Lab members
Current members of the EnvBioProM Lab
Jorge Rodríguez R. PhD, MSc, FHEA, FIWA
I am a professor of chemical engineering at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, where I lead the EnvBioProM research group and also serve as Theme Lead at the Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT). My academic trajectory spans more than two decades and multiple countries. I have held academic and research positions at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) in Spain, the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia, the University of South Wales (USW) in the United Kingdom and the former Masdar Institute -now Khalifa University- in the United Arab Emirates, combining research, teaching, academic leadership, and service to the scientific community.
I received my PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Santiago de Compostela, where I also completed my MSc and BEng degrees in chemical engineering. In addition, I hold formal qualifications in higher-education teaching and in environmental project planning and management.
I am actively involved in editorial activities and service to the international scientific community. I currently serve as Editor for the journals Water Research and Chemical Engineering Science. I am a Fellow of the International Water Association (IWA) and currently Chair of the IWA's Specialist Group on Anaerobic Digestion. I was also a founder and current President of the Association of Spanish Scientists & Researchers in the UAE (ACIEAU).
Ahmed Taha
Postdoctoral Researcher (2024-)
Ahmed Taha is a postdoctoral researcher in the EnvBioProM Lab, working under projects developed in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health. His current research focuses on the mathematical modelling of infectious disease dynamics, contributing to the lab’s epidemiological modelling activities and the development of quantitative tools to support public-health analysis and decision making.
In addition to his work in epidemiology, Ahmed contributes to the supervision of PhD students in the lab, particularly in areas related to mathematical modelling of microbial processes, including metabolic and bioenergetic frameworks, microbial community dynamics, and water and wastewater treatment systems. His work bridges environmental biotechnology and epidemiological modelling, reinforcing the lab’s integrative approach to complex biological systems.
Meet the brilliant researchers and students in our lab
Basila Abdu
PhD candidate (2022-)
Basila Abdu is a PhD researcher in the EnvBioProM Lab. Her doctoral research focuses on the treatment of high-nitrogen and sulfate-rich wastewaters using combined biological processes, with particular emphasis on autotrophic nitrogen removal pathways, including ANAMMOX-based systems. Her PhD work was initially framed within a research project funded by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), aimed at the treatment of steam-cycle wastewater streams from power plant boilers, specifically those containing high concentrations of ethanolamine. Through this work, Basila’s research addresses the integration of advanced biological nitrogen removal processes for challenging industrial wastewater applications, contributing to the development of robust and energy-efficient treatment strategies.
Shibin Nadersha
PhD candidate (2022-)
Shibin Nadersha is a PhD researcher in the EnvBioProM Lab. His doctoral research focuses on the production of high-value nutraceutical products from microalgae, with particular emphasis on sugar alcohols with potential applications as natural sweeteners. His work investigates how environmental conditions such as salinity and nutrient limitation influence microalgal metabolism and product formation. Through the controlled application of these stress conditions, his research explores strategies to enhance the synthesis of value-added compounds, contributing to the development of sustainable bioprocesses for microalgae-based production platforms
Saba Y. Hittini
PhD candidate (2024-)
Saba is a PhD researcher in the EnvBioProM Lab. Her doctoral research focuses on the mathematical modelling of microbial processes using metabolic and bioenergetic frameworks, with the aim of developing mechanistic descriptions of complex fermentative systems. Her work is particularly centered on chain elongation processes for the production of value-added fermentation products. From a theoretical perspective, her research integrates metabolic modelling and bioenergetic constraints to understand resource allocation and process efficiency in mixed microbial communities. In a subsequent phase of her research, these modelling frameworks are complemented with experimental studies, allowing the validation and refinement of model predictions under controlled bioprocess conditions.
Former lab members
Meet the brilliant graduate students and researchers that once passed by the EnvBioProM Lab
Tomás Allegue
Postdoctoral Researcher (2021-2024)
Tomás was a postdoctoral researcher in the EnvBioProM group between 2021 and 2024, joining the lab from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC). During this period, he led and carried out high quality experimental research in wastewater treatment and mixed-culture bioprocesses, with a focus on aerobic and anoxic systems, fermentation processes and inhibition phenomena in open microbial communities. His work contributed to the experimental understanding of process capacity, operational limits, and microbial performance in lab-scale wastewater treatment systems, supporting applied bioprocess development and collaborative research activities within the group.
Mauricio Patón
PhD Candidate (2015-2019) & Postdoctoral Researcher (2019-2024)
Mauricio Patón was initially a PhD researcher in the EnvBioProM Lab, following his academic training in Hydraulic Engineering & Environment and Environmental Science at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. During his doctoral period, his work focused on the modelling and analysis of wastewater treatment processes, drawing on an interdisciplinary background that combined environmental engineering and systems modelling. After completing his PhD, Mauricio later rejoined the EnvBioProM Lab as a postdoctoral researcher. In this role, he worked on the modelling of microbial fermentations, contributing to the lab’s efforts to develop mechanistic and predictive frameworks for complex biological systems.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mauricio transitioned to working full time on epidemiological modelling of infectious disease dynamics. As part of collaborative projects led by the lab with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and other institutional partners, he played a central role in the development of mathematical models to support public-health decision making. This research direction in epidemiological modelling was initiated within the EnvBioProM Lab through this work and subsequently became a major line of research within the group.
