Sherif Fakher, SPE, is an assistant professor of petroleum and energy engineering at The American University in Cairo (AUC), where his research focuses on petroleum production engineering, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), advanced materials, and sustainable energy technologies.
He has authored more than 80 research publications and has led multiple local, regional, and international research grants on petroleum production engineering, sustainable material development, and CCUS.
He serves on the SPE Sustainable Development Technical Section Board, helping shape global initiatives that advance the energy transition. He is an active leader within SPE, serving as faculty advisor of the SPE AUC Student Chapter, and frequently delivering technical sessions and presentations at SPE conferences and events, including SPE Egypt.
Through his research, professional leadership, and outreach, he has mentored hundreds of young professionals and students while strengthening collaboration between academia and industry. His contributions to innovation, sustainability, and SPE have earned him multiple national and international recognitions. He was recently named a 2026 TWA Energy Influencer.
In this interview with The Way Ahead, he shares his perspectives on academia's role as a bridge between research and industry, among other topics.
Piergiuseppe Fiore (PF): What was your initial reaction when you learned you had been selected as a 2026 TWA Energy Influencer?
Sherif Fakher (SF): I was extremely excited and very proud to have been selected for the recognition.
PF: How do you hope this recognition will help amplify the work you're doing in research, education, and the energy industry?
SF: Being recognized as a 2026 TWA Energy Influencer showed me that I am moving in the right direction and encouraged me to do more and progress even faster in my research and overall work.
PF: What originally drew you to petroleum and energy engineering?
SF: When I was deciding on my major for my undergraduate, I was looking for an engineering program that combined chemistry and geology, my two favorite sciences. Here I am now, with a bachelor;s, master's, and PhD in petroleum engineering.
PF: Your career spans research, teaching, and industry engagement. How have those experiences complemented one another?
SF: I believe that as a university faculty, I am the link between academia and industry. My job is to understand what the industry needs and provide it through educating future engineers, fine-tuning my research, and creating the link through services to the profession as a whole.
PF: Looking back, what has been the most defining moment of your professional career?
SF: The most defining moment for me was when I was hired as an assistant professor at AUC. Not only did I suddenly feel responsible for more than 100 students, but I also felt a higher sense of responsibility for the petroleum and energy engineering department as whole, having finished my undergraduate studies there.
PF: CCUS is a major focus of your research. What advances in CCUS are you most excited about right now?
SF: I feel that people are finally beginning to comprehend that CO2 is not a waste that we need to get rid of, but rather a commodity that we need to utilize effectively.
PF: Sustainable materials are another area of your work. What innovations do you believe could have the greatest impact on energy sustainability over the next decade?
SF: The main innovations that will have the greatest impact on sustainability are the ones that will come from what we refer to today as “waste products.” As engineers, we need to understand that there is no such thing as waste. It is simply a word that we use to define our lack of understanding of how to effectively and economically use the material.
PF: How important is collaboration between academia and industry when solving energy transition challenges?
SF: Both complement each other greatly. The industry relies on academia to provide well-educated, highly enthusiastic, and competitive engineers, while academia relies on the industry to provide challenges and needs that will be fulfilled through research and technological advancements.
PF: You've mentored hundreds of students and young professionals. What common traits do you see in those who go on to become successful leaders?
SF: I think the most successful students and young professionals are the humblest ones, who work hard, respect everyone in their workspace, and understand that however knowledgeable they become, they still have something to learn from everyone around them.
PF: What advice would you give a young professional who is just beginning a career in energy?
SF: Don’t aim to start as a manager. Start at the lowest level and climb the ladder gradually. When you reach a high position, you will appreciate it and will also work hard to help the members of your team who are just beginning.
PF: What role should professional organizations such as SPE play in developing the next generation of energy leaders?
SF: SPE is the backbone of all petroleum engineers. It is where everyone gets to meet everyone regardless of their status, job, or title. I believe that SPE should focus on ensuring that the current students and young professionals understand and believe that the industry is not going to disappear and will remain strong for many years to come.
PF: If you could give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?
SF: Never underestimate any information you learn, because someday, even after many years, it will prove to be useful.