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My research exists at the intersection of environmental engineering and chemical engineering with a focus on resource recovery and reuse. The process of investigating the water and wastewater field from different perspectives has indicated new and innovative research directions, and my work has led to solutions that address the sustainability challenges in the field. Specifically, I harnessed process design and polymer synthesis coupling with principles and techniques of development, modification, and characterization to systematically explore the performance of the membrane bioreactors and separation processes in different environments.

Sustainable wastewater treatment technologies have attracted significant attention due to their potential to address the growing concerns over environmental pollution and resource scarcity. Among the innovative approaches, the application of bio-electrochemical processes has emerged as a promising solution. Bio-electrochemical systems integrate microorganisms and electrodes to achieve simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy generation. The goal of this research was to understand the mechanisms behind membrane performance in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor and develop guidelines for boosting the biogas production and reducing membrane fouling. A novel system, called AMBER (anaerobic membrane bioreactor with electrolyte regeneration), integrates electrolysis into an anaerobic baffled reactor and was investigated for its impact on startup time, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, volatile fatty acid (VFA) composition, and pH profile. The study revealed that the integration significantly reduced startup time for low-strength synthetic wastewater. In addition, we investigated the mechanical properties of anaerobic biofilms, providing insights into biofilm structure and biofouling. Furthermore, the relationships between membrane properties and filtration performance were systematically explored, demonstrating that the functionalization of nanofiber membranes with silver nanoparticles suppressed bacterial growth. AMBER system can have direct applications in various wastewater treatment scenarios, such as decentralized sewage treatment in small municipalities, mining areas, agriculture facilities, and military bases. Its compact design enables adaptation as a mobile unit, making off-grid living more cost-effective. By harnessing the power of bio-electrochemical processes, we can not only reduce the environmental impact but also turn wastewater into a valuable resource, promoting a circular economy and contributing to sustainable development goals.

Teaching Interests: I am qualified to teach any core courses in chemical and environmental engineering in undergraduate level. I'm specifically interested in Mass Transfer, Calculus, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Process Design, Chemical Engineering Laborotary, Environmental Engineering and Sustainability, and Life Cycle Assessment. As co-instructor for the Chemical Engineering Mass Transfer course at SDSM&T, I incorporated active learning techniques by encouraging students to present their own approaches to specific problems or emailing me the problems they find difficult to solve so we could discuss them further in class.