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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.

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

Professor Jianhua Guo is a faculty member at The University of Queensland (UQ), holding the position of Professor and UQ Amplify Fellow in the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB). He is also the ACWEB Deputy Director - Research. His research focuses on integrating process engineering, environmental microbiology, and biotechnology to develop sustainable solutions for contaminant removal in water and wastewater systems. He is a pioneer in studying the environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly how non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals and chemicals contribute to AMR spread. His groundbreaking work has been featured in over 100 media outlets and has secured over $14M in research funding. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nature Microbiology , Water Research , and Environmental Science & Technology . His accolades include the 2013 DECRA and 2017 ARC Future Fellowship. He serves as an editor for Journal of Hazardous Materials and Water Science & Technology . Research Interests Environmental AMR and microbial ecology Methane-based biotechnology and bioconversion Nitrogen cycling microorganisms Bioremediation and biofilm reactors Microplastics and health risks Wastewater treatment innovations Grants & Funding $14M+ in ARC Discovery/Linkage grants and industry partnerships ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance (CEA-StAR) Dual-membrane upgrading and anaerobic alkane oxidation projects Awards 2013 DECRA 2017 ARC Future Fellowship Supervision Prof. Guo actively supervises PhD and master’s students in areas like AMR mitigation, methane-based bioreactors, and microbial ecology. Notable supervised projects include studies on antibiotic resistance in wastewater, novel disinfection processes, and microbial oxidation of gaseous alkanes. Labs & Teams He leads research teams within ACWEB and collaborates with the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Science. His lab focuses on cutting-edge technologies like membrane biofilm reactors and gas fermentation systems.

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Wastewater Treatment
• +7 more

Scientia Professor Nasser Khalili is the Head of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He also serves as the Director of the ARC Research Hub for Resilient and Intelligent Infrastructure Systems (RIIS), President of the Australian Association for Computational Mechanics (AACM), and a core member of the International Technical Committee on Unsaturated Soil (TC106). His research focuses on geotechnical engineering, computational mechanics, porous media behavior, and sustainable infrastructure systems. Key areas of expertise include unsaturated soils, hydraulic fracturing modeling, and advanced material characterization for asphalt mixtures. Professor Khalili's work integrates computational methods with experimental analysis to address challenges in infrastructure resilience and environmental sustainability. He has pioneered studies on pore pressure dynamics, fracture mechanics in porous media, and the application of waste materials in construction. His leadership roles in national and international committees reflect his influence in advancing geotechnical and computational engineering practices. His scientific contributions include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing machine learning applications in civil engineering and innovative solutions for sustainable asphalt mixes. Awards include Fellowship of the Academy, recognizing his significant impact on the field.

• Civil Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Unsaturated Soils
• +4 more

Distinguished Professor Peter Ralph is a faculty member at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), holding the position of Professor of Marine Biology within the Faculty of Science and serving as the Executive Director of the Climate Change Cluster (C3). He is also the founder of the NSW Deep Green Biotech Hub and an influential member of global initiatives such as UNESCO’s Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group and the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Global Change Research Centre. Leadership Roles: Director of the Climate Change Cluster, Deputy-Chair of Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences. Research Collaborations: Partnerships with CSIRO, industry, NGOs, and international institutions. Key Contributions: Over 280 publications and $15M+ in research funding. His research focuses on algae-based solutions to climate change and sustainability, including carbon capture, bioplastic production, waste-water remediation, and circular bio-economy models. He explores advanced manufacturing through Industry 4.0 integration and zero-waste bio-refinery approaches, while also advancing algal phenomics using automated high-throughput screening systems. Recent articles highlight innovations in AI-driven biorefinery optimization, microalgal bioprospecting, and mutagenesis techniques for rare earth element extraction. His work bridges environmental science with engineering, addressing challenges in algae cultivation scalability and commercialization. Scientific Awards: 2012 and 2018 UTS Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards. Peter has secured major grants, including the Fermentalg PhD Project on Microalgae Screening, PNG Natural Seafood’s Macroalgae Product Development, and the Winifred Trust Foundation’s Aquaculture initiative. His research teams collaborate across disciplines to transform algae into sustainable resources for food, energy, and biomanufacturing. He leads UTS’s Climate Change Cluster (C3), a hub for interdisciplinary climate research, and actively promotes algae-building technologies and carbon storage innovations through biomasonry products.

• Algae Biotechnology
• Marine Biology
• Seagrass Ecology
• +9 more

Andy Ball is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Science at RMIT University, specializing in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. He leads the ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource and has held key roles at institutions including the University of Essex and Flinders University. His research focuses on bioremediation, organic waste treatment, and environmental pollution solutions, with over 300 peer-reviewed publications and significant industry collaboration. Andy's academic career spans 30 years, with roles such as Director of the Centre for Environment and Society at Essex and Director of Flinders Bioremediation. He has attracted >$22M in research grants, particularly in applied environmental microbiology. His awards include the Royal Society of Victoria Medal (2021) and RMIT Research Excellence Award (2018). Research interests emphasize sustainable remediation of contaminated environments, leveraging microbial ecology and biotechnology. His teaching spans environmental science and biotechnology programs at RMIT. Andy advises on projects addressing bioremediation, bioenergy, and pathogen survival, with active collaborations with industries like Shell and Melbourne Water.

• Environmental Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Bioremediation
• +3 more

Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi is a globally recognized chemical engineer at The University of Newcastle's School of Engineering. He leads research in clean energy technologies, including the GRANEX heat engine, greenhouse gas abatement, and chemical looping processes. His work addresses critical challenges in energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and reducing fugitive methane emissions from coal mines. With over $48M in research funding and 220+ publications, he directs the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and holds leadership roles in national and international energy initiatives. Education: PhD (University of Sydney), MEng (University of Sydney), BSc (Shiraz University) Administrative Roles: Director of NIER, former Head of School of Engineering, and member of global energy advisory bodies Research interests span energy systems, combustion science, and sustainable technologies. Notable innovations include the VAMCO system for methane abatement and solar thermal GRANEX installations. Awards include the Carrick Teaching Citation and multiple engineering excellence recognitions. Scientific contributions include 14 PhD completions and over 20 funded projects. Current focus areas include hydrogen safety, carbon capture, and thermochemical energy storage. His labs (NIER) collaborate with industry partners like Siemens Energy and the Australian Hydrogen Council.

• Clean Coal Technologies
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Energy Efficiency
• +7 more

Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho is a leading researcher at the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB) and the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland. She leads the Drinking and Recycled Water research group and specializes in Environmental Bioengineering , focusing on microbial processes for water/wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Research areas: Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CEC), Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR), biofilm systems, membrane processes, and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production Key methodologies: Molecular tools linking microbial ecology to process performance Academic output: Over 90 peer-reviewed papers and >40 multinational research projects with industrial partners Educational impact: Coordinator of Postgraduate Programs in Urban Water Engineering and supervisor of >20 PhD students Her recent research explores phage-based biofilm disruption , micropollutant removal via advanced oxidation, and resource recovery from waste streams. Current funding includes projects on biofilm solutions for drinking water and sustainable wastewater reuse. She integrates multidisciplinary approaches across biotechnology, chemical engineering, and environmental science to address global water challenges.

• Environmental Engineering
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Microbial Ecology
• +9 more

Associate Professor Paola Leardini holds dual roles as Director (Research) and Associate Professor at the University of Queensland's School of Architecture, Design and Planning, within the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology. Her work bridges design and performance in built environments, focusing on net-zero targets, urban resilience, and circular economy strategies in construction. She is a key researcher in the Centre for Future Building Structures and advises on Queensland’s social/affordable housing through the Design Excellence Panel. Leardini earned a PhD in building energy efficiency and environmental quality from Politecnico di Milano, supervised by Prof. P. Ole Fanger. Her educational journey includes studies in Milan, Berlin, Leicester, and Copenhagen. Research highlights include eco-retrofitting of historical districts (e.g., Milan’s Quartiere Mazzini), Passive House adaptations for subtropical climates, and timber construction innovations with the ARC Advance Timber Hub. She co-founded Passive House Institute New Zealand (PHINZ) and collaborates globally on projects like water-sensitive cities and flood-resilient urban design. Her recent publications emphasize timber’s role in sustainable construction, circular economy frameworks, and climate-responsive building systems. Advising includes leading an ARC Linkage project on adaptable housing while fostering industry partnerships through projects like Norman Creek Catchment flood resilience studies. She actively contributes to labs/teams advancing timber use and urban resilience, aligning with UQ's mission for future-ready built environments.

