Find Academic Supervisors

James McDonaldView profile

Lecturer

• Water Treatment
• Membrane Technology
• Trace Organic Contaminants
• +6 more

Dr. James McDonald serves as a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering's Water Research Centre (WRC). His work at the Vallentine Annexe (H22), Room 102, Kensington Campus focuses on advancing water treatment technologies and understanding contaminant behavior in water systems. His position bridges academic instruction with cutting-edge research in environmental engineering. McDonald's research spans multiple critical areas in water science and engineering, with particular emphasis on trace organic contaminants, membrane technologies, and advanced water treatment processes. His work investigates the fate and removal of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial chemicals in various water treatment systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding disinfection by-product formation, chiral inversion of pharmaceuticals, and the development of novel membrane technologies for improved water purification. His research combines experimental approaches with computational modeling to address complex water quality challenges. Analysis of McDonald's recent publications reveals a strong focus on emerging contaminants, particularly PFAS compounds and chiral pharmaceuticals, and their behavior in water treatment systems. His work demonstrates expertise in both conventional and advanced water treatment technologies, with increasing emphasis on sustainable approaches including green infrastructure and novel membrane processes. The interdisciplinary nature of his research connects environmental engineering, chemistry, microbiology, and materials science to address contemporary water quality challenges. McDonald actively collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions and has contributed to numerous significant studies on water quality and treatment. His work supports the development of more effective water recycling systems and safer drinking water supplies. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the available text, his extensive publication record suggests sustained research funding in water treatment technologies and contaminant fate studies. As part of UNSW's Water Research Centre, McDonald contributes to one of Australia's leading water research facilities. The WRC provides a collaborative environment for addressing complex water challenges through interdisciplinary research that integrates engineering, chemistry, and environmental science perspectives.

• Advanced water treatment processes
• Membrane processes
• Ozonation
• +13 more

Prof. Dr. Jörg E. Drewes is a Full Professor and Chair at the Research Institute for Urban Water Management, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. He also serves as Academic Program Director for Environmental Engineering at TUM and is a co-founder of Waterloop Solutions GmbH. His work spans advanced water treatment technologies, wastewater reuse, and environmental health surveillance. Affiliations : TUM, Colorado School of Mines, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, UNSW Water Research Centre Research focuses on advanced oxidation processes , membrane fouling mitigation , micropollutant removal , and wastewater epidemiology for public health. His team develops integrated systems for water-energy-food nexus applications and graphene oxide-based treatment solutions. Recent publications address PFAS remediation , UVC-LED pre-treatment for biofouling control, and GIS-based wastewater surveillance models . Awards include the Bayerische Staatsmedaille (2023) and William Dunbar Medal (2022). 2023 : Bayerische Staatsmedaille 2022 : William Dunbar Medal 2018 : IWA Fellow He leads the Nexus@TUM initiative and contributes to EU water resilience strategies. Collaborations include projects in Germany, China, India, and Spain, focusing on climate-resilient water systems and resource recovery .

Karen I. WineyView profile

Professor

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Energy Applications
• +4 more

Karen I. Winey serves as the Harold Pender Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science. Her research group employs experimental and computational tools to investigate advanced polymers for energy applications, particularly focusing on proton and ion conductivity for fuel cells and batteries within the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM). Dr. Winey's research encompasses: Designing functional polymers to improve proton, hydroxide, and ion conductivity Studying polymer nanocomposites and nanoparticle dynamics in electrochemical devices Developing polymer-to-polymer upcycling methods to convert waste polyolefins to higher value polymers Revolutionizing understanding of ionomer morphologies beyond traditional spherical aggregate models Her recent publications reveal significant advances in sustainable energy materials, particularly fluorine-free alternatives to conventional polymer electrolytes. The research spans fundamental studies of ion transport mechanisms in precisely engineered polymers to practical applications in energy devices. A critical focus is understanding how nanoscale morphology affects macroscopic properties, with particular attention to structure-property relationships in ion-conducting polymers for fuel cells and batteries. Scientific recognition includes: 2025 Turner J. Alfrey Visiting Professor Harold Pender Professorship (endowed chair) NSF DMR Polymers grant awarded July 2025 Dr. Winey actively mentors a diverse research group including PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduates. Her lab recently welcomed six summer undergraduates and has celebrated numerous student achievements including qualifying exam successes and award-winning presentations. Current major projects include the Port5 collaboration and the PolyUp project focused on polymer upcycling through dehydrogenation and functionalization strategies. The Winey Group operates within Penn's state-of-the-art Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST), maintaining active collaborations with institutions including the University of Konstanz in Germany, Florida State University, and Michigan State University. The group regularly hosts international visitors and participates in major conferences including the APS Global Physics Summit.

