Dr. Shams Ali Baig | Wastewater Treatment | Scientific Excellence Achievement Award

Associate Professor at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan.

Professional Profiles:

Education

Dr. Shams Ali Baig has dedicated himself to a robust academic journey, earning a diverse array of qualifications in environmental sciences and engineering. His educational milestones include a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences/Environmental Engineering from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China, completed in March 2015. This doctoral degree provided him with specialized knowledge and advanced research skills in environmental sciences. Prior to his Ph.D., Dr. Baig obtained an MS/M.Phil in Environmental Sciences/Sustainable Water Sanitation Health and Development from COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Pakistan, in 2010. This master’s degree focused on sustainable approaches to water sanitation, health, and development, laying a strong foundation for his expertise in these critical areas. Additionally, he holds an M.Sc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Peshawar, Pakistan, achieved in 2004, and a B.Sc in Chemical Sciences from the same institution in 2002. Dr. Baig’s academic journey began with a solid foundation in the sciences, including completing his F.Sc in Pre-Medical and SSC in Science from BISE Peshawar, Pakistan, in 2000 and 1998, respectively. Furthermore, he has enriched his expertise through specialized certificate courses in sustainable sanitation and drinking water, enhancing his contributions to the field of environmental science and engineering.

Professional Experience

Dr. Shams Ali Baig boasts an extensive professional experience spanning over thirteen years, encompassing national and international roles in development, academia, and research sectors. His expertise lies in various domains of environmental sciences, including sustainable drinking water supply, water treatment, environmental sanitation, and WASH initiatives. Dr. Baig has served in diverse capacities, demonstrating his versatility and leadership across different roles and organizations. Notably, he has held positions such as WASH Coordinator and Research Consultant with renowned international organizations like World Vision International and Save the Children USA, where he managed integrated water, sanitation, and health interventions in disaster-affected areas. His responsibilities included implementing household drinking water treatment systems, preparing project progress reports, and conducting need assessments and surveys for decentralized treatment technologies. Additionally, Dr. Baig has contributed to emergency WASH projects as a WASH Officer with Oxfam GB, ensuring compliance with minimum standards and coordinating with implementing partners. His extensive field experience also includes roles such as WATSAN Officer, Monitoring Officer, and Community Mobilizer, where he played pivotal roles in project planning, monitoring, and capacity building for water quality improvement initiatives. Currently, Dr. Baig serves as an Associate Professor at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan, where he imparts knowledge and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students in environmental sciences-related subjects and research projects. Through his diverse professional experiences, Dr. Shams Ali Baig continues to make significant contributions to environmental science research and sustainable development initiatives.

Research Interest

Dr. Shams Ali Baig’s research interests are broad and multifaceted, encompassing various aspects of environmental sciences with a focus on addressing pressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development. His expertise lies in developing innovative water treatment technologies to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water, exploring processes such as oxidation, adsorption, filtration, and nanotechnology. Additionally, Dr. Baig is deeply interested in climate resilience strategies for water management, aiming to mitigate the impacts of climate change on water resources and ecosystems. He is also dedicated to the development of decentralized and climate-resilient water and wastewater treatment technologies suitable for diverse settings. Moreover, Dr. Baig’s research agenda includes efforts to control environmental pollution from industrial, agricultural, and urban sources, with a focus on protecting ecosystems and human health. His research aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, as he strives to contribute to achieving universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Through his diverse research interests, Dr. Shams Ali Baig demonstrates a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting environmental sustainability on both local and global scales.

Award and Honors

Dr. Shams Ali Baig has received recognition and honors for his significant contributions to environmental sciences, spanning a career of dedication and excellence. Notably, he was awarded the IPEG (Middle East Chapter) Organizing Committee Award in 2018, acknowledging his pivotal role and active engagement within the International Pediatric Endosurgery Group. Additionally, Dr. Baig has been the recipient of multiple Outstanding Performance Awards, underscoring his exceptional achievements and impact in his field, both nationally and internationally. His research excellence has been further acknowledged through various accolades, reflecting his commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in environmental science research. Furthermore, Dr. Baig has been honored with Best Presenter Awards at numerous conferences and symposiums, highlighting his expertise in environmental sciences, water treatment technologies, and sustainable development. Throughout his academic journey, he has garnered academic awards and distinctions, illustrating his academic prowess and unwavering dedication to research and learning. These awards and honors serve as testament to Dr. Shams Ali Baig’s exemplary contributions to environmental sciences and inspire him to continue his pursuit of excellence in research and academia.

Research Skills

Dr. Shams Ali Baig possesses a diverse array of research skills cultivated over years of experience and academic training in environmental sciences. His proficiency spans various facets of research methodology, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With expertise in experimental design, Dr. Baig adeptly formulates robust research designs to investigate environmental phenomena and test hypotheses effectively. He demonstrates skill in collecting and analyzing field data, laboratory measurements, and survey responses, employing statistical techniques and software tools to derive meaningful insights from complex datasets. Additionally, Dr. Baig conducts comprehensive literature reviews to stay abreast of current research trends and synthesize existing knowledge, informing his own research investigations. Adept at interdisciplinary collaboration, he engages with experts from diverse fields to address complex environmental challenges from multiple perspectives. Moreover, Dr. Baig excels in grant writing and proposal development, effectively communicating the significance and methodology of his research to secure funding. His strong publication record and dissemination efforts underscore his commitment to advancing environmental science through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and academic forums. With proficiency in project management, critical thinking, and problem-solving, Dr. Shams Ali Baig exemplifies a dedication to conducting high-quality research and contributing to the understanding and mitigation of environmental issues.

