Ilies is currently pursuing his PhD at KAUST in chemistry with Associate Professor (and CI member) Mani Sarathy. Ilies' research focuses in identifying and quantifying the chemical constituents present in the aerosols released by the new tobacco heating systems.

• Ph.D., Chemical Science, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, 2019-present
  
• M.Sc., Plant Science, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, 2017-2018
  
• ​B.Sc., Medicinal Chemistry, University of Glasgow, UK, 2012-2017
  

• ​Romanian Student of the Year 2018 - Public's choice
• Special Mention - Romanian Student of the Year on other continents 2018

• ​Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC)
  
• Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE)