Nawshad Akther

Dr. Nawshad Akther is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she conducts cutting-edge research in membrane technology and water treatment. She is actively involved in the Membrane Society of Australasia (MSA), serving on its Board of Directors since October 2021, and has organized several major conferences including the upcoming International Membrane Science and Technology Conference (IMSTEC) 2025.

Dr. Akther earned her PhD in Environmental Engineering from UTS between March 2017 and May 2021. Prior to that, she completed her MSc in Chemical Engineering from Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and her BSc in Chemical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Akther's research focuses on the development of advanced materials and membranes for water treatment applications. Her work spans desalination, resource recovery, and atmospheric water harvesting technologies. She specializes in nanocomposite membranes modified with graphene oxide and derivatives for forward osmosis applications, with particular expertise in membrane fabrication, nanofiltration, and the synthesis of nanomaterials. Her research aims to address global water scarcity challenges through innovative membrane technologies that improve efficiency and sustainability.

Analysis of Dr. Akther's publication record reveals a strong focus on membrane technology development, particularly for water treatment and resource recovery applications. Her work demonstrates expertise in graphene oxide modification, forward osmosis, and nanofiltration technologies. Recent publications highlight her growing interest in atmospheric water harvesting and selective resource extraction from seawater, reflecting the evolving challenges in sustainable water management.

Dr. Akther has received numerous prestigious awards for her research contributions, including:

• Membrane Society of Australasia (MSA) Best Student Award (2021)
• MSA Best Short Talk Award (2020)
• UTS 3MT (2020)
• UTS Research Excellence Commendation Award (2019)
• UTS Collaboration Experience Award (2019)

Dr. Akther serves as a supervisor for research students and has taught Fluid Mechanics at UTS since February 2022. She is currently involved in funded research projects, most notably 'Selective Rubidium Extraction from NEOM Seawater Desalination Plant' (2024-2026), which focuses on extracting valuable resources from seawater desalination brine.

Dr. Akther is an active member of the Membrane Society of Australasia and collaborates with researchers across Australia and internationally on membrane technology development. Her work contributes to advancing sustainable water treatment solutions and resource recovery technologies for addressing global water challenges.