Author: kazemian

Posted July 2025 | Sabbatical Update from Dr. Hossein Kazemian

As part of his 2025 sabbatical journey, Dr. Hossein Kazemian, PI of the MATTER research group at UNBC, had the privilege of visiting the Institute of Separation Science & Technology (ISST) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in Germany. Invited by long-time colleague and world-renowned adsorption scientist Prof. Matthias Thommes, Dr. Kazemian delivered a seminar titled “Environmental Applications of Porous Materials: From Earth-Born Zeolites to Tailor-Made MOFs.” The visit included a tour of ISST’s cutting-edge facilities for material synthesis, advanced characterization, and adsorption testing—technological resources that represent some of the best in Europe.

Beyond the scientific program, this visit brought together a trio of international thought leaders in porous materials: Prof. Thommes, Prof. Martin Hartmann (former IZA President and Klaus Unger Award recipient), and Prof. Wilhelm Schwieger (2019 IZA Award winner). These three legends in zeolite science shared their insights and enthusiasm over lunch and dinner, sparking a series of valuable discussions about adsorption science, metrology, and the role of hybrid materials in environmental monitoring. For the MATTER group, this interaction was not just a learning opportunity but also a foundation for potential future collaborations that may bridge Canadian and European research initiatives.

Earlier in the same leg of the trip, Dr. Kazemian also visited Fraunhofer UMSICHT, a German institute known for bridging laboratory-scale research with industrial application. While there, he had the chance to visit the lab where Ariadna López Ortega, one of MATTER Lab’s talented graduate students, is currently completing a research internship. The visit reinforced the value of international research mobility and the importance of providing students with hands-on global experiences that connect academic inquiry with real-world applications.

As MATTER Lab continues to expand its expertise in zeolites, MOFs, and porous composites for environmental applications, this type of international engagement underscores our commitment to advancing science through global collaboration and training the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers.

MATTER is delighted to host Dr. Rabelani Mudzielwana as a visiting scholar. Dr. Mudzielwana 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 environmental analytical chemistry, wastewater monitoring, emerging pharmaceutical contaminants, and micro- and nanoplastic pollution. To date, he has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and supervised numerous honours and master’s dissertations. During his stay at MATTER, Dr. Mudzielwana will collaborate on developing advanced sorbent materials . His full list of publications is available on his Google Scholar profile.

The MATTER team is thrilled to celebrate our Principal Investigator, Dr. Hossein Kazemian, who has been honoured with UNBC’s 2025 University Excellence in Research Award.

This university-wide distinction recognizes Dr. Kazemian’s trail-blazing work on porous materials for environmental monitoring and remediation, as well as his steadfast commitment to training and mentorship. Through innovative projects spanning metal–organic frameworks, biopolymers, and natural zeolites, he has advanced knowledge while empowering countless undergraduate and graduate researchers across disciplines.

As Director of Northern Analytical Lab Services (NALS), Dr. Kazemian also champions a collaborative research culture that provides students and partners with access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and real-world problem-solving opportunities.

We are proud to see his leadership and scientific impact recognized at the highest level. Congratulations, Hossein—and thank you to every member of MATTER and NALS whose hard work and curiosity make achievements like this possible.

#ThisIsUNBC #MATTERLab #ResearchExcellence

MATTER & NALS Family BBQ 2025
June 28, 2025 – Prince George, BC

After months of experiments, tight deadlines, and virtual meetings across time zones, nothing recharges the team like sunshine, great food, and laughter. On June 28, the MATTER Lab and Northern Analytical Lab Services (NALS) came together for our much-anticipated annual family BBQ at Forests for the World Park. This event, now a cherished tradition, brought together over 40 participants, including postdocs, students, staff, visiting scholars, and their families, for a day of relaxation and reconnection. With burgers and hotdogs on the grill and potluck dishes from around the world (special thanks to the kimchi fried rice, Persian saffron cake, and Venezuelan arepas!), the celebration reflected the diversity and warmth of our community.

Beyond the food and fun, this gathering served as a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. We’re not just a research team; we’re a community of people who support one another inside and outside the lab. Our members come from over ten countries, each bringing a unique voice and perspective to our work. Including families in this event acknowledges the vital role they play behind the scenes, cheering us on, celebrating our milestones, and holding space during late nights and long experiments.