Subhransu MajiView profile

Associate Professor

• Computer Vision
• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• +5 more

Subhransu Maji is an Associate Professor in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the co-director of the Computer Vision Lab. He is also affiliated with the Center for Data Science and holds a part-time role as an Amazon Scholar. His research focuses on high-level visual recognition algorithms and interdisciplinary applications in ecology and astronomy. He has received prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2018), Best Paper at WACV 2015, and the Google Graduate Fellowship (2008). Education: PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2011), BTech from IIT Kanpur (2006). Prior roles include Research Assistant Professor at Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (2012-2014). Research Interests: Computer Vision Machine Learning AI Applications in Ecology and Astronomy 3D Shape Understanding Climate Science Grants and Funding: Supported by NSF, NASA, Climate Change AI, and industry grants from Facebook, NVIDIA, Adobe, and Dolby. Current projects include satellite imagery analysis for ecology and material science applications using deep learning. Labs and Teams: Leads the Computer Vision Lab, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on ecological monitoring (e.g., bird migration tracking via radar data) and material property prediction (e.g., zeolite adsorption modeling).

• Sustainable Bioenergy
• Circular Economy
• Energy Conversion Systems
• +4 more

Mika Järvinen serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University, leveraging fundamental sciences—physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, and numerical modeling—to address cross-sector energy challenges. His research spans sustainable bioenergy and inter-linked circular economy systems integrating energy, materials, and environmental considerations across biomass, pulp/paper, metallurgy, and waste-to-energy industries. His expertise centers on sustainable bioenergy and circular economy frameworks, utilizing numerical modeling to optimize combustion engineering and metallurgical processes. By maintaining diverse industrial engagement, he ensures research continuity during economic fluctuations while advancing black liquor spraying technologies and energy-material-environment synergies. This approach enables flexible, physics-based solutions for complex industrial energy conversion problems. Professor Järvinen's 2025 publications reveal a cohesive focus on renewable energy systems operating within planetary boundaries, spanning carbon capture (calcium looping), low-temperature heat engines, and comprehensive textbook development. His work integrates solar, wind, bioenergy, and storage technologies into holistic frameworks that balance technical innovation with ecological constraints, emphasizing system-level sustainability over isolated component optimization. His scientific recognition includes: Best Dissertation Award (2002) from Helsinki University of Technology's Department of Machine Technology for research on black liquor droplet conversion Resonate Award (2015) from Caltech University's Resnick Institute As lead of the Energy Conversion and Systems research group, he directs projects bridging fundamental modeling with industrial applications while developing educational resources for next-generation energy engineers. His laboratory work emphasizes experimental validation of numerical models across combustion, metallurgical, and biomass conversion processes.

Neha SharmaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Nutrient Recovery
• Electrochemical Resource Recovery
• Water Reuse
• +2 more

Neha Sharma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University. Her research focuses on nutrient recovery, electrochemical resource recovery, water reuse, trace metal cycling, and pollutant fate and removal.

Robert J. HamersView profile

Professor

• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• +9 more

Robert J. Hamers is a Professor of Chemistry and the Steenbock Professor of Physical Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison . He serves as the Director of the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology , a multi-institutional collaboration, and is a Senior Editor for Accounts of Chemical Research . Additionally, he co-founded the startup Silatronix, Inc. and leads the ACS/UW-Madison Bridge to the Chemistry Doctorate Program . B.S. in Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1980) Ph.D. in Chemistry, Cornell University (1986) Hamers' research focuses on surface chemistry, nanotechnology, and renewable energy , with specific interests in electrochemical energy storage, photoelectron emission mechanisms, and environmental impacts of nanomaterials . His group develops ultra-stable surface chemistries for energy devices and investigates charge-transfer processes at material interfaces . Recent publications highlight advances in diamond-based materials , organosilicon electrolyte additives , and environmental fate of nanomaterials . Scientific recognitions include the Wisconsin Distinguished Professor title. His work bridges fundamental surface science with applied technologies through collaborations with academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry partners like Dow Chemical . The Hamers Group actively trains graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in multidisciplinary approaches.

