Saleh commenced his academic journey at K.N. Toosi University of Technology in Tehran, Iran, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Communications Engineering. He subsequently pursued graduate studies in Microwave and Applied Electromagnetics at Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), conducting master's thesis research on the "Investigation, Simulation and Design of Electromagnetic Energy Tunneling in ENZ Metamaterial-Loaded Transmission Lines." This work was ultimately published in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

On August 19, 2019, Saleh received an offer of admission and a scholarship from the University of Melbourne. However, fate intervened when the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted global order, forcing him to postpone his study plans. He anxiously waited four months for his visa, only to face Australia's border closures that barred all international students from entering the country. Undeterred by these challenges, Saleh proactively began a remote collaboration with Professor Kenneth Crozier to research metasurface holography——embarking on his academic journey even before formally commencing his doctoral studies. His perseverance bore fruit when his visa was finally approved on May 25, 2021, allowing him to begin this new chapter. During this transitional period, his work with Professor Crozier yielded a publication in Optics Express, while his continued collaboration with his master's supervisor led to a U.S. patent application in 2022.

In December 2021, Saleh formally commenced his doctoral studies at the University of Melbourne. Three months into his program, Professor Crozier presented him with a remarkable opportunity - a joint PhD research collaboration with Professor Yaping Dan at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Initially hesitant about this pivotal decision that would significantly impact both his academic trajectory and personal life for years to come, Saleh found his reservations gradually alleviated during his interview with Professor Dan. The professor's infectious enthusiasm for research, methodological rigor, and lucid articulation of the project's vision ultimately convinced him. Following SJTU's international admissions procedures, Saleh was officially enrolled as a dual-degree PhD candidate between the two institutions in September 2022. His current research focuses on single-pixel imaging utilizing two-dimensional material photodetectors, a project that effectively bridges his academic work at both Melbourne and SJTU.

Saleh spent the first half of his PhD career, mainly studying and researching at the University of Melbourne, developing single-pixel imaging devices. He has achieved encouraging results using bP-MoS2 photodiodes in the visible spectral range and captured low-resolution images in the infrared range. He presented preliminary results at CLEO 2023.

In June 2023, Saleh traveled to Shanghai Jiao Tong University to continue his research under the supervision of Prof Dan. His goal was to design a photodetector capable of resolving bP-MoS2 limitations and achieving high pixel resolution in the near-infrared range. With the support of Prof Dan's brilliant team, Saleh successfully developed a phototransistor using multilayer MoS2 gated by a PN junction under the channel. The research has been completed and uploaded to ArXiv and is under review by a leading journal.

On his return to Melbourne in July 2024, Saleh brought back some of the bP-MoS2 devices he had prepared at SJTU to continue his single-pixel imaging research. These devices, the culmination of his studies and research at SJTU, are the result of countless days and nights of hard work. Excitingly, these new photodetectors have demonstrated superior performance to commercial detectors. With the assistance of Jin-Yuan Chen (a PhD student in Prof Crozier's research group), Saleh has successfully captured short-wave infrared images and is currently writing a paper on the study of this bP-MoS2 photodiode.

In addition to single-pixel imaging research, he continues to work on hypersurface holography and has submitted a related manuscript to Applied Physics Letters and is in the first round of revisions.

While dedicated to his research, Saleh is also a supportive and collaborative team player. He encouraged his group members to participate in CLEO-PR 2024, which resulted in the team submitting seven conference papers——one of them, co-authored by Saleh, received the Optica Student Paper Award. His accomplishments serve as both motivation and a role model for students considering a joint PhD program.

Outside the lab, Saleh's life is just as colourful. He joined a futsal team, where he and his teammates sweated it out on the green pitch and chased victory together. Their teamwork and perseverance earned them second place in the 2022 PFEC x VIT Futsal Championship. This is not only a testament to Saleh's team spirit, but also to his leadership skills.

During his time at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Saleh joined the university’s dragon boat team, immersing himself in the unique charm of this ancient sport. Guided by the rhythmic drumbeats, he and his teammates paddled in unison, cutting through the waves——experiencing both the power of teamwork and the thrill of speed. This adventure not only brought him the joy of sports but also deepened his appreciation for cultural diversity. At the Yangtze River Delta High-Level International Student Academic Forum in Hangzhou, Saleh exchanged ideas and shared experiences with bright young minds from around the world, engaging in discussions on academics and the future. During a trip to Beijing, he wandered through centuries-old hutongs, explored historical relics, and felt the rich heritage of the ancient capital blending with the energy of a modern metropolis.

Saleh's journey is not just about academic achievement; it is a testament to resilience, collaboration, and the joy of knowing. His story inspires others to bravely embrace their doctoral journeys, reminding them that with determination and perseverance, they too can achieve the academic aspirations they have in mind. He says, ‘Always be patient. If your life story doesn't have a happy ending at this moment, it must not be the end of the story. You can't predict the wonderful events, can you?’