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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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.