
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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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… -

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. -

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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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,… -

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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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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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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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… -

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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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. -

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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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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Sakshi Satish
Summer StudentSakshi Satish, an undergraduate intern in 2019, focused her honor thesis on the synthesis of chitosan-coated MIL-100(Fe) for drug delivery, exploring innovative applications in biomedical engineering.
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Saki Kondo
Graduate StudentSaki Kondo, an MSc student at UNBC from 2017 to 2020, focused on developing modified zeolite for phosphate removal from eutrophic lake water, contributing to environmental conservation and water quality improvement.
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Sahar Ebadzadsahraei
Graduate StudentSahar Ebadzadsahraei, an MSc student at UNBC from 2017 to 2020, focused on environmental PM2.5 air sampling and analyzing their chemical composition, contributing to air quality research and public health studies.
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Saeed Bagherifam,
Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorateSaeed Bagherifam, Ph.D., specializes in environmental chemistry with a focus on arsenic removal from contaminated soil and its potential reuse. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2023, he is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions for soil decontamination.
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Fatemeh Nouroozi
Graduate StudentFatemeh Nouroozi is an NRESi Ph.D. candidate (environmental science), and her project focuses on MOF -

Ryan Koyanagi
Eco-Canada Summer InternRyan Koyanagi, an Eco-Canada Summer Job intern in 2023, focused on method development for wastewater analysis, aiming to improve techniques for environmental monitoring and safety.
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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. -

Prof. Ali Bumajdad
International Visiting ResearcherAli Bumajdad, an international visiting researcher at UNBC in Summer 2017, is a Professor of Physical Chemistry at Kuwait University. His expertise contributes significantly to the field through ongoing research and scholarly activities.
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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. -

Oshini Kottagodage
Summer StudentOshini Kottagodage, an undergraduate researcher at UNBC (2023-2024), focuses on developing MOFs for the removal of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from wastewater, contributing to advancements in water treatment technologies.
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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.
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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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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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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… -

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Lon Kerr
Graduate StudentLon Kerr, an MSc student at UNBC from 2019 to 2022, focused on developing zeolite-based antibacterial compounds for water purification, enhancing methods for ensuring cleaner and safer water supplies.
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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. -

Hossein Zeinalzadeh
Graduate StudentHossein Zeinalzadeh, an MSc student at UNBC from 2021 to 2023, focuses on CO2 capturing and conversion using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), contributing to advancements in sustainable environmental technologies.
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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. -

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… -

Hoorieh Jahanbani
Research Associate and Post-doctoral fellowHoorieh Jahanbani, Ph.D., specializes in organic chemistry with a focus on bio-MOF synthesis and applications. As a research associate and post-doctoral fellow at UNBC since 2021, she is dedicated to advancing the field of organic materials for diverse applications.
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Helena Mirzabeigi
Graduate StudentHelena Mirzabeigi, an MSc student at UNBC (2022-2024), specializes in chemical engineering. Her research focuses on the development and characterization of novel biodegradable polymers for food packaging, aiming to advance sustainable packaging solutions.
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Harsh R Darji
Mitacs Globalink InternHarsh R Darji, a Mitacs Globalink Intern in Summer 2022, worked on using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for CO2 capturing and conversion, contributing to climate change mitigation through innovative carbon capture technologies.
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Hanieh Askari
International Visiting PhD studentHanieh Askari, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC (2023-2024), specializes in analytical chemistry. Her research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of novel nano-structured materials and microspheres, and the preparation of switchable hydrophilicity solvents for the preconcentration and removal of persistent organic po…
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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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Gangbin Yan
Mitacs Globalink InternGangbin Yan, a Mitacs Globalink intern during the summer of 2018, engaged in research that contributed to advancements in his field of study, furthering academic and practical knowledge through international collaboration.
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Farzana Nargis
Graduate StudentFarzana Nargis, an MSc student at UNBC from 2019 to 2022, focused on developing clay-based adsorbents for phosphate removal from eutrophic lake water, contributing to the restoration and maintenance of aquatic ecosystems.
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Farideh Barghak
Graduate StudentFarideh Barghak, a Master’s student and former international visiting Ph.D. candidate at UNBC (2022-2023), specializes in analytical chemistry. Her research involves synthesizing and characterizing modified yolk-shell and core-shell magnetic nanoparticles, with applications in dye and pesticide removal.
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Emily Brown
Summer internEmily Brown first joined us as a summer intern in 2021, where she focused on the synthesis and utilization of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for the removal of glyphosate from water, contributing to the development of effective water purification technologies. She returned for the summer of 2022 to work on an… -

