Mr Alex (Abolfazl) Hashemi
PhD in Petroleum Engineering, 2019–2023
University of Adelaide
Thesis: Advanced Theory for Colloidal Detachment of Detrital and Authigenic Fines in Rocks
Supervisor: Pavel Bedrikovetsky
Master of Science, 2003–2005
Delft University of Technology
Thesis supervised by Cor van Kruijsdijk
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Hydrocarbon Exploitation), 1998–2002
Abolfazl Hashemi joined the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering at UNSW as an Associate Lecturer in 2023. He completed his PhD between 2019 and 2023 at the University of Adelaide, where he worked on a multidisciplinary project investigating the breakage of authigenic particles in porous media under fluid drag forces. His doctoral research culminated in the development of a new analytical solution to the Timoshenko Beam Theory.
Before pursuing his PhD, Abolfazl spent approximately 12 years working in the industry. He earned his Master’s degree (2003–2005) from TU Delft in the Netherlands, where he gained extensive knowledge in geology and geoscience. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Hydrocarbon Exploitation) from Iran.
At UNSW, Abolfazl teaches courses such as Fundamental of Mining Engineering, Minerals Energy Resources, and Transient Flow Analysis.
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
- 2025-2026, Investigating Cement Strength, $35,000
- 2023-2025, iStress, $30,000
- Dean’s Commendation for Excellence, University of Adelaide – Awarded in recognition of outstanding doctoral performance.
- Master’s Degree with Honours, Delft University of Technology
- Core-based estimation of in-situ stresses using Diametrical Core Deformation Analysis (DCDA) integrated with Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring techniques.
- Design and development of DilaStress, a novel downhole tool for in-situ stress measurement in subsurface formations.
- Laboratory-based rock mechanics testing, including UCS, Triaxial, Shear, Brazilian, and nano-indentation.
- Investigation of temperature–strength correlations in shotcrete materials for underground support applications.
- Application of nanoparticle-based solutions to enhance clay stabilization in Coal Bed Methane (CBM) production wells.
- Evaluation of sand particle injection techniques to mitigate permeability damage following well workover operations.
- Construction and calibration of geological and geomechanical models for subsurface characterization.
- Collaborative research with mining industry partners for in-situ stress estimation in hard rocks
- Collaborative research with gas industry partners for mitigating clay particle production using nano-particle solution
- Development of applied technologies including a novel in-situ stress measurement tool (DilaStress) for field application purpose
- Active engagement with the International Geomechanics Society (IGS), including membership on technical committees and annual presentation of research papers.
- Peer-reviewers for journals
My Teaching
- Fundamental of Mining Engineering (MINE8101)
- Minerals Resources Engineering (MINE1010)
- Transient Flow Anlysis(MERE5003)