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
Professor, Environmental Sciences Program, GEES Department, Faculty of EnvironmentI lead Northern Analytical Laboratory Services (NALS) and the MATTER Lab at the University of Northern British Columbia, where our team works at the intersection of environmental and materials chemistry. As a team leader, I am passionate about mentoring emerging scientists, supporting collaborative research, and advancing sustainable solutions for environmental…
Current Members
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Antonia Tannert Von Baer
Undergraduate Student-Summer internAntonia, a UNBC undergraduate student majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, joined the MATTER team as a summer intern, working closely with Dr. Banchamlak on ongoing biopolymer research projects. During her placement, she contributed to laboratory work focused on sustainable biopolymer-based materials, gaining hands-on experience in material preparation, testing, and… -
Liam Sinclair
Undergraduate Student-Summer intern and Co-OpLiam, a UNBC undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry, joined the MATTER team as a summer intern/co-op student, working closely with Dr. Banchamlak on ongoing biopolymer research projects. During his placement, he contributed to laboratory work focused on sustainable biopolymer-based materials, gaining hands-on research experience in material preparation, testing, and data… -
Amn Hassan
Graduate StudentAmn is a graduate student with the MATTER team, working on the development of active and sustainable food packaging materials. Her research focuses on modifying kraft paper with advanced PLA-based coatings and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to improve barrier performance, structural integrity, and functional properties. Through this work, she aims to… -
Rohan Rajagopal
Graduate StudentHands-on involvement in field studies of biochar application in brownfield sites advancing the use of wastewater-treatment biomass–derived biochar for brownfield reclamation (legacy oil-contaminated soils), gaining real-world experience in environmental science and remediation. Being part of a project that directly addresses environmental sustainability and contributes to the development of innovative waste… -
Maryam Ghaffarzadeh
Graduate Student (PhD)Maryam joined the MATTER team in September 2025 as a PhD candidate working on a Mitacs-funded collaboration with Canfor Pulp Ltd. Her research focuses on developing sustainable and value-added solutions for British Columbia’s pulp and paper sector by investigating alternative fibre sources, recycling strategies, and innovative product development pathways. Through… -
Shohreh Mohammadi
Graduate Student (PhD)Shohreh is a PhD Candidate 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 Student (PhD)Ahmad Jalil is a PhD candidate in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies program at the University of Northern British Columbia and a long-standing member of the MATTER research team. With an academic background in health sciences and a strong interdisciplinary interest in environmental health, Ahmad’s doctoral research focuses on… -
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 Student (PhD)Tina holds a BSc and MSc in Physics and began her PhD in Environmental Science at UNBC in September 2025. She is currently a PhD Candidate and a member of the MATTER biopolymers research team. Her research focuses on developing sustainable lignin-based biopolymers using 3D printing and advanced processing techniques,… -
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. -
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… -
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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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.