Although our PI is on sabbatical this year, returning to host this BBQ reaffirmed one important truth: science is a team sport, and our greatest strength lies in our shared commitment to collaboration and care. Huge thanks to everyone who made the day possible, from those who flipped burgers to those who chased runaway frisbees and helped with clean-up. You make MATTER and NALS more than labs, you make them families. Here’s to another year of curiosity, connection, and community (with just a little bit of BBQ smoke in the air). 🔬🔥

#TeamScience #LabLife #DiversityInSTEM #CommunityBuilding #MATTERLab #NALS #UNBCResearch

Advancing clean‐tech packaging through research–industry partnership

MATTER is proud to announce the official launch of the Seawise Biopolymer Processing Lab—UNBC’s first facility dedicated to the development and scale-up of plant-based polymers for sustainable thermal packaging.

Why this lab matters

• State-of-the-art capability: A generous equipment gift from Brown’s Bay Packing Company Ltd. (Seawise Innovative Packaging)—including a twin-screw extruder—has enabled in-house compounding, extrusion and prototyping of biodegradable and recyclable foams that can replace conventional EPS.
• From prototype to product: Building on an initial proof-of-concept created at MATTER, the new lab will accelerate pilot production and performance testing, turning Thermoloc—our hybrid cold-chain shipper—into a commercially viable option for seafood, agriculture and pharmaceutical logistics.
• Collaborative impact: The project is powered by a $300 000 Innovate BC Ignite Award and more than $1.2 million in combined cash and in-kind support from Seawise, NSERC, Mitacs and the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund—showcasing the strength of university–industry partnerships in driving low-carbon innovation.

A milestone visit

To mark the launch, B.C. Minister of State for Trade Rick Glumac toured the facility, meeting with PI Dr. Hossein Kazemian and the Seawise team to see first-hand how the new equipment and MATTER’s porous-materials expertise are converging to create next-generation packaging solutions.

In the media

CBC News recently featured the lab’s journey and future ambitions in an interview with Seawise CEO Jesse Knight and NALS Director Dr. Kazemian. Watch the segment and read the full story →

Looking ahead

With scale-up trials underway, our goal is to deliver fully compostable, high-performance packaging that supports circular-economy jobs in B.C. and beyond. We are grateful for the vision and commitment of:

• Seawise Innovative Packaging – lead industrial partner & equipment donor
• Innovate BC – Ignite Award funding
• NSERC & Mitacs – strategic research and talent support
• BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund – pilot-scale infrastructure

Thank you to every student, researcher and partner who is turning fundamental materials science into tangible climate-action technology. Stay tuned for progress updates—and reach out to hossein.kazemian@unbc.ca for collaboration opportunities.

#ThisIsUNBC #MATTERLab #CleanTech #Biopolymers

🚨 We’re Hiring! Fully Funded MSc Position Available 🚨

Our project on Development and Validation of an Analytical Method for Airborne Chromium Speciation and Field Comparison Study has recently been funded by WorkSafeBC, and we’re looking for a motivated MSc student with a strong chemistry background to join our team at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)!

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on an impactful research project aimed at advancing analytical methods in environmental health and safety, specifically focusing on chromium speciation.

If you’re a UNBC student—or know one—who’s searching for a fully funded MSc position, we’d love to hear from you!

We strongly encourage #UNBC senior #undergarduate students who are set to graduet December 2024, or a current graduate student searching for a fully funded MSc position to reach out to us ASAP.

Please send your CV and a statement of interest to jossein.kazemian@unbc.ca as soon as possible.

Don’t miss out on this chance to contribute to innovative research and make a real difference in environmental science!

UNBC Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences

UNBC Faculty of Environment

Northern Analytical Lab Services at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)

#UNBC #ResearchOpportunity #GraduateStudies #ChromiumSpeciation #EnvironmentalScience #AnalyticalChemistry #MScPosition #Chemistry

About the job

Job Posting: Postdoctoral Research Associate Position – Biopolymer Formulation and Sustainable Packaging

Location: University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in Prince George, with collaborative work at Vancouver Island with industry partners

Position Type: Full-Time, 1.5-Year Contract (extendable based on project progression and performance)

Start Date: ASAP – Applications accepted until the position is filled

Position Overview: The UNBC Materials Technology and Environmental Research (MATTER) team, in collaboration with SeaWise Packaging , is seeking a talented Postdoctoral Research Associate with expertise in biopolymer formulation for sustainable packaging applications. This role is essential to our project on developing a compostable alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS) for food packaging, focusing on advancing Canada’s circular economy and environmental sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Biopolymer Formulation and Extrusion: Develop, test, and optimize biopolymer blends to create expandable, compostable beads suitable for cold-chain seafood packaging. Expertise in extrusion processing and formulation design is essential.
• Industry Collaboration: Engage in hands-on work at both UNBC’s biopolymer lab and at our partner’s site on Vancouver Island. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for candidates to gain industrial experience and the potential to join the industry team based on project success.
• Technical Development: Oversee critical aspects of extrusion processing, thermal and mechanical property optimization, and biodegradability/compostability testing in alignment with ASTM standards.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (required at the time of application).
• Strong experience in biopolymer formulation and familiarity with extrusion technology.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada (Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with a valid Canadian work permit).
• Industrial experience or previous collaboration with industry partners is an asset.