Ahmed Taha
MSc Student (2015-2017) & PhD Candidate (2019-2023)
Ahmed Taha was initially a graduate researcher in the EnvBioProM Lab, where he completed his MSc and PhD studies. With a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah, his graduate research focused on the design and modelling of environmental bioprocesses, including microbial fuel cells and waste-to-energy systems. His work during this period reflected a strong interest in the application of rigorous engineering principles to biological and environmental systems.
Ramis Rafay
MSc Student Chemical Engineering (2017-2019) & Research Engineer (2019-2021)
Ramis Rafay holds a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Nottingham. At EnvBioProM, he worked on ecological methods for marine microalgae cultivation with aims to maximize single-cell protein production. Ramis also brought leadership and community engagement to campus activities, including serving as captain of the badminton team and president of the music society.
Joao Uratani
Lab Technical Manager (2013-2018) &
MSc Student Water & Environmental Engineering (2011-2013)
Joao Uratani served as Lab Technical Manager and previously completed his MSc in Water & Environmental Engineering. With a foundation in Bioprocess Engineering & Biotechnology, Joao contributed to analytical biochemistry research and environmental biotechnology projects. His broad interests included systems biology and emerging biofuel technologies, informed by work experience in R&D and innovation management.
Wasim Ahmed
PhD candidate (2013-2018)
Wasim Ahmed pursued his PhD focusing on anaerobic co-digestion, modelling, optimization, and control of biological systems. He holds a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from the American University in Sharjah and authored multiple peer-reviewed publications during his doctoral research. Wasim balances technical work with personal interests such as film and gaming.
Zainab Al Mheiri
MSc Engineering Systems Management (2015-2017)
Zainab Al Mheiri completed her master’s in Engineering Systems Management, bringing an interdisciplinary approach to water and environmental challenges. With a bachelor’s in Civil & Environmental Engineering, she believes innovation flourishes at the intersection of disciplines and is guided by a philosophy of curiosity and inquiry.
Kulthoum A. Ismail
MSc Water and Environmental Engineering Student (2015-2017)
Kulthoum A. Ismail combined her mathematics background with environmental engineering to explore environmental systems through quantitative analysis. Her work in the lab reflected her passion for applying mathematical insights to real-world environmental problems.
Mariam M. Alkaabi
MSc Water and Environmental Engineering Student (2014-2016)
Mariam M. Alkaabi holds a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology and contributed to research on leveraging indigenous plants and microorganisms for biochemical production. Her work extended to the utilization of biological systems for valuable chemical synthesis.
Rashed Al Gaoud
MSc Water and Environmental Engineering Student (2011-2016)
Rashed Al Gaoud completed his MSc with a focus on spatial and temporal characterization of microbial communities in constructed wetlands, blending environmental engineering with microbial ecology. Prior to this, he gained professional experience in civil engineering roles.
Dr Raji Kumaraswamy
Senior Postdoctoral Researcher (2012-2015)
Dr. Raji Kumaraswamy brought extensive expertise to EnvBioProM, integrating microbial ecology with environmental biotechnology. With advanced training in applied microbiology and experience from research institutions in India and the Netherlands, he contributed to molecular characterization and community analysis techniques, and co-supervised postgraduate research.
Dr Irina Dana Ofiteru
Senior Postdoctoral Researcher (2012-2014)
Dr. Irina Dana Ofiteru joined the lab as a postdoctoral researcher in bioprocess modelling, simulation, and optimization. With a PhD in Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, her work spanned multi-scale biological dynamics, microbial community assembly, and optimization of engineered systems.
Dr Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyanedel
Postdoctoral Researcher (2012-2013)
Dr. Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyanedel contributed to EnvBioProM with expertise in bioreactor design, analytical monitoring, and thermodynamic modelling of biological fermentations. His research interests included community structure and metabolism in mixed culture systems.
Rebeca González Cabaleiro
Visiting PhD Student from USC (Spain) (2012-2013)
Rebeca González Cabaleiro came to EnvBioProM as a visiting PhD student with research centered on mathematical modelling of anaerobic fermentations. Her academic journey combined international experience and deep interest in microbial culture behaviour and control.
Tolutola Oyetunde
MSc Chemical Engineering Student (2012-2014)
Tolutola Oyetunde completed his master’s in Chemical Engineering, contributing to modelling research with a keen focus on technical excellence. His interests extended beyond academia into creative pursuits and collaborative problem-solving.
Nikita Jayswal
Research Engineer & Lab Technical Manager (2011-2013)
Nikita Jayswal served as a research engineer and lab technical manager with EnvBioProM. Holding a master’s in Water & Environmental Engineering, she worked across renewable energy, water treatment, and sustainability domains. After her time with the lab, she continued to apply her expertise with international NGO work.
