Dr. Vera Solovyeva | Environmental Detectors | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Vera Solovyeva, Aramco Innovations, Russia

Dr. Vera A. Solovyeva is a seasoned chemist and Technology Thrust Champion at Aramco Innovations LLC, with over 20 years of international academic and industrial research experience in organic chemistry, material science, and nanomaterials. She holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Moscow State University and has an impressive track record spanning medicinal chemistry, catalysis, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) synthesis and scale-up. Dr. Solovyeva has contributed to innovative projects at leading institutions such as Eli Lilly, Novartis, KAUST, and Aramco Innovations, where she led multiple field-deployed oil and gas applications. Her expertise encompasses organic synthesis, heterogeneous catalysis, and advanced analytical techniques, with a strong focus on developing sustainable materials for energy and environmental solutions. Recognized internationally, she has published impactful research highlighted by ACS and JACS, reflecting her commitment to advancing smart and functional nanomaterials.

Professional Profile:

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Summary of Suitability for Women Researcher Award: Dr. Vera A. Solovyeva

Dr. Vera A. Solovyeva stands out as an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Women Researcher Award based on her extensive, multidisciplinary, and globally recognized contributions to the fields of nanomaterials, catalysis, and sustainable energy technologies. With over 20 years of research experience across both academia and industry—including prestigious organizations such as KAUST, Aramco Innovations, and top pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novartis—she exemplifies the ideal balance of scientific rigor and applied innovation.

🧑‍🎓 Education

🎓 Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry — Moscow State University (MSU), Russia (2002–2007)
• Thesis: “Partial Hydrodehalogenation of Functional Derivatives of gem-Dibromocyclopropanes”
🎓 M.S. in Chemistry — Moscow State University (MSU), Russia (1997–2002)
• Undergraduate research under supervision of Prof. I.G. Bolesov and Academician I.P. Beletskaya
🧪 Internship — University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), USA (Jan–Feb 1999)
• Biochemistry techniques training

💼 Work Experience

🏢 Technology Thrust Champion — Aramco Innovations LLC (2019–Present)
• Lead projects in upstream oil & gas; 3 successful field deployments
🔬 Senior Research Scientist — Moscow State University & Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (2018–2019)
• Research in covalent-organic frameworks for photovoltaic applications
🔬 Consultant — KAUST Technology Transfer Office, Saudi Arabia (2016–2017)
• Pilot-scale synthesis of MOFs
🔬 Postdoctoral Fellow — KAUST, Saudi Arabia (2011–2016)
• Research on MOFs, catalysis, and nanoparticle stabilization
🧪 Senior Research Scientist — Chemical Diversity Research Institute, Moscow (2007–2011)
• Contract R&D for pharma giants (Eli Lilly, Novartis, Merck, Solvay)
🧬 Editor — Science & Technology Informational (STI) Centre for Reaxys/Elsevier (2005–2011)
💻 Research Scientist — Algodign LLC (2002–2005)
• Drug design and molecular docking for startup by Nobel Laureate Michael Levitt

🏆 Awards & Honors

🇺🇸 1999 – Internship Award from University of Pennsylvania 🥼
🇷🇺 2004 – Best Organic Chemistry Presentation at Lomonosov Conference 🧪
🌍 2003–2005 – Ph.D. project awarded INTAS individual funding (EU-Russia scientific cooperation)
📰 2014 – Paper highlighted on Front Cover of ACS Comb. Sci. 🧬
📣 2015 – ACS Editors’ Choice article and featured in C&EN (ACS Comb. Sci.) 🧫
✨ 2015 – JACS paper highlighted as Spotlight Publication 💡

Publication Top Notes:

MOF Crystal Chemistry Paving the Way to Gas Storage Needs: Aluminum-Based soc-MOF for CH₄, O₂, and CO₂ Storage

CITED:835

Metal–organic frameworks to satisfy gas upgrading demands: fine-tuning the soc-MOF platform for the operative removal of H 2 S

CITED:121

Hydrocarbon recovery using ultra-microporous fluorinated MOF platform with and without uncoordinated metal sites: I-structure properties relationships for C2H2/C2H4 and CO2 …

CITED:86

A very large diversity space of synthetically accessible compounds for use with drug design programs

CITED:43

Sequence-controlled copolymers of 2, 3, 4, 5-pentafluorostyrene: mechanistic insight and application to organocatalysis

CITED:40

Current downhole corrosion control solutions and trends in the oil and gas industry: A review

CITED:38

Prof. Dr. Kevin Oshea, Florida International University, United States

Kevin Edward O’Shea is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, FL. He earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) under the mentorship of Professor Christopher S. Foote and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas, Austin, with Professor Marye Anne Fox. Since joining FIU in 1991, he has held various academic leadership positions, including Interim Dean and Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate School. His research focuses on environmental chemistry, photochemical processes, and the development of nanomaterials for pollutant removal. With over 150 peer-reviewed publications and more than 16,000 citations, his work has been widely recognized in premier chemistry and environmental science journals. He has secured approximately $4 million in research funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Throughout his career, he has delivered numerous invited talks worldwide and has been actively engaged in mentoring students at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Summary of Suitability for the Research for Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Kevin Edward O’Shea is a highly accomplished researcher and professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry with extensive experience in organic chemistry, photochemical processes, and structural elucidation. His contributions to research, mentorship, and academic leadership make him a strong candidate for the Research for Excellence in Research Award.

🎓 Education

University of Texas, Austin (1989-1991) – Postdoctoral Fellow 🏅

Advisor: Professor Marye Anne Fox
Research: Reactive species for the activation of anti-cancer agents and photochemical processes in supercritical fluids

University of California, Los Angeles (1984-1989) – Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry 🧪

Mentor: Professor Christopher S. Foote
Dissertation: The Photoxygenation of Guanosine, Adamantylideneadamantane, and Isomeric 2,4-Hexadienes

California State University, Sacramento (1980-1984) – B.S. in Chemistry (with Honors) 🎓

Senior Project: Synthesis of Novel Imidazolium Compounds

👨‍🏫 Academic & Professional Experience

Florida International University (2004–Present) 🌴🏫

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Senior Associate Dean, Graduate School (2012-2017)
Interim Dean, Graduate School (2009-2011)

University of California, Davis (2019) – Visiting Professor 🔬

University of Miami (2004-2005) – Visiting Professor (Sabbatical) 🌊

Georgia Institute of Technology (1997-1998) – Research Associate Professor (Sabbatical) 🏗️

Florida State University (1995) – Visiting Assistant Professor 📚

Florida International University (1991-1996) – Assistant Professor 🎓

🏆 Achievements & Contributions

150+ Peer-Reviewed Publications 📑

Published in top journals like Chemical Reviews, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Environmental Science & Technology
Over 16,000 citations and an h-index of 65 📈

300+ Scientific Presentations 🌍

Invited speaker in China, South Korea, Turkey, Ireland, Spain, Singapore, Hungary, Puerto Rico, and Canada

Secured $4M+ in Research Grants 💰

Funding from NSF, NIH, EPA, DOE, and more

Research on Environmental Chemistry & Nanomaterials 🌿🧪