Omar MatarView profile

Professor

• Interfacial Fluid Mechanics
• Multiphase Flows
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
• +7 more

Professor Omar Matar is a Professor of Fluid Mechanics and RAEng/PETRONAS Research Chair in Multiphase Fluid Dynamics at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London. He leads the Matar Fluids Group, focusing on interfacial fluid mechanics, multiphase flows, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and applications in energy, manufacturing, and nanotechnology. His roles include Head of Department of Chemical Engineering, Director of the PETRONAS Centre for Engineering of Multiphase Systems (PETCEMS), and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Engineering Mathematics. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Princeton University (1993) MEng Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London (1989) Research Interests: Interfacial fluid mechanics, multiphase flows, CFD, and machine learning 2D materials exfoliation and scale-up, immersive technologies (AR/VR) Applications in energy systems, nanotechnology, and personalized education Awards: Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2020) Recipient of the Imperial College President’s Medal (2020) EPSRC Programme Grant Principal Investigator (MEMPHIS, PREMIERE) Grants & Projects: MEMPHIS: £5M EPSRC-funded Programme Grant (2012–2017) PREMIERE: EPSRC Programme Grant (2019–present) PETCEMS: PETRONAS-funded Centre for Multiphase Systems Engineering Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Matar Fluids Group, collaborating with institutions like UCL, University of Edinburgh, and industry partners such as BP and First Light Fusion. Active in developing high-performance CFD codes (e.g., BLUE) and machine learning-driven models for multiphase systems.

Santiago Romero-Vargas CastrillonView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Membrane Technology
• Environmental Engineering
• Colloid and Interface Science
• +4 more

Dr Santiago Romero-Vargas Castrillon is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, affiliated with the Institute for Infrastructure and Environment and the School of Engineering. He previously held positions at the University of Minnesota and Yale University. His research focuses on membrane technology, environmental nanomaterials, and biofouling mitigation. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering (Princeton University), postdoctoral research at Yale, and degrees from McGill University and University of Western Ontario. Research interests include colloid science, membrane separations, and 2D nanomaterial applications. Key projects involve developing novel cleaning processes for water treatment membranes and studying bioadhesion mechanisms using AFM. Recent awards include RSE Young Academy membership and EPSRC funding. He actively supervises PhD students and collaborates with industry partners like Panton-McLeod.

Taner AkbayView profile

Professor

• Materials Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Physical Metallurgy
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Taner Akbay is a faculty member at Yeditepe University, Faculty of Engineering , Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering. He has held academic positions at institutions including Kyushu University, Oita University, and Imperial College London. Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (1993, Imperial College London); Master’s (1989) and Bachelor’s (1986) degrees from Middle East Technical University. His research spans Materials Engineering , Metallurgy , and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) , with a focus on oxide ion conductivity, laser surface treatment, and phase transformations. Recent work explores photocatalysis , anion intercalation , and CO2 reduction using computational and experimental approaches. Key article trends include SOFC optimization (2004–2009), strain effects on catalysts (2015–2020), and dual-carbon battery technology (2016–2020). His work bridges fundamental metallurgy and advanced energy materials . Scientific Awards: Postdoctoral Research Sponsorship Award (EPSRC, UK) JSPS Fellowship (Japan) Daiwa Adrian Prize (2016, UK) PhD Studentship at Imperial College (European Commission) He has supervised multiple PhD and Master’s theses, including projects on dual-carbon batteries , microwave absorption nanocomposites , and rare earth recovery . Administrative roles include Head of Department (2020–2021). Non-University Experience: Worked with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (2001), Çolakoğlu Metalurji (2010), and National Research Council Canada (2009).

