Ms. Zahra (Mahsa) Khodabakhshi-Palandi | Wastewater Treatment | Young Scientist Award

Zahra (Mahsa) Khodabakhshi Palandi holds an MSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, with a focus on wastewater treatment and advanced oxidation technologies. Her research interests include environmental management, wastewater treatment technologies, microalgae cultivation, and biofuel production. Zahra has published in top-tier journals, such as Environmental Management and Bioresource Technology, with notable contributions on enhancing microalgae-based biofuel production and improving municipal wastewater treatment through the addition of trace elements like iron and zinc. She has also presented at international conferences in Finland, Germany, and Greece. Her technical expertise includes working with laboratory equipment like spectrophotometers and GC-MS, and she has mentored graduate and undergraduate students in her field. Currently a researcher at Babol Noshirvani University, Zahra is dedicated to exploring sustainable solutions for environmental challenges, combining her knowledge of biofuels, bioproducts, and wastewater technologies

Zahra (Mahsa) Khodabakhshi Palandi holds a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Iran, completed in 2022. Her master’s thesis focused on “The effect of trace elements on microalgae growth and wastewater treatment from municipal wastewater,” highlighting her expertise in environmental management and wastewater treatment technologies. Prior to this, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Mazandaran in 2018, where she conducted research on “Mathematical Modeling of Cake Filtration Using Filter Number & Experimental Verification” for her undergraduate thesis. Zahra’s academic journey has been marked by her strong interest in sustainability, biofuels, and advanced oxidation technologies, particularly in the context of environmental engineering solutions. Her education has equipped her with a solid foundation in both theoretical concepts and practical applications, preparing her for a successful career in environmental engineering and research.

Zahra Khodabakhshi Palandi is an emerging researcher with a strong professional background in civil and environmental engineering. Since June 2022, she has been a researcher at Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, where she focuses on data analysis and project execution related to microalgae-based wastewater treatment. She is also responsible for mentoring graduate and undergraduate students and has contributed to several technical papers. From 2019 to 2022, Zahra worked as a laboratory assistant at the same university, conducting experiments with advanced equipment like spectrophotometers and GC-MS, while also guiding student theses. Earlier in her career, from 2015 to 2018, she gained industry experience during a training program at Tarahan Asar Engineering Co., where she was involved in writing technical reports and collaborating with clients. Zahra’s diverse experience in academia and industry highlights her practical and research skills in environmental management and wastewater treatment technologies

Zahra (Mahsa) Khodabakhshi Palandi’s research interests center around environmental sustainability, focusing on advanced wastewater treatment technologies and renewable energy production. Her work explores innovative methods for treating municipal wastewater using microalgae, with an emphasis on improving wastewater bioremediation efficiency through the addition of trace elements such as iron and zinc. Zahra is also deeply involved in studying the cultivation of microalgae for biofuel production, aiming to optimize biomass yield and develop high-value bioproducts. Additionally, she is interested in the broader applications of environmental management practices, particularly those that integrate biological and chemical approaches to improve ecological outcomes. Her research holds potential to significantly advance sustainable energy solutions by combining wastewater treatment with biofuel generation, addressing key environmental challenges while contributing to the development of eco-friendly technologies for resource recovery and pollution reduction.

Awards and Honors