Dr. Hamed Pahlavani is a distinguished Mechanical Engineer and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) specialist with expertise spanning biomedical simulations, reactive multiphase flows, and energy system optimization. Currently serving as a Process & CFD Engineer at Dal Engineering Group in Istanbul, Turkey, he combines high-level academic research with real-world industrial applications. Dr. Pahlavani’s work integrates computational modeling of blood flow dynamics in cerebral aneurysms with fluid-structure interaction (FSI) techniques, as well as combustion modeling for alternative fuels in large-scale energy systems. With a robust foundation in OpenFOAM and other numerical tools, he has developed custom solvers and predictive models, making significant contributions to cardiovascular modeling, energy optimization, and environmental engineering. His innovative approaches and research outputs are featured in several peer-reviewed journals. In addition to his scientific contributions, he has been an active participant in industry-sponsored and TÜBİTAK-funded projects. His cross-disciplinary knowledge, proficiency in simulation platforms, and commitment to solving critical engineering challenges demonstrate both academic and practical excellence. Fluent in English, Turkish, and Persian, Dr. Pahlavani has also presented his work internationally, earning recognition within both academia and industry. His combination of deep technical acumen, innovative thinking, and collaborative mindset makes him a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Hamed Pahlavani holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University, Turkey, awarded in January 2022. His doctoral dissertation, titled “Modeling of Two-Phase Blood Flow and Fluid-Structure Interactions in Cerebral Aneurysms”, focused on applying advanced CFD techniques and FSI to model blood rheology and arterial wall deformation. He utilized state-of-the-art simulation tools such as OpenFOAM, CALCULIX, and preCICE, running high-performance computing (HPC) environments to address complex, patient-specific geometries. Prior to this, he completed a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution in 2015. His M.Sc. thesis involved the design and simulation of a refrigerator cabinet based on the solidification process of polyurethane foam, emphasizing multiphase reactive flows and chemical kinetics using ANSYS Fluent. Dr. Pahlavani began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science degree from Azad University of Khoy, Iran, in 2012, laying a strong foundation in classical mechanical engineering principles. His educational background reflects a consistent trajectory of excellence, with progressive specialization in simulation-based design, energy systems, and biomedical engineering. The combination of solid academic preparation and advanced computational modeling skills has positioned him to tackle both fundamental and applied engineering problems across multiple sectors.

Professional Experience

Dr. Hamed Pahlavani has accumulated valuable professional experience across both industrial and academic domains. Since November 2023, he has been working as a Process & CFD Engineer at Dal Engineering Group in Istanbul, where he leads simulation projects focused on the combustion of alternative fuels and calcination processes in cement calciners. He has applied OpenFOAM’s Euler–Lagrange framework to model solid fuel behavior, reaction kinetics, and pollutant formation. He also performs 1D heat and mass balance modeling to support plant optimization efforts and has participated in field measurements to validate simulation outputs with real-world data. Prior to this, from October 2021 to May 2023, Dr. Pahlavani served as a CFD, Combustion, and Thermal Systems Engineer at Turaş GAS A.Ş., where he focused on improving domestic gas burner performance using CFD tools, achieving notable reductions in emissions and increases in thermal efficiency. His earlier engagements included roles in academic projects sponsored by TÜBİTAK and the Turkish Ministry of Industry. These roles required him to blend research and development with engineering applications, often collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. His professional record illustrates his capacity to translate complex simulation data into actionable outcomes for environmental and industrial improvements.

Research Interests

Dr. Pahlavani’s research interests lie at the intersection of computational modeling, thermal-fluid sciences, and biomedical engineering. A central theme in his research is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), particularly applied to multiphase and turbulent reactive flows, combustion systems, and fluid-structure interactions (FSI). His work on alternative fuel combustion explores the behavior of solid fuels such as TDF, rubber, SRF, and petcoke, focusing on processes like drying, devolatilization, and char oxidation using custom reaction models. In the biomedical field, he specializes in non-Newtonian blood flow modeling and its interactions with arterial structures, enabling in-depth investigations of cerebral aneurysms, thrombosis risks, and blood rheology using advanced simulation techniques. Additional interests include optimization of energy systems, gas-solid interactions, phase change modeling, and biomedical flow simulations in patient-specific geometries. His focus is both analytical and practical, using computational methods to simulate real-world behavior in mechanical systems, energy conversion units, and biological tissues. The cross-domain applicability of his research makes it highly relevant to healthcare innovation, renewable energy development, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Pahlavani’s ongoing work continues to address critical challenges in these fields through innovative simulation-based methodologies.

