Principal Investigator

  • Hossein Kazemian

    Associate Professor, Environmental Sciences Program, GEES Department, Faculty of Environment

    Originally from Iran, I now lead the Northern Analytical Laboratory Services at the University of Northern British Columbia, focusing on environmental and material chemistry. I am dedicated to mentoring scientists and advancing sustainable environmental solutions.

Current Members

  • Shohreh Mohammadi

    Graduate student
    Shohreh is a PhD student working on the project titled “Development and Validation of an Analytical Method for Airborne Chromium Speciation and Field Comparison Study.” Her research focuses on developing and validating a robust analytical method to accurately distinguish and quantify trivalent (Cr(III)) and hexavalent (Cr(VI)) chromium species in airborne…
  • Banchamlak Bemerw Kassaun

    NSERC industrial Postdoc
    Banchi specializes in polymer chemistry and material science, focusing on developing an eco-friendly Styrofoam substitute for sustainable food packaging. She is dedicated to enhancing eco-friendly packaging solutions.
  • Ahmad Jalil

    Graduate Student
    PhD student at UNBC with an undergrad in health science, specializing in air quality research focused on characterization. Member of the Matter team since 2020, dedicated to advancing understanding of air quality impacts.
  • Hossein Roohollahi

    Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorate
    Hossein Roohollahi, Ph.D., specializes in chemical engineering with a focus on plant-based biopolymers for various applications. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2023, he is dedicated to advancing the development of sustainable materials.
  • Tina Fathalipour Ardabili

    Graduate Student
    Tina holds a BSc and MSc in Physics and is currently pursuing her second MSc in Environmental Science at UNBC. As a member of the biopolymers research team, her thesis project focuses on “FDM 3D Printing of Lignin/PBAT Biofilament: Optimization, Characterization, and Sustainable Valorization of Local Waste Streams.” Tina’s work…
  • Muhammad Tahir

    Graduate Student
    Muhammad, a Masters student in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES) at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), joined the Matter team in 2024. With a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, his research focuses on testing new biodegradable and compostable biopolymers. His work aims to address environmental challenges…
  • Prof. Aderonke O. Oyeyiola

    Research Associate / Post Doc

    Aderonke O. Oyeyiola, Ph.D., a visiting researcher at UNBC (2023-2024), focuses on analytical and environmental chemistry. Her project involves the development, characterization, and optimization of low-cost, environmentally friendly adsorbents for nutrient removal and recovery in wastewater.

  • Prof. Siavash Nouroozi

    Visiting International Researcher

    Dr. Siavash Nouroozi is a Visiting International Researcher at the MATTER Lab. His research focuses on automated flow analysis, optical sensors, and the development of bio and nanosensors, with a strong emphasis on green analytical chemistry. His work is dedicated to advancing sustainable methodologies in analytical science.

  • S. Fatemeh Nouroozi

    Graduate Student

    S. Fatemeh Nouroozi, a Ph.D. candidate in inorganic chemistry, specializes in nanotechnology and solid catalysts. Her research focuses on advancing applications in inorganic chemistry, with a particular emphasis on nanoscale materials and catalytic systems.

  • Habibollah Bahman

    Graduate Student

    Habibollah Bahman, a Master’s student and former international visiting Ph.D. candidate at UNBC (2022-2023), focuses on Polymer Engineering-Color Science and Technology. His research involves using Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) to remove dyes like Malachite Green, Methylene Blue, and Rhodamine B from solutions.

  • Leila Doudey

    Graduate Student

    Leila Doudey, a Master’s student and former international visiting Ph.D. candidate at UNBC (2022-2023), focuses on the valorization of Tunisian dam sediments into zeolitic materials and their environmental applications, exploring sustainable solutions in chemistry.

  • Ariadna López

    Graduate Student

    Ariadna López, a Mitacs Globalink Intern in 2021 and MSc student at UNBC (2023-2025), collaborates on Climate Catalytic research and carbon remediation technologies, enhancing environmental sustainability through innovative solutions.

Alumni Members

  • Yinchun Guo

    Graduate Student
    Yinchun Guo, an MSc student in analytical chemistry, specializes in developing MOF-based adsorbents for SVOC sampling and measurement. As part of the Matter team at UNBC from 2023 to 2025, she is focused on advancing chemical analysis techniques.
  • Dr Rabelani Mudzielwana

    Visiting International Researcher
    Dr. Rabelani Mudzielwana is a visiting scholar. He is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda (South Africa). He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences in 2018 and has since built a vibrant research portfolio focused on…
  • Sara Haghjoo

    International Visiting PhD Student

    Sara Haghjoo, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC (2021-2022), focused on material chemistry, specifically developing CFA-derived zeolite for the removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from contaminated media, enhancing environmental remediation techniques.

