Matter

Material Technology

Environmental Research

Current Members

  • Dr. Hossein Kazemian (PI)
    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.

    View Profile: Hossein Kazemian (PI)
  • 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.

    View Profile: Ahmad Jalil
  • 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.

    View Profile: Mya Schouwenburg
  • 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.

    View Profile: Hossein Roohollahi
  • 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.

    View Profile: Sunil Walia
  • 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.

    View Profile: Nasim Ghavidel
  • Dominic Reiffarth
    Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorate

    Dominic 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.

    View Profile: Dominic Reiffarth
  • 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.

    View Profile: Yinchun Guo
  • S. Fatemeh Nouroozi
    Graduate Student

    S. Fatemeh Nouroozi, a Ph.D. candidate in inorganic chemistry, specializes in developing MOF-based sorbent tubes and SPME for VOC sampling and measurement. As part of her research, she focuses on enhancing volatile organic compound analysis techniques.

    View Profile: S. Fatemeh Nouroozi
  • 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.

    View Profile: Ariadna López
  • Aderonke O. Oyeyiola
    International Visiting Researcher

    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.

    View Profile: Aderonke O. Oyeyiola
  • 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.

    View Profile: Leila Doudey
  • 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.

    View Profile: Habibollah Bahman
  • 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 posed by the excessive use of plastic in packaging, particularly its detrimental effects on the environment and marine life.

    View Profile: Muhammad Tahir
  • 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 aims to develop sustainable solutions by turning local waste into valuable biopolymer materials.

    View Profile: Tina Fathalipour Ardabili

Alumni Members

  • Lon Kerr
    Graduate Student

    Lon 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.

    View Profile: Lon Kerr
  • Dorna Sobhani
    Graduate Student

    Dorna 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.

    View Profile: Dorna Sobhani
  • Charles Bradshaw
    Graduate Student

    Charles 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.

    View Profile: Charles Bradshaw
  • Ann Duong
    Graduate Student

    Ann 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.

    View Profile: Ann Duong
  • Aanchul
    Aanchal Alagh
    Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorate

    Aanchal 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.

    View Profile: Aanchal Alagh
  • Saeed Bagherifam
    Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Post-doctorate

    Saeed 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.

    View Profile: Saeed Bagherifam,
  • Aatif Ali Shah
    Mitacs Elevate Industrial Post-doctorate

    Aatif 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.

    View Profile: Aatif Ali Shah
  • 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.

    View Profile: Mohammad Kavand
  • Hoorieh Jahanbani
    Research Associate and Post-doctoral fellow

    Hoorieh 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.

    View Profile: Hoorieh Jahanbani
  • Oshini Kottagodage
    Summer Student

    Oshini 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.

    View Profile: Oshini Kottagodage
  • Sakshi Satish
    Summer Student

    Sakshi 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.

    View Profile: Sakshi Satish
  • Harsh R Darji
    Mitacs Globalink Intern

    Harsh 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.

    View Profile: Harsh R Darji 
  • Alfonso Diego Garza Isla
    Mitacs Globalink Intern

    Alfonso 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.

    View Profile: Alfonso Diego Garza Isla
  • 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.

    View Profile: Melissa Becerril Medina
  • Adam Burkitt
    Eco Canada Intern

    Adam 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.

    View Profile: Adam Burkitt
  • 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.

    View Profile: Madeline Clarke
  • 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.

    View Profile: Sophie Ngo
  • 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.

    View Profile: Sarah Wood
  • Ryan Koyanagi
    Eco-Canada Summer Intern

    Ryan 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.

    View Profile: Ryan Koyanagi
  • Hanieh Askari
    International Visiting PhD student

    Hanieh 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 pollutants (POPs) from water.

    View Profile: Hanieh Askari
  • Waranya (Ping) 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.

    View Profile: Waranya Wataniyakun
  • Behrad Mahmoudi Saati
    International Visiting Ph.D Student

    Behrad 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.

    View Profile: Behrad Mahmoudi Saati
  • Farideh Barghak
    Graduate Student

    Farideh 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.

    View Profile: Farideh Barghak
  • 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).

    View Profile: Mohammad Hossein Aboonasr Shiraz
  • Ali Bumajdad
    International Visiting Researcher

    Ali 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.

    View Profile: Ali Bumajdad
  • Hossein Zeinalzadeh
    Graduate Student

    Hossein 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.

    View Profile: Hossein Zeinalzadeh
  • Farzana Nargis
    Graduate Student

    Farzana 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.

    View Profile: Farzana Nargis
  • Helena Mirzabeigi
    Graduate Student

    Helena 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.

    View Profile: Helena Mirzabeigi
  • 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.

    View Profile: Simisola Idim
  • Saki Kondo
    Graduate Student

    Saki 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.

    View Profile: Saki Kondo
  • Sahar Ebadzadsahraei
    Graduate Student

    Sahar 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.

    View Profile: Sahar Ebadzadsahraei
  • Anara Omarova
    International Visiting PhD Student

    Anara 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.

    View Profile: Anara Omarova
  • 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.

    View Profile: Mostafa Marzi
  • Gangbin Yan
    Mitacs Globalink Intern

    Gangbin 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.

    View Profile: Gangbin Yan
  • 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.

    View Profile: Shaghayegh Naghdi
  • Emily Brown
    Summer intern

    Emily 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 analytical project providing data for one of NALS’ industrial partners.

    View Profile: Emily Brown
  • 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.

    View Profile: Sara Haghjoo
  • 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.

    View Profile: Mandeep Kaur
  • 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.

    View Profile: Navjot Kaur
  • 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.

    View Profile: Sebastian Tannert
  • 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).

    View Profile: Maria De La Rosa
  • Diana Carrillo Vazquez
    Mitacs Globalink Intern

    Diana 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).

    View Profile: Diana Carrillo Vazquez