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Fatemeh Asadi Zeidabadi
Research topic
Electrochemical degradation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water
Faculty
Research supervisor(s)
Home Town
Sirjan
Country
Iran
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
As an environmental engineer working in the field of water and wastewater, I decided to pursue a graduate degree to advance my knowledge and skills in this area. I believe that graduate studies will provide me with a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding water and wastewater treatment, including the latest research and technological developments in the field. Moreover, a graduate degree will equip me with the tools and resources needed to tackle the pressing environmental challenges related to water and wastewater management. It will also provide me with the opportunity to develop practical solutions that can help communities to meet their water and wastewater needs in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
One of the reasons why I decided to study at UBC is its excellent reputation as a leading research-intensive university in Canada and the world. UBC is renowned for its academic excellence, diverse community, and commitment to advancing knowledge through cutting-edge research and innovation. Its faculty members are world-class experts in their fields, and the university has a rich history of producing research that addresses some of the world's most pressing challenges.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
The Chemical Engineering program with a focus on water treatment at UBC specifically attracted me because of its interdisciplinary approach and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field. Additionally, the program's faculty are experts in a wide range of areas, from materials science to bioengineering, and the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of researchers was highly appealing to me.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The best surprise was the diverse and welcoming community at UBC.
UBC is renowned for its academic excellence, diverse community, and commitment to advancing knowledge through cutting-edge research and innovation. Its faculty members are world-class experts in their fields, and the university has a rich history of producing research that addresses some of the world's most pressing challenges.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
My work and research experience in a related field (water treatment) has best prepared me for my UBC graduate program in Chemical Engineering with a focus on water treatment.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
My advice is to build a professional network. Networking is crucial in graduate studies and beyond. Attend conferences, join professional associations, and participate in extracurricular activities to meet people in your field and build your professional network.
Learn more about Fatemeh's research
The objective of my research is to investigate the effectiveness of electrochemical processes in removing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water. PFAS are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic contaminants that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products. Traditional water treatment methods are ineffective in removing PFAS from water, and their persistence in the environment has led to increasing concerns about their impact on human health and the environment. In this study, we will focus on electrochemical oxidation for the treatment of PFAS-contaminated water. The research will involve laboratory-scale experiments to optimize the electrochemical processes for PFAS removal. The effect of various operational parameters will be studied to determine the optimal conditions for maximum PFAS decomposition efficiency. The efficiency of the process will also be evaluated in terms of energy consumption and cost-effectiveness. The results of this research will contribute to the development of efficient and sustainable technologies for the removal of PFAS from water. The findings can be used to inform the design and operation of large-scale treatment systems for the remediation of PFAS-contaminated water sources.
