PhD in Environmental and Energy Engineering

Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar

Research focus: environmental remediation, water and wastewater treatment

Kashif is working on the identification, selection, and scientific application of water quality, and sustainable innovative water/wastewater treatment for further water reuse strategies. He tested anti-biofouling membranes for water desalination and biological water treatment. Designed to cope with the more extreme weather conditions of the Arabian Gulf, these advanced membranes enable ultrafast water permeation, while maintaining good mechanical properties — crucial factors for advancing sustainable water purification and desalination technologies.

CV as submitted for the Green Talents award (2017):

Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute, Qatar

Research focus: environmental and energy engineering/biological wastewater treatment in aerobic/anaerobic processes

Industries involved in the production of domestic products are producing more and more pollutants. Many of these pollutants, such as nutrients, heavy metals and dyes, end up in the water supply, thus raising the prospect of damage to human health. Kashif’s research seeks to provide a solution for advanced sustainable and economical water treatment. He is focusing on the biological removal of organics, heavy metals, nutrients and emerging micro-pollutants from a variety of wastewater streams, coupled with renewable bio-energy production.

As a researcher at QEERI, Kashif is working on the identification, selection and scientific application of water quality and sustainable innovative water/wastewater treatment for further water reuse strategies. Membrane processes are proving to be sustainable, economic and efficient desalination and water purification technologies and he is currently testing an anti-biofouling membrane for water desalination and biological water treatment. Designed to cope with the more extreme weather conditions of the Arabian Gulf, these advanced membranes enable ultrafast water permeation, while maintaining good mechanical properties; highly important factors for advancing sustainable water purification and desalination technologies.

The jury was particularly encouraged by the potential of Kashif’s research to deal with one of the world’s most pressing concerns: water security. Reclaiming water for reuse applications instead of using freshwater supplies is currently considered globally as the most critical element of sustainable water management. Kashif already has a pending patent application, thus demonstrating the groundbreaking promise of his research.