Ali Zaker, Ph.D. Email and Phone Number

• Scale-up and optimize biocatalytic depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate to its building blocks. • Systematically investigated impact of ball milling on the microstructure of polyethylene terephthalate. • Negotiated the procurement of a variety of laboratory apparatus, resulting in cost savings of 15-30%.• Two journal publications and poster presentations at Open Plastic Symposium.

• Proof-of-concept study conducted to coat melamine sponge with superhydrophobic sludge-based activated char for oil/water separation. • Comprehensive study of significant progress in designing and synthesizing carbon materials, including nanotubes, aerogels, composites, and biomass derivatives, with their adsorption potential for CO2. • Trained junior members for experimental plan, chemical inventory, data reporting, and hazardous waste management. • Wrote grant proposals for funding agencies on removing microplastics and oil from water. • Three journal publications, reviewer of Springer publisher, and poster judge at 25th CBRGC.

• Built time management, planning, prioritization, mentorship, and leadership skills as a teaching assistant for various courses, including Introduction to Environmental Engineering, Greenhouse Gas Emission and Control, Environment Impact Assessment, Thermodynamics 1, Sustainable Development and Environmental Stewardship, and Civil Engineering Systems.• Exam invigilator of Centre for Teaching and Learning, and Access Centre for Students with Disabilities.

• Collected and analyzed sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment facility in Montreal, Jean-R.-Marcotte, to explore a technological strategy to shift current incineration practices towards resource recovery. • Investigation on microwave and conventional heating for valorization of sewage sludge. • Designed, built, and optimized a fixed-bed pyrolyzer setup. • Theoretical and experimental studies of (1) co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and low-density polyethylene (2) catalytic pyrolysis of sewage sludge with HZSM5 and sludge-derived activated char. • Development of a sludge-based activated char sorbent for oil spill remediation. • Built strong team interactions in multi-disciplinary teams: (1) chosen as the delegate of Civil Engineering department at TRAC union (2) environmental volunteer activities at Concordia Zero Waste. • Collaboration in grant proposal writing to Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) as part of converting sludge to activated char project. • Five journal publications and two international conference presentations.

• Coordinate with multi-disciplinary project teams to manage project deliverables (study, design, and commissioning phases), ensuring that budgets and schedules are respected. • Integrated the sustainability concept with the environmental and chemical engineering knowledge to conserve the resources such as water resources and energy recovery from the wastes. • Created documentation for stakeholders, prepared quotes, followed up on contracts, and issued certifications. • Participate in site visits to collect drinking water samples and evaluate the quality level. • Responsible for developing customized water treatment systems for small communities. • Contributed to the development of grant proposals for governmental agencies.