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… -

Dorna Sobhani
Graduate StudentDorna Sobhani, an MSc student at UNBC from 2020 to 2023, specializes in environmental science and chemical engineering. Her research focuses on developing a dual-functional adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of cationic and anionic nutrients from contaminated water bodies, contributing to water purification and environmental health.
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Dominic Reiffarth
Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorateDominic Reiffarth, Ph.D., specializes in natural resources and environmental studies with a focus on solid waste management best practices. As part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2023, he is dedicated to developing cost-effective, sustainable solid waste solutions for rural regions of BC.
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Diana Carrillo Vazquez
Mitacs Globalink InternDiana Carrillo Vazquez, a chemical engineering undergraduate and Mitacs Intern, focuses on a project involving air pollution monitoring and control of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).
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Charles Bradshaw
Graduate StudentCharles Bradshaw, an MSc student at UNBC from 2020 to 2023, focuses on nutrient removal and management, aiming to enhance environmental sustainability and water quality through innovative research.
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Behrad Mahmoudi Saati
International Visiting Ph.D StudentBehrad Mahmoudi Saati, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC (2022-2023), is a candidate in Coatings Science and Technology. His research focuses on the antimicrobial applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks and their composites, aiming to enhance protective coating technologies.
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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. -

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.
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Ann Duong
Graduate StudentAnn Duong is a former PhD student with the Matter team at UNBC, focusing on industrial hygiene testing. Her research involved assessing the equivalency of the Disposable Respirable Sampler to the IOM for inhalable and respirable dust and metals sampling.
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Anara Omarova
International Visiting PhD StudentAnara Omarova, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC (2019-2020), focused on the development of MOF-based SPME fibers for measuring volatile organic compounds in air, enhancing techniques for environmental monitoring and analysis.
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Alfonso Diego Garza Isla
Mitacs Globalink InternAlfonso Diego Garza Isla, a Mitacs Globalink Intern in Summer 2019, focused on air pollution monitoring and control for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), aiming to enhance environmental air quality management.
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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… -

Adam Burkitt
Eco Canada InternAdam Burkitt, an Eco Canada Intern in Summer 2022, focused on nitrogen detection in water and soil samples, validating methods that enhance environmental monitoring and assessment.
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Aatif Ali Shah
Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorateAatif Ali Shah, Ph.D., specializes in advanced materials and chemical engineering with a focus on hydrogen production through water electrolysis combined with wastewater treatment. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2022, he is dedicated to developing innovative energy solutions.
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Aanchal Alagh
Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorateAanchal Alagh, Ph.D., specializes in nanotechnology with a focus on CO2 reduction and climate change mitigation. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2024, she is dedicated to developing nanotechnological solutions that address environmental challenges.
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,… -

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. -

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. -

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. -

Fatemeh Nouroozi
Graduate StudentFatemeh Nouroozi is an NRESi Ph.D. candidate (environmental science), and her project focuses on MOF -

