Project title: Collaborative Research: IRES Track I: Materials based innovations for sustainable water treatment and reuse (OISE 1952438)

Project period: September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2023

Funding source: U.S. National Science Foundation, International Research Experience for Students (IRES) program

Institutions: Michigan State University, Louisiana State University

Project abstract:

This collaborative IRES project provides U.S. students with opportunities to engage in water science and engineering research in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Montpellier and the European Institute of Membranes in Montpellier, France as well as partners from extended international networks. Research projects focus on scientifically meaningful challenges in order to develop new materials and technologies for water treatment and reuse. The project leverages the complementary skills and resources of U.S. and international collaborators; access to unique analytical instrumentation, water treatment facilities, and materials fabrication technologies at international locations enables research not possible without the IRES linkages. The thirteen-week IRES experience includes a 9-week research stay at French laboratories where each U.S. student is co-supervised by U.S. PIs and an international mentor. The projects are designed to accentuate questions regarding humanity’s relationship with water, adding a unique interdisciplinary quality to the IRES. The ultimate goal of the project is to foster global, technical, and professional competencies in a diverse group of IRES students. Participants benefit from the program professionally and personally; their IRES experience equips them with essential skills for success in the increasingly globalized world as they engage their knowledge and passions to address critical environmental challenges.

This IRES project is focused on training the next generation of U.S. water engineers to work collaboratively with international partners and overcome barriers and challenges that limit availability of safe and affordable water. Participating institutions include two U.S. Universities (Louisiana State University and Michigan State University) and their colleagues from the University of Montpellier and the European Institute of Membranes in France. Each year of the program, U.S. students will travel to Montpellier to engage in collaborative projects that bridge and leverage the unique resources and expertise of the U.S. PIs and their foreign collaborators. The collaborative effort takes the advantage of the complementary skill sets in two areas of sustained scientific interest and relevance for environmental engineering practice: photochemical processes and membrane separations. Projects focus on these two interlocking themes to yield research synergies and enrich student experience by illustrating the value of collaboration and the inherently interdisciplinary nature of modern environmental engineering. IRES foci include:

1. Photo-catalyzed degradation of pharmaceuticals in hospital wastewater
2. Novel UV-LED technology for photocatalytic wastewater treatment
3. Photocatalytic membranes for inactivation of viruses
4. Natural coagulants for water treatment
5. Human capacity building through global exchange activities

The first four are student research projects and the fifth is a set of sharing activities focused on developing global competencies and best practices such as laboratory safety and research ethics. Summer undergraduate research programs at LSU and MSU are leveraged to encourage the engagement of underrepresented groups into the IRES project, initiate students into research topics and provide them with necessary pre-departure training in our laboratories. The recruitment strategy aims to remove socio-economic hurdles for students who have not had similar international experiences in the past. The project leverages the extensive international network of French colleagues to further broaden international experiences for U.S. students.

Principle investigators (USA)

• Dr. Samuel Snow, Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, LSU
• Dr. Volodymyr Tarabara, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MSU

Partner University researchers (France)

• Dr. Loubna Atfane, University of Montpellier
• Dr. André Ayral, Professor, University of Montpellier, European Institute of Membranes
• Dr. Marc Cretin, Professor, University of Montpellier, European Institute of Membranes
• Dr. Geoffroy Lesage, Associate Professor, University of Montpellier
• Dr. Marc Heran, Professor, University of Montpellier
• Dr. Julie Mendret, Associate Professor, University of Montpellier, European Institute of Membranes
• Dr. Matthieu Rivallin, Associate Professor, National School of Chemistry Montpellier, European Institute of Membranes
• Dr. Stéphanie Roualdès, Assistant Professor, University of Montpellier, European Institute of Membranes
• Dr. Lucie Sanchez, European Institute of Membranes
• Dr. François Zaviska, Assistant Professor, University of Montpellier

2023 IRES student cohort

• Open positions at MSU: link
• Open positions at LSU: link

Project alumni (2022 IRES student cohort)

• Sarah Anselmo, undergraduate student, Chemical Engineering, LSU
• Anne E. Lobitz, undergraduate student, Environmental Engineering, LSU
• Andrea J. Martinez, MS student, Environmental Engineering, LSU
• Madeline Robison, MS student, Environmental Engineering, MSU
• Andrea Vera, MS student (joint BS/MS program), Environmental Engineering, MSU

Project affiliates (current)

• Atef Choudhury, Undergraduate research assistant, Honors College Research Scholars Program, MSU

Project affiliates (past)

• Vincent Marinelli, Undergraduate research intern, Environmental Engineering, MSU
• Paola M. Urbina Ramos, 2022 MSU REU student, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
• Dr. Xunhao Wang, 2022 PhD, Environmental Engineering, MSU

 

Project 1. Photo-catalyzed degradation of pharmaceuticals in hospital wastewater

under construction

 

Project 2. Novel UV-LED technology for photocatalytic wastewater treatment

under construction

 

Project 3. Photocatalytic membranes for inactivation of viruses

under construction

 