Compensation: This position offers a highly competitive salary based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. The exact compensation will be discussed during the interview process.

Why Join Us?

• Industry Experience: Gain hands-on experience both in an academic lab and in an industry setting, with exposure to both research and commercialization phases.
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Strong potential for a future role with our industry partner, contingent upon project success and candidate performance.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Access to cutting-edge research infrastructure at UNBC and collaboration with innovative industry partners.

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV, a brief cover letter highlighting their relevant experience, and contact information for at least two professional references to : hossein.kazemian@unbc.ca. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Note: Candidates MUST hold a PhD and be eligible to work in Canada. This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to bridge academic research with industrial applications, driving real-world impact in the field of sustainable biopolymers.

Despite the rain on Thursday, July 25, 2024, our graduate students Ada, Habib, and Fatemeh together with Dr. Kazemian had a productive day at Tabor Lake, collecting freshly harvested aquatic weeds for our ongoing research project. This work is part of a Mitacs-funded initiative aimed at transforming the challenge of aquatic weed overgrowth into an opportunity for creating sustainable, organic compost.
Our day was filled with hands-on learning, from observing the impressive operations of the weed harvester to hearing fascinating historical insights about the former PG sawmill once located beside the lake.
We’re eager to kickstart the composting process back in the lab and look forward to sharing the outcomes of our experiments. A big thank you to Mitacs for funding this important environmental project and to Northern Analytical Lab Services at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) for providing essential analytical testing services to our team.
Our journey at Tabor Lake began in May 2024 when we first sampled legacy piles of harvested weeds. These initial samples were crucial in setting the baseline for our project, and we’ve since analyzed them at NALS, gaining valuable insights into their composition and potential.
Stay tuned as we continue to explore sustainable solutions to enhance our ecosystems!

On Friday, July 26, we enjoyed hearing from our postdoc Dr. Hossein Roohollahi at our biweekly group meeting at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).
Hossein shared the fantastic progress he and our biopolymer team have made over the past year in developing eco-friendly alternatives to EPS for food packaging.
🔬 The highlight was his work on a biopolymer, which is sustainable and showcases remarkable properties. He put us to the test with a fun challenge to stretch a strand of the biopolymer to its snapping point—and guess what? We couldn’t do it! The strength and flexibility of this material are truly impressive.

🍦 As if the insightful presentation wasn’t enough, Dr. Roohollahi also treated us to ice cream, making it a perfect meeting!
We would like to extend a special thanks to our industrial partners, Brown’s Bay Packaging and Seawise Innovative Packaging, and our funding partners, Mitacs, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and Innovate BC, for their continued support in making these innovative developments possible.
Stay tuned as we continue to push the boundaries of environmental science and technology. Thank you, Hossein, for your innovative work and for bringing a little extra sweetness to our day!

Very happy to share that our chapter titled “Metal-Organic Frameworks in Solid-Phase Microextraction” is now published in the book “Metal-Organic Frameworks in Analytical Sample Preparation and Sensing,” edited by colleagues Drs Verónica Pino Estevez, Jorge Pasán , and María José Trujillo-Rodríguez from Universidad de La Laguna
This comprehensive work, published by Elsevier, explores the advanced applications of hashtag#MOFs in analytical chemistry, offering a valuable resource for professionals and researchers.
Our chapter, based on extensive research and collaboration between MATTER_Lab@UNBC at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and a research team at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
al-farabi kaznu dives into the intricate use of MOFs in solid-phase microextraction techniques, highlighting their potential in enhancing analytical performance.
Special thanks to my co-authors Drs. Nassiba Baimatova , Anara Omarova, and Aset Muratuly for their incredible dedication and expertise.
It has been an enriching experience collaborating with such a talented team and contributing to the broader scientific community’s understanding of MOFs.
I’m grateful for the support from the University of Northern British Columbia and all collaborators involved.
For those interested in the cutting-edge developments of MOFs and their applications, I highly recommend exploring this detailed and insightful book.
[https://lnkd.in/gi6VjQn3]

MATTER_Lab@UNBC
Northern Analytical Lab Services at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
UNBC Faculty of Environment
UNBC Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences
hashtag#MOFs hashtag#AnalyticalChemistry hashtag#Publication hashtag#Research hashtag#Science hashtag#Elsevier

Metal-organic frameworks in solid-phase microextraction

sciencedirect.com