• Sustainable Architecture
• Building Energy Efficiency
• Urban Resilience
• +7 more

Professor Stuart James Khan is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He previously served as Director of the Australian Graduate School of Engineering (AGSE). His research focuses on sustainable urban water management, water treatment processes, and chemical contaminant analysis. Khan holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from UNSW (2003) and a BSc (Hons 1 in Organic Chemistry) from the University of Sydney (1995). His research interests include water recycling, desalination, disinfection byproduct formation, and the safe management of chemical contaminants. He has advised over 15 PhD students on topics ranging from advanced treatment technologies to risk assessment frameworks. Khan has published extensively, with over 200 journal articles and 18 book chapters, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to water quality challenges. Key contributions include advancing membrane bioreactor performance, optimizing water recycling systems, and assessing risks associated with emerging contaminants. His work bridges fundamental science and practical engineering solutions, addressing global water security challenges. Current projects explore wastewater-based epidemiology, PFAS remediation, and climate-resilient water infrastructure. Khan collaborates internationally on water reuse strategies and has contributed to policy frameworks for safe water management. His teaching spans courses like Water & Wastewater Treatment and Environmental Risk Analysis, reflecting his commitment to educating future engineers in sustainable practices.

• Water Quality
• Water Recycling
• Chemical Contaminants in Water
• +6 more

Amol Patil is a Research Engineer at the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Australia. He holds an MTech in Textiles from IIT Delhi and a PhD in Textiles from Deakin University. His career spans industrial experience in Quality Assurance, R&D, and Product Development, followed by academic research focused on dyeing and finishing of textiles , environmental impact of textiles , and sustainable chemistry in fibre manufacturing . A key collaborator in industrial projects, he works on fibre-to-fibre recycling and microplastic pollution mitigation in laundry processes. Education: MTech (IIT Delhi), PhD (Deakin University) Affiliation: Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University Collaborations: ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres, HeiQ-Marine Bioproducts (MBCRC) Research Trends The 15 most recent articles highlight his expertise in conductive polymers applied to cotton and polyester textiles, with implications for EMI shielding , gas sensing transducers , and smart materials . Topics include durable antimicrobial finishes , superhydrophobic treatments , and atmospheric aging resistance in textiles. His work bridges chemical engineering and environmental sustainability, particularly in reducing water usage and microplastic release during laundry.

• Textile Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Sustainable Chemistry
• +5 more

Professor Jega Jegatheesan is a faculty member at the School of Engineering at RMIT University in Australia. His research focuses on environmental and chemical engineering, with a particular emphasis on water treatment, resource recovery, and sustainable technologies. He leads projects addressing wastewater management, membrane technologies, and nature-based solutions for urban water systems. His work spans interdisciplinary areas such as desalination, biochar applications, and the recovery of valuable metals from industrial waste. Professor Jegatheesan holds a leadership role in supervising research projects, including studies on lithium-ion battery recycling, brine management, and environmental impact assessments. He collaborates internationally on initiatives like scaling nature-based water treatment technologies in Southeast Asia. His contributions bridge academia and industry, emphasizing sustainable practices and environmental policy.

• Water Treatment
• Wastewater Management
• Environmental Engineering
• +6 more

Professor Hao Wang is a distinguished academic and researcher in materials science and manufacturing at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). He holds the position of Professor (Materials and Manufacturing) within the School of Engineering and serves as the Theme Leader for Functional Materials at the Centre for Future Materials. His career spans over 30 years, with a PhD from the University of Queensland (2001) and a GCertEd from Queensland (2005). Professor Wang’s research focuses on advanced materials, including carbon fiber composites, flame retardants, CO2 conversion technologies, and green concrete (geopolymer). He has authored over 450 papers, earning a Google Scholar H-index of 100 and recognition as a Clarivate Highly Cited Author (2023) and Top 2% World Scientist. He leads the Asian-Australasian Association for Composite Materials and was Chair of the 2018 Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials. His recent publications emphasize sustainable materials, recyclable polymers, and fire-safe composites. Over 150 doctoral students have been supervised under his mentorship, focusing on topics like CO2 electrolysis, geopolymer concrete, and flame-retardant epoxy resins. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing global challenges in materials innovation and environmental sustainability.

