbon Quantum Dot Inks

Tabriz, Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)

→

Summary

Spearheaded advanced research in N-doped carbon quantum dots, developing innovative fluorescent and durable inks for anti-counterfeiting applications.

Highlights

Designed and synthesized N-doped carbon quantum dots via hydrothermal routes, optimizing doping agents for enhanced photoluminescence emission.

Formulated fluorescent, durable CQD-based inks suitable for inkjet printing on multiple substrates, significantly advancing anti-counterfeiting applications.

Innovated a novel, cost-effective synthesis route for carbon quantum dots derived from waste fruit sources.

Contributed to 3 publications, including one accepted for a national conference, showcasing research impact and dissemination.

Sahand University of Technology

|

Laboratory Instrumentation Operator

Tabriz, Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)

→

Summary

Maintained and operated critical water contact angle and surface tension instrumentation, supporting diverse polymer and surface-science research groups.

Highlights

Operated and maintained advanced water contact angle and surface tension instrumentation, facilitating research for multiple polymer and surface-science groups.

Provided essential technical support concurrent with M.Sc. studies, ensuring smooth operation and data integrity for critical experiments.

Payam Noor University

|

Undergraduate Lab & HSE Manager

Urmia, Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)

→

Summary

Managed daily laboratory operations, enforced HSE standards, trained students, and developed innovative wastewater treatment and drug delivery systems.

Highlights

Managed comprehensive day-to-day laboratory operations and served as HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) manager for the research group.

Successfully trained incoming students on laboratory protocols and thesis projects, enhancing research efficiency and safety.

Developed novel chitosan/magnetized-nanocellulose methods for efficient removal of methylene blue and malachite green dyes from wastewater.

Designed an innovative magnetized-nanocellulose doxorubicin drug-delivery system, demonstrating early research and development capabilities.

Education

Sahand University of Technology

Tabriz, Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)
→
M.Sc. Polymer Engineering (Paint Industries) Grade: 16.39/20 (Iranian scale)

Payame Noor University

Urmia, Iran, Iran (Islamic Republic of)
→
B.Sc. Polymer Engineering (Paint Science & Technology) Grade: 14.28/20

Awards

M.Sc. Government Scholarship Award

Government

Awarded for ranking 1st in M.Sc. cohort at Sahand University of Technology.

Publications

Comparative study of synthesis of carbon quantum dots via different routes: Evaluating doping agents for enhanced photoluminescence emission.

Progress in Organic Coatings

Research on various synthesis routes for carbon quantum dots and their doping agents to enhance photoluminescence, published in a leading organic coatings journal.

Fluorescent Pigments Based on Carbon Quantum Dots: Synthesis methods and Applications.

Journal of Studies on Color World

Exploration of synthesis methods and diverse applications for fluorescent pigments derived from carbon quantum dots.

Preparing anticounterfeiting inks using carbon quantum dots.

6th National Conference of Polymer Engineering (HAMPA 2021)

Conference publication detailing the development of anti-counterfeiting inks utilizing carbon quantum dots.

Languages

Azeri

Persian

English

Turkish

Certificates

TOEFL iBT

ETS

BONDA Startup Acceleration Workshop (Engineering Entrepreneurship Track)

BONDA

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) certification for polymer/chemistry laboratories

Sahand University of Technology

Skills

Technical Research & Development

CQD hydrothermal synthesis, CQD Microwave assisted synthesis, Functional Ink/Coating Formulation, Nail-Polish Formulation, Pigment Dispersion, Wet-Chemical Characterization, Polymer Synthesis, Nanomaterials, Anti-Counterfeiting, Inkjet Printing, Drug Delivery, Bioimaging, Biosensing, Wastewater Treatment, Chitosan, Nanocellulose.

Analytical Instrumentation

UV-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) Spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Particle Sizing, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS/EDAX), Quantum Yield Calculation, Inkjet-Printing Performance Testing (Epson Platforms), Water Contact Angle, Surface Tensiometry.

Software & Data Analysis

ChemOffice, MATLAB, Simulink, Origin Pro, ImageJ, IRPal, Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, EndNote, Mendeley, Microsoft Office.

Laboratory Management & Safety

HSE Lab Management, Laboratory Operations, Protocol Development, Technical Training, Equipment Maintenance.

Entrepreneurship & Product Development

Startup Co-founding, Product Development, Formulation Development, Stability Testing, Pigment Dispersion, Market Research, Strategic Planning.

References

Dr. Amir Rezvani-Moghaddam

M.Sc. Thesis Advisor, Assistant Professor, Sahand University of Technology, E-mail: arezvani@sut.ac.ir

Dr. Soleyman Hosseinzadeh

B.Sc. Thesis Advisor, Head of Polymer Engineering, Chemistry, and Petroleum Engineering Programs, Payame Noor University, E-mail: hosseinzadeh65@pnu.ac.ir, E-mail (Personal): hosseinzadeh65@gmail.com

Prof. Mehdi Salami Kalajahi

Professor, Sahand University of Technology, E-mail: m.salami@sut.ac.ir

Dr. Seyyed Salar Meshkat

B.Sc. Thesis Co-Advisor, Assistant Professor, Urmia University of Technology, E-mail: s.meshkat@che.uut.ac.ir