Project: Pyrolysis and Sustainable Energy

Mohammadali earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in biosystems and renewable energies from the University of Tehran, Iran, in 2021. His academic journey has been defined by a strong commitment to sustainable energy solutions. From 2019 to 2021, he expanded his research expertise as a graduate researcher in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, where he gained valuable insights into advanced energy technologies. Also, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Division of Engineering at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada, where he continues to develop innovative solutions in renewable energy. Mohammadali has published numerous papers in high-impact Q1 journals and contributed to several book chapters on renewable energy. His innovative contributions to the field are further reflected in patents related to sustainable energy systems. His research focuses on modeling and optimizing hybrid renewable energy systems and environmental sustainability, incorporating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Assessment to evaluate the long-term viability and impact of energy systems. Beyond research, Mohammadali actively contributes to the academic community as a member of the editorial board for Energy Storage and Saving (ESS) and an Editor for Frontiers in Energy Research. He also serves as an Associate Editor for e-Prime and has taken on the role of guest editor for special issues.

Project: Converting poultry manure into energy through pyrolysis

Koushika holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her academic journey has been driven by a strong commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, with a particular focus on biostimulant development and the environmental impact of agrochemicals. Her master’s research, conducted in collaboration with Stella-Jones Inc., explored the effects of a novel wood preservative on soil microbial communities and plant systems, using kale and lettuce as model species. Through a combination of microbiological, biochemical, and greenhouse-based methods, she assessed plant-soil interactions and ecosystem responses to chemical treatments. Alongside this, Koushika contributed to a PIVP-funded project at VerFa Agrifood Innovations Inc., where she developed innovative, non-chemical “zero-touch” technologies to enhance food safety in microgreen production systems. Previously, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science from Dalhousie University with distinction, completing an honours project focused on nitrogen uptake efficiency in cereal crops using organic and synthetic fertilizers under the 4R nutrient stewardship framework. She also holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India, where she led a field project on high-density cotton cultivation. Her doctoral research focuses on the production of biofuels from poultry manure through pyrolysis a thermochemical process that converts organic waste into bio-oil, biochar, and syngas. Her work involves optimizing pyrolysis conditions to improve fuel yield and efficiency, while also conducting in-depth chemical analyses to evaluate the quality and sustainability of the resulting biofuels.

Project: Investigating the use of agricultural sidestream for cost-effective and sustainable cellular agriculture

Ghazaleh Afrahi is a researcher and designer focused on sustainability, circular economy, and user-centered design. She holds a Master of Science in Design & Engineering from Politecnico di Milano and has led interdisciplinary projects on waste valorization and the development of sustainable materials for both additive and traditional manufacturing. Her work combines engineering and design principles, applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) to evaluate the environmental and economic viability of emerging solutions. She is also engaged in design for accessibility and inclusive user experience. Ghazaleh’s research spans upcycling manufacturing waste, greenhouse gas reduction technologies, and the use of agro-industrial byproducts in cellular agriculture. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Dalhousie University’s Circular Process Engineering Lab as part of the DERISC Fellowship, where she investigates sustainable inputs and supply chains for food biomanufacturing.

Project: Investigating the application of drinking water treatment residuals for the removal of PFAS from water

I am a graduate student in chemical engineering, holding a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Dalhousie University. My academic and research interests focus on separation processes, colloids, waste valorization, adsorption, energy optimization, and material synthesis. My recent research studies focus on creating effective adsorbents from drinking water treatment residuals and testing their efficiency and effectiveness in capturing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). I am passionate about developing innovative solutions to improve sustainability and efficiency in the field of chemical engineering.

Project: Investigating the Pyrolysis of Brewers' Spent Grain to Enhance Crystal Violet Adsorption Capacity

I am a graduate student in Chemical Engineering at Dalhousie University, specializing in wastewater treatment, waste and biomass valorization, green engineering, and biochar development through adsorption and pyrolysis. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Marwadi University in 2021, where I received the Gold Medal for outstanding academic performance. I gained practical experience during my undergraduate studies and have 2.5 years of professional experience in the chemical industry. My research focuses on innovative solutions for waste management and sustainable engineering practices.