Advisory Team
Meet Our Expert Advisors
Our advisory team consists of seasoned experts and professional engineers from various interdisciplinary backgrounds home and abroad, dedicated to providing quality and timely service to our clients.
Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering and Innovator
Mohd Hafiz Othman is a Professor in Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, and the Chair of Frontier Research Alliance at the University of Technology Malaysia. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), and also Head of Renewable Energy Research Group. He received his Bachelor and Master degrees from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia and PhD from Imperial College London, United Kingdom.
Prof. Hafiz has distinguished himself in championing high-quality research that has culminated into pilot projects and full-scale deployments of sustainable innovation across the water, wastewater, environmental management and energy generation space.
Charming, innovative, and deeply committed, Prof. Hafiz continues to inspire both his peers and the next generation of researchers to push the boundaries of energy and environmental solutions.
Distinguished Industry Leader and Produced Water Specialist
Steve Coffee is President of the Produced Water Society, a 35-year-old Texas-based non-profit, and the Director of International Business Development and Marketing for Produced Water Solutions, with its headquarters in Louisiana.
Steve has over 30 years of produced water experience focusing on filtration & separation technologies in the upstream oil & gas industry. A trusted and recognized subject matter expert in this field with expertise in the international arena for onshore & offshore for produced water management, produced water treatment, recycling/reuse and EOR as well as an innovator in hydrocyclones and sand management.
Steve has authored over 29 technical papers, published 4 articles, and played a key role in several product development teams over the years, leading to 12 new products overall. Additionally, he created PWS’ Young Professional Program and is an active member in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), SPE’s eMentor program, SPE Middle East Executive Committee, SPE Water Management Technical Committee, a founding member of the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, as well as serves on several stakeholder boards, including US Department of Energy’s PARETO project.
Circular Economy Specialist and Energy Thought Leader
Dr. Rajendra Ghimire is a recognized thought leader in the water, energy, chemicals, and sustainability sectors. He currently serves as the Director of Business Development for Produced Water at Badwater Alchemy, where he leads global business development initiatives within the energy industry. Raj is a key advocate for transforming produced water management from a linear to a circular economy.
Raj holds an Executive MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
In addition to his professional roles, Raj actively contributes as the volunteer Commercial & Business Lead for the Produced Water Society, collaborating on global initiatives. He also serves as a Director of Workshops for the SPE Water Lifecycle Management Technical Section. Raj is an Executive Advisor to Savoil Energy, a Strategic Advisor to Water Reuse Technology, and an Advisor to Clearyst and Cloudsyte. Additionally, he has mentored multiple cohorts as an Industry Mentor for the National Science Foundation (NSF)-I-Corps.
Global Finance Strategist
Prof. Ali Garba is the visionary Chairman & CEO of Akufai Capital & Equities, LLC, a Milwaukee-based firm specializing in angel investing, venture capital, and private equity. With over 44 years of leadership in the financial services industry, he brings unparalleled expertise across investment banking, commercial banking, wealth management, and international financial advisory. His strategic acumen has shaped portfolios and driven growth at premier institutions worldwide.
Prior to founding Akufai Capital, Prof. Garba held executive roles at top-tier firms, including First Vice President & Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo, where he honed his skills in risk management and high-value asset strategies. His career began with leadership positions at prominent Nigerian and U.S. financial institutions, laying the groundwork for his global perspective.
A respected academic, Prof. Garba served as an Adjunct Professor of Finance & Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Lubar School of Business for 12 years, while also mentoring MBA candidates at Concordia University and Cardinal Stritch University. His academic rigor complements his practical insights, making him a sought-after voice in financial education.
Prof. Garba’s credentials include a Doctorate in Business Administration (International Business), an MBA (Finance), and a BBA (Finance), bolstered by industry certifications such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and LUTCF.