  • Sarah Wood

    Undergraduate Research Student

    Sarah Wood, an undergraduate research student at UNBC (2023-2024), focuses on developing Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for drug delivery, aiming to enhance the efficiency and targeted delivery of pharmaceuticals.

  • Sebastian Tannert

    Summer Student
    Completing bachelor of science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UNBC, assisting in the NALS laboratory with ICP and EA processes. Also helping Leyla Doudey on her WorkSafe BC project, to determine the feasibility of using DRS to analyze both inhalable and respirable particulate fractions from welding shop fumes.
  • Shaghayegh Naghdi

    International Visiting PhD. Student

    Shaghayegh Naghdi, an international visiting Ph.D. student in 2021, focused on molecular material chemistry, specifically on selective ligand removal to enhance the accessibility of active sites in hierarchical Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), contributing to advancements in materials science.

  • Simisola Idim

    Graduate Student

    Simisola Idim, an MSc student at UNBC from 2019 to 2022, focused on modifying the composting process of chicken manure using natural and Mg-modified zeolite to generate a high-nutrient product, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.

  • Sophie Ngo

    Canada Summer Job Intern

    Sophie Ngo, a Canada Summer Job intern in 2022, focused on the development and characterization of novel biodegradable polymers for food packaging purposes, contributing to sustainable packaging solutions.

  • Sunil Walia

    Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorate

    Sunil Walia, Ph.D., specializes in material chemistry with a focus on developing novel adsorbents from foam glass for nutrient recovery from wastewater. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2022, he is committed to innovating sustainable water treatment solutions.

  • Waranya Wataniyakun

    International Visiting Ph.D. Student

    Waranya (Ping) Wataniyakun, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC during Summer 2023, is a Ph.D. candidate in polymer chemistry, microbiology, and biochemistry at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. Her diverse academic background spans chemical and biomolecular engineering to food biotechnology.

  • Madeline Clarke

    Canada Summer Job Intern

    Madeline Clarke, a Canada Summer Job intern in 2022 and 2023, worked on two key projects: designing and constructing a rotating air sampler for workplace air quality research in 2022, and developing and characterizing novel biodegradable polymers in 2023.

  • Mandeep Kaur

    Graduate Student

    Mandeep Kaur, an MSc student at UNBC from 2019 to 2022, focused on developing Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for CO2 capturing and conversion, contributing to climate change mitigation and sustainable environmental practices.

  • Maria De La Rosa

    Mitacs Globalink Intern

    Maria De La Rosa, a bachelor’s chemistry student in Colombia, is a Mitacs Globalink Intern in 2024. She collaborates on a project focusing on air pollution monitoring and control for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) through materials such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs).

  • Melissa Becerril Medina

    Mitacs Globalink Intern

    Melissa Becerril Medina, a Mitacs Globalink Intern in Summer 2019, worked on air pollution monitoring and control for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), contributing to advancements in environmental health and safety.

  • Mohammad Hossein Aboonasr Shiraz

    International Visiting PhD. Student

    Mohammad Hossein Aboonasr Shiraz, a visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC during Summer 2019, focused on the facile preparation of porous carbon from a metal-organic framework (MOF) to confine selenium. His project also explored protecting the Se/CZIF composite with an alucone coating through molecular layer deposition (MLD).

  • Mohammad Kavand

    Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorate

    Mohammad Kavand, Ph.D., specializes in chemical engineering with a focus on engineered clay as a novel phosphorus sorbent. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2022, he is dedicated to advancing environmental remediation technologies.

  • Mostafa Marzi

    International Visiting PhD Student

    Mostafa Marzi, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC from 2019 to 2021, focused on nutrient management in soil and water using modified clay and zeolites, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation.

  • Mya Schouwenburg

    Graduate Student

    Mya Schouwenburg is a current MSc NRES student at UNBC, specializing in Chromium Speciation in Workplace Air. Her research focuses on the environmental and health impacts of chromium exposure in industrial settings.

  • Nasim Ghavidel

    Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorate

    Nasim Ghavidel, Ph.D., specializes in chemistry and material science with a focus on developing an eco-friendly Styrofoam substitute for sustainable food packaging. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2021, she is dedicated to enhancing eco-friendly packaging solutions.

  • Navjot Kaur

    Graduate Student

    Navjot Kaur, an MSc student at UNBC from 2019 to 2022, focused on utilizing Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for CO2 capturing and conversion, aiming to advance technologies in carbon management and environmental sustainability.