Anne BOUTINView profile

Professor

• Thermodynamics
• Molecular Simulation
• Porous Materials
• +6 more

Anne BOUTIN is a Research Director at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Professor at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Paris, France. She leads the Department of Chemistry at ENS, focusing on the thermodynamics of confined fluids and molecular simulations of porous materials like metal-organic frameworks (MIL-53, ZIF-8) and zeolites. Education: Habilitation (1999), PhD in Chemical Physics (1992), Graduate of École Normale Supérieure (1992), MSc (1990) – all from University of Paris XI, Orsay. Positions: CNRS Research Fellow (1994–2009, University of Paris XI; 2009–present, ENS), Visiting Scientist at UC Santa Barbara (1999), Postdoctoral at Imperial College London (1993–1994). Research spans thermodynamic modeling of adsorption-induced structural transitions, polarizable force fields for charged materials, fluid dynamics in nanopores, and stability analysis of flexible frameworks. Google Scholar highlights recent work on electrolyte intrusion (2023) and defect impacts in zeolites (2023). Publications emphasize computational approaches to water confinement , gas separation , and material flexibility . Her 41+ peer-reviewed articles reflect expertise in Monte Carlo , molecular dynamics , and force field development . Awards: Nathalie Demassieux PhD Award (1993) CNRS Bronze Medal (1999) Legion of Honor (2017) Teaching: Statistical thermodynamics. Students: Supervised 17 PhD/postdoc directions.

• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• Nanomaterials
• In Situ Spectroscopic Techniques
• +7 more

Dr. Simon Beaumont is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University , with additional responsibilities as Associate Dean (PGR) in the Faculty of Science. His research program integrates heterogeneous catalysis , nanomaterials , and in situ spectroscopic techniques to develop sustainable chemical processes. BA & MSci Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge (2003-2007) PhD in Heterogeneous Catalysis, University of Cambridge (2010) Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Berkeley (2010-2012) Research foci include mechanistic studies of catalytic processes, nanoparticle synthesis , and in situ characterization via X-ray absorption (NEXAFS), DRIFTS, and Raman. His work addresses challenges in CO2 hydrogenation , biomass conversion , and environmental remediation , supported by national/EU/industrial funding. Recent publications highlight trends in selective hydrogenation (furfural), multi-functional catalysts (acid-base systems), and nanoparticle stability under reactive conditions. All studies emphasize molecular-level understanding for practical catalyst design. Scientific awards include Leverhulme Trust and Addison Wheeler fellowships. Teaching portfolio spans first-year laboratories , organic chemistry tutorials , and advanced catalysis lectures . Supervision of five research postgraduates and leadership of industry-funded projects further demonstrate his academic impact.

• Energy Systems Optimization
• Conceptual Process Design
• Life Cycle Assessment
• +8 more

Prof. Dr. André Bardow is a Full Professor in Energy and Process Systems Engineering at ETH Zurich , leading research at the intersection of thermodynamics, machine learning, and sustainable energy systems. Previously, he held professorships at RWTH Aachen University (2010-2020) and TU Delft (2007-2010). He also served as part-time director at Forschungszentrum Jülich (2017-2022) and visiting professor at UC Santa Barbara (2015/16). His work focuses on energy systems optimization , computer-aided molecular design , and CO2 capture & utilization . PhD from RWTH Aachen University Current ETH Zurich affiliation Former roles at RWTH Aachen, TU Delft, Jülich Research Center His research integrates machine learning with thermodynamic modeling to optimize processes like crystallization and electrochemical cooling . Recent publications demonstrate advancements in solvent design, CO2 transport LCA, and ORC working fluid optimization. He chairs the VDI Technical Committee for Thermodynamics (2016-2024) and has received multiple awards including the Covestro Science Award and Arnold-Eucken-Award . Current projects address carbon circular economies , electrified chemical production , and AI-driven process optimization . His lab at ETH Zurich develops cutting-edge technologies like ML-CAMPD frameworks for sustainable separation processes and photoacid-based CO2 capture systems. Funding from the H2020 Systemic Expansion of Circular Ecosystems (grant 101036854) supports these initiatives. 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher 2022 Inaugural Lecture: "To sustainability and beyond: A computer-animated story on energy & chemicals" Recipient of multiple teaching and research excellence awards