Research Skills

Dr. Pahlavani possesses an extensive array of research and technical skills that position him at the forefront of simulation-based engineering. He is highly proficient in OpenFOAM, an open-source CFD platform where he develops and customizes solvers for turbulent and multiphase flows, including complex chemical reactions and phase transitions. He has utilized CALCULIX for structural analysis and preCICE for coupling fluid and solid domains, enabling sophisticated fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations. His programming capabilities include C++ and Python, allowing him to tailor numerical models and automate simulation workflows. Additionally, he is experienced with ANSYS Fluent, ICEM CFD, Tecplot, Paraview, and CAD tools such as CATIA v5 and SolidWorks. These tools have been critical in simulating complex systems ranging from domestic gas burners to cement calciners and blood flow in cerebral arteries. His ability to integrate 1D process modeling with full-scale CFD simulations enhances his capacity for system-wide energy optimization and emissions reduction. Dr. Pahlavani also possesses strong data validation skills, conducting on-site measurements to ensure simulation accuracy. His blend of coding expertise, engineering judgment, and validation techniques reflects a well-rounded research skill set with high translational value.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Hamed Pahlavani has received notable awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to computational modeling and engineering innovation. He served as the Principal Researcher for a TÜBİTAK-funded project titled “Computational Modelling of Deep Vein Thrombosis” (Project No. 117M430), which involved simulating thrombus formation using CFD-FSI coupling techniques in patient-specific geometries. This project not only demonstrated his academic leadership but also showcased the medical relevance of his research. He also contributed significantly to an industry-sponsored project titled “CFD Modeling of Reaction and Injection Molding of Polyurethane Foam in Refrigerators”, supported by the Ministry of Industry and Arçelik Inc. (Project No. 01213.STZ.2012-1). These honors reflect his capacity to attract funding and execute impactful projects that bridge science and industry. In addition to research awards, Dr. Pahlavani’s technical papers and conference presentations have received recognition at scientific meetings, further validating the quality and relevance of his work. His demonstrated success in securing competitive funding, combined with strong industry collaboration, underlines his innovative approach to solving engineering challenges and his potential for continued leadership in computational mechanics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Hamed Pahlavani exemplifies a modern, research-driven mechanical engineer with an exceptional portfolio that blends academic rigor with industrial relevance. His contributions span diverse domains, from biomedical flow simulations to advanced combustion modeling and energy system optimization. With a Ph.D. from Istanbul Technical University, multiple peer-reviewed publications, and hands-on experience in both experimental validation and computational design, he brings a rare depth of understanding to complex fluid dynamics and multiphysics systems. His leadership in TÜBİTAK- and industry-funded projects, combined with technical mastery of tools such as OpenFOAM, preCICE, and CALCULIX, further reinforces his excellence in research execution and impact delivery. Dr. Pahlavani’s work not only pushes the frontiers of CFD and biomedical engineering but also contributes significantly to sustainability efforts by improving combustion efficiency and reducing emissions in industrial systems. His multilingual proficiency and international collaborations position him as a globally relevant researcher capable of addressing multidisciplinary challenges. Based on his accomplishments and forward-looking research agenda, Dr. Pahlavani is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, and dedication to societal advancement through engineering research mark him as a leader of the future.

Publications Top Notes

1. Effect of red blood cell concentration on the blood flow in patient-specific aneurysms
   2025 | Pahlavani, H.; Ozdemir, I.B.
2. Interactions between non-Newtonian blood flow and deformable walls of a patient-specific aneurysm
   2025 | H. Pahlavani; I.B. Ozdemir
3. Neural network predictive models to determine the effect of blood composition on the patient-specific aneurysm
   2023 | Quadros, J.D.; Pahlavani, H.; Ozdemir, I.B.; Mogul, Y.I.
4. CFD models for aneurysm analyses and their use in identifying thrombosis formation and risk assessment
   2022 | Pahlavani, H.; Ozdemir, I.B.; Yildirim, D.
5. Effects of forebody geometry on side forces on a cylindrical afterbody at high angles of attack
   2020 | Serdaroglu Timucin; Pahlavani Hamed; Ozdemir I. Bedii
6. Effects of air vents on the flow of reacting polyurethane foam in a refrigerator cavity
   2018 | Özdemir, İ.B.; Pahlavani, H.