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Group lunch (December 2010, from right to left): Jing Shen (M.Sc. student), Eric Cheng (co-op student), Yuwei Yang (RA), Hessam Ziaeiazad (Ph.D. student), Arvind Chhabra (M.Sc. student), Cindy-Xing Yin (RA), Natalia Semagina, Ran Ma (M.Sc. student).

 

 

 

 

 

Natalia Semagina

 

 

Professional Experience

  • 2008 - present: Assistant Professor, U of A
  • 2005 - 2007: Scientific collaborator, Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
  • 2002 - 2004: Assistant Professor, Dep. Biotechnology & Chemistry, Tver State Technical University (TSTU), Tver, Russia
  • 2000 - 2002: Senior Lecturer, Dep. Biotechnology & Chemistry, TSTU, Tver, Russia
  • 1999 - 2004: Researcher, Laboratory of Catalysis, TSTU, Tver, Russia

Education

  • 2000 Ph.D., Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis, TSTU, Tver, Russia
  • 1999 Teacher of Higher Institutes of Education, TSTU, Tver, Russia
  • 1998 M.Sc., Biotechnology, TSTU, Tver, Russia

Research Expertise

  • Development of heterogeneous/structured and homogeneous catalysts based on transition metals
  • Size- and shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanoparticles stabilized by surfactants/polymers
  • Thin metal oxide film formation on solid surfaces
  • Structure sensitivity of catalytic reactions
  • Mass transfer, kinetics and kinetic modeling of semibatch multiphase catalytic hydrogenations
  • Ultrasonic catalyst activation/regeneration; ultrasonic extraction from organic raw material
  • Immobilized enzymes and their use as biosorbents

 

 

 

Yuwei Yang ,

PhD, Research Associate

 

 

Current Research Project

Development of a fluorescent sensor for simple screening for palladium and platinum nanoparticles. The sensor will be useful for specific determination of nanoPd and nanoPt, and can be used in various mixtures including biological matrix. The project is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Larry D. Unsworth (U of A).

Education

2002: Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, University of Western Ontario

1989: M.Sc. Chemistry, Shandong University, P.R. China  

Professional Experience

2004 - 2009 Research Scientist, Naeja Pharmaceutical Inc., Edmonton

2003  - 2004 Postdoctoral Fellow, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba

Y. Yang, March 2010

 

 

 

Hessam Ziaeiazad,

Ph.D. student

 

 

Current Research Activities

Application of nano-bimetallic catalysts for ring opening reactions of sulphur containing compounds in order to improve the quality of diesel fuel.

Research Interests

- Heterogeneous catalysis in environmental and energy related processes

- Hydrogen purification for fuel cell applications

- Design and synthesis of nanostructured materials

- Kinetics and surface studies

Education

2010 - present Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton

2007-2010 M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran

2003-2007 B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran

Selected Publications

- H. Ziaei-Azad, A. Khodadadi, P. Esmaeilnejad-Ahranjani, Y. Mortazavi, "Effects of Pd on enhancement of oxidation activity of LaBO3 (B= Mn; Fe; Co and Ni) perovskite catalysts for pollution abatement from natural gas fueled vehicles", Applied Catalysis B, in press (2010)

- A. Razeghi, A. Khodadadi, H. Ziaei-Azad, Y. Mortazavi, "Activity enhancement of Cu-doped ceria by reductive regeneration of CuO-CeO2 catalyst for preferential oxidation of CO in H2-rich streams ", Chemical Engineering Journal 164, 214-220 (2010)

- H. Ziaei-Azad, P. Esmaeilnejad-Ahranjani, A. Khodadadi, Y. Mortazavi "Activity enhancement of LaCo0.95Pd0.05O3 regenerative catalyst for oxidation of pollutants in exhaust of natural gas engines ", 6th World Congress on Oxidation Catalysis (6th WCOC), Lille, France, July 5-10 (2009)

Hobbies

Interested in almost every sport, going out with friends, travelling, moutain climbing, watching movies and reading books (especially in winter)

H. Ziaeiazad, January 2011

 

 

 

 

Arvind Chhabra,

M.Sc. student

 

 

Research Interests

- Structured catalysts

- Nano materials and nano fibers

- Kinetics and reaction engineering

Education

Since 2010   M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, University of Alberta

2006 - 2010 B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology,                  Tehran, Iran

Honours

- Ranked 3rd in National Chem-e-car competition in Iran (2009)

- Ranked 1st in Sharif University of Technology Chem-e-car competition (2009)

- Undergraduate GPA ranked amongst the top 10% of Chemical engineering students (2010)

Hobbies

- Movies

- Classical & Rock Music

- Physics & Philosophy

- Swimming

A. Chhabra, January 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former group members

Cindy-Xing Yin, RA

Jing Shen, graduated in 2011 (M.Sc. student)

Ran Ma, graduated in 2011 (M.Sc. student)

Jadid Ettaz Samad, graduated in 2010 (M.Sc. student)