Our values

Impact

Our work is designed for scale. By applying solutions in operational contexts, we deliver measurable outcomes that contribute to decarbonization, sustainable fuel adoptions, and a circular carbon economy.

Innovation

Innovation is central to our mission. We focus on translating research into scalable solutions—bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and real-world implementation through rigorous experimentation and systems-level design.

Collaboration

At Team Roberts, we prioritize strategic collaborations with industrial partners and academic institutions to address complex challenges of decarbonization, sustainable fuels, and industrial emissions. By integrating cross-sector expertise, we can accelerate the development and deployment of scalable technologies with industrial applications.

About the Principal Investigator

 
Professor William Roberts

Professor William Roberts is a leading figure in energy and environmental research, known for his pioneering work in combustion science, multi-pollutant carbon capture, and sustainable fuels. With decades of experience in both academia and industry, he brings a unique perspective to the lab—bridging deep scientific inquiry with practical, scalable solutions. Under his leadership, Team Roberts has grown into a globally recognized hub for innovation, collaboration, and impact. Professor Roberts is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of curiosity, rigor, and purpose. His vision drives the team’s mission: to conduct transformative research that addresses real-world challenges and contributes to a more sustainable future.

 

 

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As a team we are guided by three core principles

Team Roberts is a multidisciplinary research group comprising over 35 researchers—including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and scientists—the team conducts both fundamental and applied research with a clear emphasis on scalability and industrial relevance.

 

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SCIENCE IN ACTION.

DRIVEN TO SOLVE.

MADE TO SCALE.

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Varaha Prasad Sarvothaman, Ph.D.

Research Scientists

Research Scientist

Current

Location:

B5-4630

Social Profile:

Biography

As a research scientist at KAUST, I leverage my expertise in chemical engineering to develop innovative solutions for water treatment and leverage my knowledge in using cavitation for industrial processes. I have successfully led a team to apply cavitation to intensify water treatment, resulting in significant cost savings and time reduction. I have also contributed to the development of vortex-diode based hydrodynamic cavitation devices for effluent treatment. My goal is to continue advancing the field of chemical engineering and applying my knowledge to real-world problems.

Research Interests

Having worked on different cavitation reactor types - acoustic and hydrodynamic, I have learnt their relative advantages and disadvantages. Interested in leveraging them for industrial applications and seeing them applied on the field, specifically for water treatment.

Selected Publications

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2025.107362
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsengineeringau.4c00036
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.148593
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9783527346448

Education

  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, 2020
  • M. Tech, Chemical Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, India, 2016
  • B. Tech, Chemical Engineering, SASTRA University, India, 2014

Professional Profile

  • 2025 Jun to Present: Research Scientist, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
  • 2022 - 2025: Postdoctoral Fellow, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
  • 2020 - 22: Research Fellow, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. 

KAUST Affiliations

  • Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC)

  • Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE)

Research Interests Keywords

Water Treatment Hydrodynamic Cativation Process Intensification