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… -

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. -

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.
-

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.
-

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.
-

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).
-

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.
-

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… -

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.
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Oshini Kottagodage
Summer StudentOshini Kottagodage, an undergraduate researcher at UNBC (2023-2024), focuses on developing MOFs for the removal of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from wastewater, contributing to advancements in water treatment technologies.
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Prof. Ali Bumajdad
International Visiting ResearcherAli Bumajdad, an international visiting researcher at UNBC in Summer 2017, is a Professor of Physical Chemistry at Kuwait University. His expertise contributes significantly to the field through ongoing research and scholarly activities.
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Ryan Koyanagi
Eco-Canada Summer InternRyan Koyanagi, an Eco-Canada Summer Job intern in 2023, focused on method development for wastewater analysis, aiming to improve techniques for environmental monitoring and safety.
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Saeed Bagherifam,
Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorateSaeed Bagherifam, Ph.D., specializes in environmental chemistry with a focus on arsenic removal from contaminated soil and its potential reuse. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2023, he is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions for soil decontamination.
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Sahar Ebadzadsahraei
Graduate StudentSahar Ebadzadsahraei, an MSc student at UNBC from 2017 to 2020, focused on environmental PM2.5 air sampling and analyzing their chemical composition, contributing to air quality research and public health studies.
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Saki Kondo
Graduate StudentSaki Kondo, an MSc student at UNBC from 2017 to 2020, focused on developing modified zeolite for phosphate removal from eutrophic lake water, contributing to environmental conservation and water quality improvement.
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Sakshi Satish
Summer StudentSakshi Satish, an undergraduate intern in 2019, focused her honor thesis on the synthesis of chitosan-coated MIL-100(Fe) for drug delivery, exploring innovative applications in biomedical engineering.
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Farideh Barghak
Graduate StudentFarideh Barghak, a Master’s student and former international visiting Ph.D. candidate at UNBC (2022-2023), specializes in analytical chemistry. Her research involves synthesizing and characterizing modified yolk-shell and core-shell magnetic nanoparticles, with applications in dye and pesticide removal.
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Farzana Nargis
Graduate StudentFarzana Nargis, an MSc student at UNBC from 2019 to 2022, focused on developing clay-based adsorbents for phosphate removal from eutrophic lake water, contributing to the restoration and maintenance of aquatic ecosystems.
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Gangbin Yan
Mitacs Globalink InternGangbin Yan, a Mitacs Globalink intern during the summer of 2018, engaged in research that contributed to advancements in his field of study, furthering academic and practical knowledge through international collaboration.
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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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Hanieh Askari
International Visiting PhD studentHanieh Askari, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC (2023-2024), specializes in analytical chemistry. Her research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of novel nano-structured materials and microspheres, and the preparation of switchable hydrophilicity solvents for the preconcentration and removal of persistent organic po…
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Harsh R Darji
Mitacs Globalink InternHarsh R Darji, a Mitacs Globalink Intern in Summer 2022, worked on using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for CO2 capturing and conversion, contributing to climate change mitigation through innovative carbon capture technologies.
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Helena Mirzabeigi
Graduate StudentHelena Mirzabeigi, an MSc student at UNBC (2022-2024), specializes in chemical engineering. Her research focuses on the development and characterization of novel biodegradable polymers for food packaging, aiming to advance sustainable packaging solutions.
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Hoorieh Jahanbani
Research Associate and Post-doctoral fellowHoorieh Jahanbani, Ph.D., specializes in organic chemistry with a focus on bio-MOF synthesis and applications. As a research associate and post-doctoral fellow at UNBC since 2021, she is dedicated to advancing the field of organic materials for diverse applications.
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Hossein Zeinalzadeh
Graduate StudentHossein Zeinalzadeh, an MSc student at UNBC from 2021 to 2023, focuses on CO2 capturing and conversion using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), contributing to advancements in sustainable environmental technologies.
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Lon Kerr
Graduate StudentLon Kerr, an MSc student at UNBC from 2019 to 2022, focused on developing zeolite-based antibacterial compounds for water purification, enhancing methods for ensuring cleaner and safer water supplies.
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Anara Omarova
International Visiting PhD StudentAnara Omarova, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC (2019-2020), focused on the development of MOF-based SPME fibers for measuring volatile organic compounds in air, enhancing techniques for environmental monitoring and analysis.
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Ann Duong
Graduate StudentAnn Duong is a former PhD student with the Matter team at UNBC, focusing on industrial hygiene testing. Her research involved assessing the equivalency of the Disposable Respirable Sampler to the IOM for inhalable and respirable dust and metals sampling.
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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.
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Behrad Mahmoudi Saati
International Visiting Ph.D StudentBehrad Mahmoudi Saati, an international visiting Ph.D. student at UNBC (2022-2023), is a candidate in Coatings Science and Technology. His research focuses on the antimicrobial applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks and their composites, aiming to enhance protective coating technologies.
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Charles Bradshaw
Graduate StudentCharles Bradshaw, an MSc student at UNBC from 2020 to 2023, focuses on nutrient removal and management, aiming to enhance environmental sustainability and water quality through innovative research.
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Diana Carrillo Vazquez
Mitacs Globalink InternDiana Carrillo Vazquez, a chemical engineering undergraduate and Mitacs Intern, focuses on a project involving air pollution monitoring and control of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).
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Dominic Reiffarth
Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorateDominic Reiffarth, Ph.D., specializes in natural resources and environmental studies with a focus on solid waste management best practices. As part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2023, he is dedicated to developing cost-effective, sustainable solid waste solutions for rural regions of BC.
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Dorna Sobhani
Graduate StudentDorna Sobhani, an MSc student at UNBC from 2020 to 2023, specializes in environmental science and chemical engineering. Her research focuses on developing a dual-functional adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of cationic and anionic nutrients from contaminated water bodies, contributing to water purification and environmental health.
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Emily Brown
Summer internEmily Brown first joined us as a summer intern in 2021, where she focused on the synthesis and utilization of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for the removal of glyphosate from water, contributing to the development of effective water purification technologies. She returned for the summer of 2022 to work on an… -

Aanchal Alagh
Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorateAanchal Alagh, Ph.D., specializes in nanotechnology with a focus on CO2 reduction and climate change mitigation. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2024, she is dedicated to developing nanotechnological solutions that address environmental challenges.
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Aatif Ali Shah
Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorateAatif Ali Shah, Ph.D., specializes in advanced materials and chemical engineering with a focus on hydrogen production through water electrolysis combined with wastewater treatment. Part of the Matter team at UNBC since 2022, he is dedicated to developing innovative energy solutions.
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Adam Burkitt
Eco Canada InternAdam Burkitt, an Eco Canada Intern in Summer 2022, focused on nitrogen detection in water and soil samples, validating methods that enhance environmental monitoring and assessment.
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Alfonso Diego Garza Isla
Mitacs Globalink InternAlfonso Diego Garza Isla, a Mitacs Globalink Intern in Summer 2019, focused on air pollution monitoring and control for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), aiming to enhance environmental air quality management.