Project 4. Natural coagulants for water treatment

under construction

 

Project 5. Human capacity building through global exchange activities

under construction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal papers

		3.	Chevarin, C.; Wang, X.; Bouyer, D.; Tarabara, V. V.; Chartier, T.; Ayral, A. CFD-guided patterning of tubular ceramic membrane surface by stereolithograhy: Optimizing morphology at the mesoscale for improved hydrodynamic control of membrane fouling. J. Membr. Sci. Accepted. DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2023.121435
		2.	Murali, A.; Hillstead, K. D.; Wrobel, B. S.; Thomas, D. J.; Gonety, R.; Tarabara, V. V. Moringa oleifera-derived coagulants for water treatment: Floc structure, residual organics, and performance tradeoffs. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 29 (2022) 24381-24389. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19071-8
		1.	Wang, X.; Tarabara, V. V. Virus adhesion to archetypal fomites: A study with human adenovirus and human respiratory syncytial virus. Chem. Eng. J. 429 (2022) 132085. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.132085

 

Presentations

	6.	(Keynote) (Online/Zoom) Wang, X.; Tarabara, V. V. Virus separation for removal and detection: The role of virus adhesion. International Congress on Separation and Purification Technologies. Online. December 12, 2022
	5.	Wang, X.; Tarabara, V. V. Virus adhesion to archetypal membrane surfaces: Implications for virus removal in water treatment systems. 2022 Euromembrane conference, Sorrento, Italy, November 22, 2022.
	4.	Tarabara, V. V. Virus adhesion to archetypal membrane surfaces: Implications for virus removal and microbial safety of water treatment facilities. Seminar at the Singapore Membrane Technology Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, September 28, 2022.
	3.	Wang, X.; Tarabara, V. V. Virus adhesion to membrane materials: Implications for virus removal in water treatment systems, Seminar at Institut Européen des Membranes, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France, June 20, 2022.
	2.	(Keynote) Wang, X.; Dang H. T. T.; Tarabara, V. V. Virus adhesion to archetypal fomites: Implications for surface-mediated transmission of viruses. 2021 ACS Fall national meeting, Atlanta, GA, July 23, 2021.
	1.	(Online/Zoom) Wang, X.; Dang H. T. T.; Tarabara, V. V. Virus adhesion to archetypal fomites: Implications for surface-mediated transmission of viruses. International Conference "Materials for Humanity”, Singapore, July 6, 2021.

 

Poster presentations

	5.	Martinez, A.; Maghsoodi, M.; Snow, S. D. Characterizing and modeling the parameters governing regrowth and photorepair of Escherichia coli after UVC irradiation. Poster presented at the 2022 International Ultraviolet Association Americas Conference, Cincinnati, OH, September 2022.
	4.	Urbina Ramos, P. M.; Wang, X.; Tarabara, V. Evolution of surface energy of PVDF membranes in intermittent exposure to foulants and cleaning agents. Poster presented at 2022 Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research Experiences (Mid-SURE), East Lansing, MI, July 27, 2022.
	3.	Wang, X.; Tarabara, V. V. Understanding adhesion to monitor and control environmental processes: From virus detection to membrane fouling mitigation. Poster presented at 2022 Engineering Graduate Research Symposium, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, April 14, 2022.
	2.	Wang, X.; Marinelli, V.; Beuther, S.; Tarabara, V. Quantifying fouling and cleaning cycles on membrane surface chemistry. Poster presented at 2022 University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, April 8, 2022.
	1.	Beuther, S.; Wang, X.; Tarabara, V. Cleaning by bleach makes filtration membranes more hydrophobic: Evidence from surface energy measurements. Poster presented at 2021 Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research Experiences (Mid-SURE), East Lansing, MI, July 28, 2021.

 

Outreach publications and events

	5.	Tarabara, V. V. Microbial forensics: Tracking surface-associated viruses to protect public health. Seminar at the International Laboratory for Learning, IUT Montpellier – Sète, Montpellier, France. June 21, 2022.
	4.	(Online/Zoom) Tarabara, V. V. Викладання основ академічної етики як один з аспектів підготовки аспірантів для дослідницької роботи: Досвід інженерного коледжу у США (Responsible Conduct of Research training for graduate students in Engineering: A U.S. perspective). International Scientific and Technical Conference “Information Technology in Metallurgy and Machine Building”, May 18, 2022.
	3.	(Online/Zoom) Tarabara, V. V. Faculty-led case studies of promising practices in international STEM education. Workshop “Internationalizing STEM Education for Broader Impacts: Promising Practices and Tools for Assessment”, MSU, October 27, 2021.
	2.	(Online/Zoom) Tarabara, V. V. Microbial forensics: Tracking surface-associated viruses to protect public health. Webinar. Water Quality Virtual Institute, Institute for Global Health, MSU, October 26, 2021.
	1.	(Online/Zoom) Tarabara, V. V. Water purification by synthetic membranes. Seminar given to student participants of the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program "Cross-disciplinary research in sustainable chemistry and chemical processes", Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, June 16, 2021

2022 visit

 

A little bit of history