Lancaster Environment Centre

Transatlantic initiative for nanotechnology and the environment (TINE)

Hamid completed his BSc (soil science) and MSc (soil chemistrypollution) in Ferdowsi Univeristy, Iran. He continued studying at the Department of Chemistry, Stockholm University, completing a second MSc thesis (environmental chemistry) in 2004.

The title of Hamid’s two MSc thesis are:

Studying the Effect of Leather Processing Factories Effluents on the Rate of Chromium and Determination of Its Chemical Forms in Soil fractions.

Submitted to Department of Soil Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashad, 2003, Iran Supervisors: Dr A .Fotovat, Prof. G. Haghnia, Dr. M. Chamsaz

Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and clean-up of organic micro pollutants from airborne particles and polyurethane foam (PUF) adsorbent

Submitted to Department of Environmental Chemistry, 2004, Stockholm University, Sweden Supervisors: Dr T. Alsberg, ,M. Strandell, Dr A. Egebäck

For his PhD Hamid joined department of Civil and Structural Engineering at University of Sheffield, when he was a member of Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group (GPRG).

Hamid PhD research was part of Cell-Mineral Interface (C-MI) Research Program with focus on cell-mineral surface chemistry. This programme aimed to create a step change in understanding the molecular basis for microbial interactions with the natural environment through world-class multidisciplinary scientific research, strong international collaboration and close consultation with industry.

The project specifically planned to characterise the chemical reactions occurring between cell molecules and mineral surfaces to elucidate the relationships between minerals, microbes and pollutants. This research helps us to better understand, predict, and potentially manage, biodegradation activity within contaminated soils and groundwater.

Hamid PhD dissertation title is:

Studying Molecular and Nanoscale Interactions at Metal Oxide Surfaces and Their Effects on Bacterial Adhesion

Submitted to Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, 2010 UK. Supervisor Prof. Steven A Banwart, Dr.Maria Romero Gonzales, Examiners; Prof. Susan Stipp (Head of NanoGeoScience Center, Copenhagen University), Dr. Ryan Wilson University of Sheffield

In 2011 Hamid joined Lancaster University as a Postdoctoral fellow. He is part of Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE) project, which is an international consortium and funded by EPA (US) and NERC (UK). His task in this international project is to modify Diffusive Gradient Thin-film Devices (that is pioneered by Dr.Hao Zhang and patented by Lancaster University) to develop tools for in situ detection, monitoring, and characterization of pristine MNMs and a-MNMs in environmental media and biota.