Mohamed Rozki, PhD in Civil Engineering, alumni EDENE Cohort#1

Your doctoral journey

What are you most proud of in your doctoral journey?

I am most proud of applying fluid mechanics to real cases of wave impact on coastal defenses. During my thesis, I built and ran CFD models in OpenFOAM ® that reproduced how waves and bores hit sea walls. I matched those simulations to experimental measurements. Seeing my models agree with real data gave me strong confidence in my work and in the power of numerical methods.

What are the impacts of your research on the academic, socio-economic, or environmental areas?

My research guides engineers and decision-makers. It shows how individual waves generate two distinct peaks of force on barriers. With this insight, teams can design temporary defenses—sandbags or mobile walls—that can work efficiently.

Your experience at UPPA

What skills did you develop over the years (scientific, transferable, interpersonal…)?

I grew strong skills in fluid mechanics and numerical modeling. I learned to set up, run, and validate CFD simulations. I mastered processing large data sets and checking results against field measurements. I also gained clear writing and confident speaking skills. I can now share complex ideas in simple, direct terms.
Question 2: Did you benefit from international mobility or interdisciplinary collaborations?
Through EDENE, I presented my work at national and international conferences:

• Journées Nationales Génie Côtier – Génie Civil, Chatou (2022)
• UHINAK, Irun (2022 & 2024)
• OpenFOAM Workshop, Genoa (2023)
• Journées Nationales Génie Côtier, Anglet (2024)
• International Conference on Coastal Engineering, Rome (2024)

These events helped me develop my network and confront my ideas with the wider scientific community.

Your career perspectives

How did being part of the H2020 MSCA COFUND EDENE programme influence your career path?

EDENE taught me more than science. It taught project planning, teamwork, and outreach. It gave me a European network of academics and industry partners. That support shaped my approach to research and opened doors for future collaborations.

Is your current position aligned with your academic background and aspirations?

I am now in a two-year postdoc at SIAME, in the same lab where I conducted my thesis. This position lets me continue applying fluid-mechanics models. I remain open to academic researcher roles or R&D positions in industry.

Want to know more?   

The EDENE doctoral programme, funded by the European H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND initiative and managed by the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour (UPPA), aims to train international researchers in the fields of energy and the environment. By promoting an interdisciplinary, intersectoral, and international approach, the programme helps strengthen the impact of research on these major challenges. Between 2021 and 2026, 30 high-potential international PhD candidates were recruited, bringing substantial added value to scientific and technological innovation in these strategic areas.

EDENE programme presentation