
Members
At MATTER, our team is the essence of our identity! Each current member, alumni, and honorary member has uniquely contributed to our vision and mission. Explore this remarkable group and all they have accomplished.
Principal Investigator
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Hossein Kazemian
Associate Professor, Environmental Sciences Program, GEES Department, Faculty of EnvironmentOriginally 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
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Shohreh Mohammadi
Graduate studentShohreh 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 PostdocBanchi 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 StudentPhD 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-doctorateHossein 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 StudentTina 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 StudentMuhammad, 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 DocAderonke 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.
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Prof. Siavash Nouroozi
Visiting International ResearcherDr. 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.
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S. Fatemeh Nouroozi
Graduate StudentS. 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.
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Habibollah Bahman
Graduate StudentHabibollah 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.
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Leila Doudey
Graduate StudentLeila 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.
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Ariadna López
Graduate StudentAriadna 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
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Yinchun Guo
Graduate StudentYinchun 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 ResearcherDr. 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 StudentSara 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.
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Sarah Wood
Undergraduate Research StudentSarah 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.
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Sebastian Tannert
Summer StudentCompleting 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. StudentShaghayegh 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.
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Simisola Idim
Graduate StudentSimisola 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.
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Sophie Ngo
Canada Summer Job InternSophie 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.
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Sunil Walia
Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorateSunil 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.
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Waranya Wataniyakun
International Visiting Ph.D. StudentWaranya (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.
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Madeline Clarke
Canada Summer Job InternMadeline 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.
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Mandeep Kaur
Graduate StudentMandeep 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.
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Maria De La Rosa
Mitacs Globalink InternMaria 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).
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Melissa Becerril Medina
Mitacs Globalink InternMelissa 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.
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Mohammad Hossein Aboonasr Shiraz
International Visiting PhD. StudentMohammad 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).
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Mohammad Kavand
Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorateMohammad 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.
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Mostafa Marzi
International Visiting PhD StudentMostafa 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.
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Mya Schouwenburg
Graduate StudentMya 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.
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Nasim Ghavidel
Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorateNasim 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.
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Navjot Kaur
Graduate StudentNavjot 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.