Dr. Zafar Said is a Distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at United Arab Emirates University. His research spans renewable and solar energy systems, artificial intelligence applications in energy engineering, and advanced thermal sciences. This work contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy, industry and innovation, sustainable cities, and climate action (SDGs 7, 9, 11, and 13).

Dr. Said has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Web of Science, including papers in leading journals such as Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Physics Reports, Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports, Advanced Energy Materials, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Nano Energy, and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. His scholarly record also includes six books, 30 book chapters, more than 30 conference papers, five granted U.S. patents, and two Indian patents. Several of his publications have been recognized as highly cited papers by Web of Science.

He has been included among the World’s Top 2% Scientists in the field of Energy since 2019. His major honors include the Khalifa Award for Education – Distinguished University Professor and the OIC–COMSTECH Best Young Researcher Award in 2025, the Future Pioneer Award in Sustainability in 2025, the Best Academic Research Award at the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport in 2024, and First Place in Scientific Research at the Excellence and Creative Engineering Award in 2023. He has also received the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Research and Innovation Award, the Research.com Rising Star Scientist Award for three consecutive years, the Sharjah Islamic Bank Award for Distinguished Researchers, and several Faculty Annual Incentive Research Awards. Dr. Said is regularly invited to deliver keynote and plenary lectures at international conferences in energy, sustainability, thermal engineering, and artificial intelligence.