• Carbon Fiber Composites
• Plastic Waste Recycling
• Flame Retardants
• +3 more

Prof. Alan Kin-tak Lau is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Product Design at Swinburne University of Technology. He previously served as Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Digital Research), overseeing global research collaborations and digital innovation. His expertise spans advanced materials, manufacturing, and product design, with a focus on aerospace applications, energy storage, and sustainable technologies. Lau holds adjunct roles at Chonbuk National University and is a Fellow of multiple prestigious institutions, including the European Academy of Sciences and the Royal Aeronautical Society. Affiliations: Swinburne University of Technology Roles: Adjunct Professor, Former Pro Vice-Chancellor Research interests include nanomaterials for energy storage (e.g., supercapacitors, hydrogen systems), composite materials for aerospace, and eco-friendly manufacturing. He leads interdisciplinary projects like the Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub and the Research Centre for New Energy Transition. Lau has secured over AUD 100M in grants and supervised numerous PhD projects on topics like graphene composites and additive manufacturing. Notable awards include the VEBLEO Best Scientist Award (2020), UGC Teaching Excellence Award (2013), and the Young Engineer of the Year Award (2004). He chairs international conferences and serves on boards of companies like King’s Flair International. His work bridges academia and industry, with patents and commercial applications in sustainable materials and EV technologies.

• Advanced Materials
• Energy Storage
• Aerospace Engineering
• +7 more

Prof. Akshat Tanksale is a Professor in Chemical & Biological Engineering at Monash University, leading the Catalysis for Green Chemicals group. He specializes in heterogeneous catalysis for CO2 and biomass conversion into sustainable fuels/chemicals. His roles include Deputy Director of the ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, and Carbon Theme Leader of the Woodside Monash Energy Partnership. Education: PhD (2008, University of Queensland) in nanomaterials/chemical reaction engineering, followed by postdoctoral research at UQ on biomass-to-fuels and hydrogen storage. Joined Monash in 2011. Research Focus: Innovating low/negative carbon emission technologies via catalyst design and CCU processes. Key areas include CO2 valorisation, biomass depolymerisation, and nanomaterials for energy storage (e.g., Zn-air batteries). His work aligns with UN SDGs addressing climate action and sustainable energy. Projects: Active in 11 projects (2021–2029), including leadership in carbon recycling via direct air capture and syngas conversion to acetic acid. Collaborates internationally on catalyst development and CO2 conversion. Awards: Multiple recognitions including Dean’s Award for Innovation (2020), Caltex Award (2018), and Australia-India Science & Tech Award (2010). Active in professional service, chairing IChemE Research Working Groups. Teaching: Offers courses CHE2162 (Mass/Energy Balances) and CHE3165 (Separation Processes).

• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU)
• Biomass Conversion
• +3 more

Professor Faisal Hai is the Head of the School of Civil, Mining, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wollongong (UOW). He holds a BSc (1st Class Honours) in Civil Engineering from BUET, Bangladesh, and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Tokyo, Japan. Prior to his current role, he served as Head of Postgraduate Studies and held various leadership positions within UOW's Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS). His research focuses on membrane bioreactor technology for wastewater treatment, microplastics, and water resource management. He leads the Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab (SWIL) and coordinates the Environmental Engineering and Water Resources powerhouse, contributing to UOW's Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) ratings. Prof Hai's work has earned him awards, including the UOW Vice-Chancellor’s Research Supervision Award (2022) and the Japan Society on Water Environment’s Outstanding Lecture Award (2010). He supervises HDR students and collaborates internationally on projects addressing water sustainability and pollution control. His research has been supported by grants from organizations like the Australian Research Council and industry partners such as Sydney Water. Recent research trends include microplastic fragmentation dynamics, nanoplastics in wastewater, and wastewater-based epidemiology for public health surveillance. He has pioneered studies on membrane technology applications and circular economy strategies for plastic waste. Prof Hai also chairs the Membrane Society of Australasia and contributes to editorial roles in journals like npj Clean Water . Key Awards: Vice-Chancellor’s Award (2022), OCTAL (2015), Japan Water Environment Award (2010) Grants: Over 25 collaborative grants addressing water treatment, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability Labs/Teams: Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab (SWIL), Environmental Engineering & Water Resources powerhouse

• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment
• Membrane Bioreactor Technology
• +4 more