Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Kamel Riahi | Inverse Problems and Computational Mathematics | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor of Mathematics at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates

Dr. Mohamed Kamel Riahi is a leading scholar in computational and applied mathematics, currently serving as an Associate Professor at Khalifa University, UAE. With a robust background in scientific computing, high-performance computing, and inverse problems, his academic career spans internationally recognized institutions across Europe, the USA, and the Middle East. Dr. Riahi’s research is characterized by a deep commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and a strategic focus on developing efficient algorithms for complex simulations involving wave propagation, fluid dynamics, and non-destructive testing.

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Education

Dr. Riahi earned his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI, France) in 2012, with his thesis focused on the development and analysis of time-parallel algorithms for the simulation of evolutionary systems. His earlier academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics (specializing in PDE-Modeling) from University of Paris Dauphine in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Tunis El Manar II, Tunisia, obtained in 2007. These foundational years cemented his interest in numerical analysis and computational optimization.

Experience

Dr. Riahi’s academic journey began with postdoctoral roles at INRIA-Saclay and École Polytechnique in France, where he worked on diffraction tomography algorithms for eddy current testing. He later joined the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) as a postdoctoral research associate and adjunct faculty member, contributing to wave propagation modeling and integral equations. In 2016, he transitioned to Khalifa University, UAE, where he rose from Assistant Professor to his current position. He also collaborates closely with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Research Center. Across these positions, Dr. Riahi has been instrumental in developing graduate curricula, supervising Ph.D. and MSc theses, and initiating interdisciplinary research projects with significant industrial and academic relevance.

Research Interest

Dr. Riahi’s research lies at the intersection of computational mathematics, high-performance computing, and inverse problems. He specializes in the numerical solution of partial differential equations using finite element, boundary element, and spectral methods. His expertise spans wave propagation, fluid mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum control. He has also contributed to the development of robust solvers for large-scale scientific computing using domain decomposition and time-parallelization methods. His recent focus on quantum-inspired algorithms and artificial intelligence in scientific computing demonstrates his forward-looking approach and adaptability to emerging computational paradigms.

Award

Dr. Riahi has received several prestigious honors for his contributions to applied mathematics and peer-review excellence. He was recognized with the Inverse Problems Outstanding Reviewer Award in 2020 and received the IOP Trusted Reviewer Award in 2020. Earlier in his career, he received the EDF Postdoctoral Sponsorship for his research on non-destructive testing and multiple fellowships from top French research bodies such as the CEA and INRIA. These accolades highlight his academic rigor, commitment to scientific integrity, and influence in the international research community.

Publication

Dr. Riahi has published extensively in high-impact journals across computational physics and applied mathematics.

1. On cost-efficient parallel iterative solvers for 3D frequency-domain seismic multisource viscoelastic anisotropic wave modeling — Guoqi Ma, Bing Zhou, Mohamed Kamel Riahi, Jamal Zemerly, Liu Xu, Geophysics, 2024, 89(4), T151–T162.
   Cited by 3, this article addresses high-efficiency parallel solvers tailored for large-scale 3D seismic wave simulations in anisotropic media.

2. An accurate and efficient recursive convolution method to simulate viscoacoustic and viscoelastic waves — C. Jin, B. Zhou, S. Greenhalgh, M.J. Zemerly, M.K. Riahi, D. Cao, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 2024.
   This work introduces a fast, stable recursive convolution method for wave simulations, contributing significantly to geophysical modeling practices.

3. A generalized time-domain velocity-stress seismic wave equation for composite viscoelastic media with a topographic relief and an irregular seabed — C. Jin, B. Zhou, M.K. Riahi, M.J. Zemerly, Computational Geosciences, 2024, 28(3), 355–371.
   Cited by 1, the study proposes a new seismic wave equation capable of capturing complex geological boundaries with high accuracy.

4. High-order recursive convolution method for viscoacoustic wave modeling — C. Jin, B. Zhou, M.K. Riahi, M.J. Zemerly, Geophysics, 2025, 90(3), 1–40.
   Cited by 1, this article presents an enhanced recursive convolution strategy for viscoacoustic modeling, offering improved numerical stability.

5. Explicit Fréchet Derivatives for 3D Frequency-Domain Seismic Full-Waveform Inversion in Viscoelastic Tilted Transversely Isotropic Media and Fully Parallel Implementations — G. Ma, B. Zhou, A. Al Suwaidi, M.K. Riahi, M.J. Zemerly, X. Liu, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 2025.
   This publication develops analytical Fréchet derivatives and proposes a scalable full-waveform inversion framework for 3D seismic modeling.

6. Numerical simulations of time-domain seismic wave propagation for a point source in 2-D onshore and offshore geological models — M. Won, B. Zhou, M.J. Zemerly, M. Al-Khaleel, M.K. Riahi, X. Liu, Computers & Geosciences, 2025, 196, 105846.
   The paper evaluates wave propagation in complex geologies using optimized time-domain solvers, broadening understanding of coastal seismic response.

7. AN ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT NUMERICAL METHOD FOR 2.5-D TIME-DOMAIN VISCOACOUSTIC AND VISCOELASTIC WAVE MODELING — M. Won, B. Zhou, X. Liu, M.J. Zemerly, M. Al-Khaleel, M.K. Riahi, Geophysics, 2025, 90(3), 1–72.
   This work delivers a novel approach for 2.5D time-domain seismic modeling, targeting high-fidelity simulations for anisotropic media.

Conclusion

Dr. Mohamed Kamel Riahi exemplifies the synergy between rigorous mathematical theory and impactful computational application. His work bridges fundamental research and real-world problem-solving, particularly in geophysics, nuclear energy, and electromagnetic diagnostics. Beyond his academic output, he contributes significantly to the scientific community through editorial board memberships, conference organization, and peer review. A passionate educator and innovator, Dr. Riahi continues to shape the future of computational science through mentorship, interdisciplinary projects, and pioneering research in high-performance algorithms and simulation techniques.