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Early Bird Discount Ends August 15, 2026 — Save on Full Conference Registration when you register early!
* Early Bird Discount Ends August 15, 2026 — Save on Full Conference Registration when you register early!
Safety & Risk Conference 2026
“ Safe & Responsible AI: Innovation with Integration ”
29th MKO Process Safety Symposium | 81st Instrumentation and Automation Symposium | 5th Ocean Energy Safety Symposium
October 20-22, 2026 at Sonesta Hotel Houston IAH Airport
GUEST SPEAKERS
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Executive Director & CEO, CCPSShakeel came to CCPS in January 2015 as their Executive Director. CCPS is an Industrial Technology Alliance of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers [AIChE]. In nearly 8 years at CCPS, Shakeel has been expanding CCPS globally and driving the CCPS Mission to help minimize significant process safety incidents globally.
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Dr. Abdulrehman Aldeeb is the Head of Technology & Consulting - Process Safety at Siemens Energy, Inc., bringing 25 years of extensive experience in the oil, gas, and chemical industries. His expertise encompasses process safety and risk management, process decarbonization, chemical reactivity hazards, asset integrity management, process digitalization, software product development, as well as business and people leadership.
Since joining Siemens Energy as a Process Safety Consultant in 2004, Dr. Aldeeb has held various leadership roles, including project and engineering management, global Chief Engineer, business lead, and manager of the process safety digital and consulting portfolio.
Dr. Aldeeb holds industry leadership position within the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), serving on both the Planning Board and the Technical Steering Committee. He has contributed as a member and co-chair for several CCPS global conferences, including the Global Conference on Process Safety and Big Data, the Middle East Process Safety Conference, and the Global Summit on Process Safety.
In addition, he is an active member of the API subcommittee on Pressure Relief Systems. Dr. Aldeeb has authored over 25 papers in journals and conference proceedings and has delivered 60 conference presentations.
He earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MS degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Additionally, Dr. Aldeeb has been recognized as a Fellow of the AIChE and CCPS.
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Narayan Ramesh is the Senior R&D Director for Global Analytical Sciences at Core R&D. In this role, Narayan oversees the Global Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Information Research (IR), and Analytical Sciences R&D organizations, ensuring that business needs are met while advancing these groups in line with Dow’s R&D strategy.
Before this, Narayan served as the R&D Director for Engineering & Process Sciences, where he developed Process Technology for various Dow businesses. He collaborated with Manufacturing & Engineering, Supply Chain, and other functions to create new capabilities that support business needs. Under his leadership, the team grew and expanded its influence.
Narayan has held several key R&D roles at Dow, including leading the Characterization and Testing group globally in the Packaging and Specialty Plastics business, Dow's largest division. He supported Manufacturing Process analytical efforts for P&SP and Hydrocarbons, and developed a Knowledge and Testing Strategy to create innovative Knowledge and Lab Automation tools.
He has led teams that developed award-winning products such as AGILITY™ LDPE and the Dow Powerhouse Shingle. AGILITY™ LDPE won the R&D 100 award in the market disruptor category, while the Powerhouse Shingle received wide acclaim in the solar industry, earning numerous awards including:
2009 Time Magazine Best 50 Inventions
2010 Globe Award
2010 Environmental Excellence In Emerging Technology
2012 Edison Award for Global Best New Product
2012 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award
Prior to joining Dow Solar Solutions R&D, Narayan worked at Sabic Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics), where he led a team to successfully commercialize the Extem™ family of polymers. He also pioneered the scale-up and commercialization of a novel devolatilization extrusion technology.
Narayan holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Osmania University in India, a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Rhode Island, and a PhD in chemical engineering from Penn State University, where his research focused on Diffusion in Polymers. He is the author or co-author of 34 patents and patent applications, 72 presentations, 9 conference proceedings, and 13 refereed journal publications.
Narayan is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and has received numerous awards, including:
American Institute of Chemical Engineers Industrial Progress Award
Penn State Alumni Early Career Recognition Award
Diamond Award for the Dow Powerhouse Shingle Development
Gold Team Award for the launch of the EXTEM portfolio of polymers
Materials Research Institute Student Research Award for Research Accomplishment at Penn State
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Dr Michael G. Hamblin holds a BEng (mechanical) with 1st class honours and PhD from the University of Western Australia.
Early in his working life he was involved in farming, open cut gold mining and then consulting on risk-based inspection and mechanical integrity to the Oil and Gas industry.
Since joining Woodside as staff in 1997 he has held many roles including engineering, maintenance and production technical and management positions across LNG plants, offshore platforms and dis-connectable FPSOs as well as leading the Operations division risk management, compliance and process safety assurance activities.
He was also previously General Manager Quality responsible for Quality Management support across all Projects and Operations at Woodside and subsequently Head of HSE Investigations.
Currently Head of Process Safety Michael oversees Process Safety Management across Woodside globally.
See LinkedIn (93) Dr Michael Hamblin | LinkedIn
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Ghassan G. Abulfaraj holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, with a specialization in Safety Engineering, from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He has also completed the Saudi Aramco Management Development Program in Washington, D.C., as well as the Senior Executive Program at the London Business School. Throughout his career, he has attained numerous professional training qualifications and certifications.
Career history
Ghassan has 35 years of experience encompassing fields of technical support, safety and risk management, and fire and emergency management.
He began his career with Saudi Aramco in 1984 in Downstream Operations (Refining) followed by several assignments with Maintenance and Engineering, and subsequently ancillary support operations including Marine, Distribution, and Terminal Operations. Upon gaining his graduate degree, Ghassan returned to Corporate Engineering before joining the Loss Prevention Department in 1993 to head the Loss Prevention area divisions in Abqaiq, Udhailiyah, and later the Central and Western Areas.
He then went on to assume leadership roles in key departments, beginning with Industrial Security Operations in 2012, followed by the Fire Protection Department in 2015, and later the Loss Prevention Department in 2019.
Ghassan was recognized by the International Association of Fire Chiefs for his role in promoting the profession of fire protection and rescue, and was appointed as a chair for the Gulf Council. He was also honored with the title of "Fire Chief of the Year" in 2018, marking the first time this distinction was awarded outside of the United States.
Named Vice President and Chief Loss Prevention Engineer in 2021, Ghassan has since served as the company authority on safety and fire prevention strategies, policies, management system and engineering matters. He provides technical support and counsel, monitor and assure compliance with safety requirements and short and long-term business needs, and coordinates internally and externally on safety matters. He develops strategies and sets direction to support the company’s operations and expansion in oil and gas, ancillary support, unconventional gas, chemicals, and potential joint ventures. Ghassan also oversees global safety assessments, corporate safety programs, and alignment efforts, while also providing loss prevention support and oversight to all Saudi Aramco affiliates.