Richard D. NobleView profile

Research Professor

• Membrane Science
• Gas Separation
• Ionic Liquids
• +6 more

Richard D. Noble is a Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on advanced membrane technologies for gas and liquid separations, with particular expertise in ionic liquids, liquid crystals, and the application of external fields for selective separations. He maintains an active laboratory in Cristol Chemistry (room 357) and collaborates extensively with Professor Doug Gin on many research projects. Noble received his BE and ME from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1968 and 1969 respectively, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in 1976. His educational background in engineering has provided a strong foundation for his research in chemical engineering and materials science. Professor Noble's research program centers on three interconnected areas. His primary focus is on ionic liquids for gas separations , where he evaluates various ionic liquids and complexation chemistry to tailor material properties to specific feed mixtures. He explores composite polymer/IL structures and incorporation of complexation chemistry and zeolites, and has developed specialized apparatus to measure gas solubility and diffusivity in ionic liquids. This work is conducted in collaboration with Professor Doug Gin. His second research thrust involves the use of external fields for selective separations . Noble studies how electric or light energy can enhance separation processes by changing binding affinity of complexing agents. His notable achievement is an electrochemical pump with no moving parts that produces pressures exceeding 20 atm, with applications in lab-on-a-chip and micro-scale devices. He also develops charged polymer structures for membrane separators with wide temperature and chemical stability. His third major area focuses on liquid crystals organized to form nanostructured polymer network films. These cross-linked stable films are evaluated for nanofiltration applications, particularly in water filtration including treatment of water from fracking operations. This work often intersects with his ionic liquids research, creating composite structures with potential applications in electrochemical pumps. Noble's publication record from 2017-2019 shows consistent focus on membrane technologies for separation processes, with increasing sophistication in membrane design incorporating ionic liquids, liquid crystals, and novel materials like pillar[5]arenes. His work demonstrates a clear trend toward addressing practical industrial challenges, particularly in natural gas purification (CO 2 /CH 4 separation) and environmental applications (treatment of fracking wastewater). His collaborations have produced high-impact work published in top journals including Nature Materials , Journal of Membrane Science , and Angewandte Chemie . Professor Noble has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his contributions: AIChE Institute Service to Society Award (2005) Alfred T. and Betty E. Look Professor of Chemical Engineering (2005-present) Multiple Outstanding Graduate Teaching Awards from the Chemical Engineering Department (2006-2008) ACS Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Division Fellow (2007) CU Boulder Inventor of the Year (2008) Barrer Lecture at Penn State University (2008) Fellow at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (2009-2012) Robert L. Stearns Award from CU Alumni Association (2010) Chair d'Excellence Pierre de Fermat at Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse (2010) AIChE Institute Excellence in Industrial Gas Technology Award (2010) And numerous others through 2015 While specific grant details aren't provided, Noble's extensive publication record with multiple co-authors suggests active research mentoring and well-funded projects. His work on sophisticated apparatus and high-quality publications indicates substantial research support. His collaborations, especially with Doug Gin, suggest a strong research group environment focused on membrane science and separation technologies. Professor Noble's research operates at the intersection of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science. His laboratory includes facilities for membrane fabrication, gas separation testing, and characterization of novel materials. The development of specialized apparatus for measuring gas properties in ionic liquids suggests dedicated equipment for fundamental property measurements. His work on electrochemical pumps indicates capabilities in microfluidics and device fabrication, with the collaborative nature of his research suggesting a team approach to tackling complex separation challenges.

• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Photocatalytic Materials
• Water Quality Engineering
• +3 more

Jaehong Kim is the Henry P. Becton Sr. Professor of Engineering at Yale University, where he serves as Professor and Chair of Chemical and Environmental Engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Prior to joining Yale in 2013, he held the Georgia Power Distinguished Professor position at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research bridges environmental science, chemical engineering, and nanotechnology, focusing on photocatalytic materials, water quality engineering, and sustainable solutions for global health contexts. Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2002) M.S., Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University (1997) B.S., Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University (1995) Kim’s work addresses water treatment through advanced oxidation processes , electrochemical systems , and single-atom catalysts , with applications in nitrate removal, fluoride transport, and solar disinfection. His research emphasizes nanotechnology for environmental remediation and public health engineering in developing regions. Recent publications highlight electrified membranes for nitrate conversion, photothermal water disinfection , and single-atom catalysts for pollutant degradation. His team explores atomic-scale engineering and green chemistry approaches to enhance reaction efficiency and material durability. Georgia Power Distinguished Professor Yale Superfund Research Center investigator Kim leads interdisciplinary efforts in environmental health through collaborations with Yale School of Public Health and the School of the Environment. His lab develops monolithic catalytic membranes and nanobiochars for sustainable water treatment, balancing technical innovation with global accessibility.