Publications

Efficacy and mechanism of enhanced Sb(V) removal from textile wastewater using ferric flocs in aerobic biological treatment
- Authors: Zhang, S., Baig, S.A., Xu, X.
- Journal: Chemosphere
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 357
- Citations: 0
Occurrence of selected antibiotics in urban rivers in northwest Pakistan and assessment of ecotoxicological and antimicrobial resistance risks
- Authors: Shams, D.F., Izaz, M., Khan, W., Tawab, A., Baig, S.A.
- Journal: Chemosphere
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 352
- Citations: 0
Insights into the effects of pyrolysis parameters on biochar synthesis from green wastes and its As(III) removal efficiency
- Authors: Hayat, Z., Baig, S.A., Shams, D.F., Xu, X., Danish, M.
- Journal: International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 21(1)
- Pages: 895–908
- Citations: 1
Comparative Sb(V) removal efficacy of different iron oxides from textile wastewater: effects of co-existing anions and dye compounds
- Authors: Zhou, C., Wan, L., Lou, Z., Baig, S.A., Xu, X.
- Journal: Environmental science and pollution research international
- Year: 2023
- Volume: 30(57)
- Pages: 120030–120043
- Citations: 1
Application of sintered textile sludge as novel adsorbents for Sb(V) removal from textile wastewater: Performances, mechanisms and perspectives
- Authors: Wan, L., Wu, S., Luo, C., Lou, Z., Baig, S.A., Xu, X.
- Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production
- Year: 2023
- Volume: 425
- Page: 138998
- Citations: 3
Multifunctional alkali-modified biochar-nPd/Fe composites for enhanced removal of 2,4-D: Preparation, characterization, and mechanism
- Authors: Zhou, H., Hu, S., Huang, N., Baig, S.A., Wang, J.
- Journal: Applied Organometallic Chemistry
- Year: 2023
- Volume: 37(11)
- Page: e7274
- Citations: 0
Contamination level, source identification and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in drinking water sources of mining and non-mining areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Authors: Bhatti, Z.I., Ishtiaq, M., Khan, S.A., Din, Z.U., Khan, A.
- Journal: Journal of Water and Health
- Year: 2022
- Volume: 20(9)
- Pages: 1343–1363
- Citations: 12
Integrated green complexing agent and biochar modified nano zero-valent iron for hexavalent chromium removal: A characterisation and performance study
- Authors: Zhou, H., Ma, M., Zhao, Y., Ye, M., Baig, S.A., Wang, J.
- Journal: Science of the Total Environment
- Year: 2022
- Volume: 834
- Page: 155080
- Citations: 30
Assessment and Impacts of Air Pollution from Brick Kilns on Public Health in Northern Pakistan
- Authors: Subhanullah, M., Ullah, S., Javed, M.F., Mohamed, A., Sajjad, R.U.
- Journal: Atmosphere
- Year: 2022
- Volume: 13(8)
- Page: 1231
- Citations: 10
Electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination of clofibric acid (CA) using Pd/Ni foam electrodes: The effects of Ni(OH)2 and complexing agents on electrode preparation
- Authors: Wu, S., Wang, Z., Wan, L., Baig, S.A., Xu, X.
- Journal: Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
- Year: 2022
- Volume: 915
- Page: 116358
- Citations: 5

Dr. Quinn Asena | Habitat Preservation | Excellence in Research

Postdoctoral Research Associate at Habitat Preservation, UW-Madison, United States

Dr. Quinn Asena is currently working as a post-doctoral research associate, which means they have completed their doctoral degree (Ph.D.) and are now conducting research under the supervision of more experienced researchers. In this role, Dr. Asena is focusing on developing and applying new statistical methods to analyze palaeoecological data. Palaeoecology is the study of past ecosystems, which helps us understand how ecosystems have changed over time in response to environmental factors. The specific aim of Dr. Asena’s research is to understand how ecosystems respond to environmental change, particularly abrupt changes. They are working on a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) called Abrupt Change in Ecosystems, which focuses on studying ecosystem responses to sudden environmental changes.

Professional Profiles:

Education:

Dr. Quinn Asena received their PhD from the University of Auckland, School of Environment in 2017. Their research focused on virtual ecological methods for generating pseudoproxy data to assess statistical inferences under data uncertainty. The PhD was supervised by George Perry and Janet Wilmshurst. Prior to their PhD, Dr. Asena completed an integrated Masters degree in Environmental Science at the University of York in 2012, where their research involved environmental monitoring using sensor networks and robotics. They achieved a first-class honors degree. Dr. Asena also has a background in music, having studied performance, composition, and musical theory at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where they received multiple competition awards. They are also a certified Carpentries instructor, able to host and assist in running workshops for the global digital skills community.

Professional Expereince:

Dr. Quinn Asena is currently a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working on an NSF grant project led by Jack Williams and Anthony Ives. The project involves developing state-space modeling methods to analyze paleoecological records for the Abrupt Change in Ecosystems project. Previously, in 2022 and 2021, Dr. Asena worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Auckland, conducting a bibliometric analysis on the topic of climate justice. They also worked as an Engagement Specialist at the Centre for e-Research in Auckland, engaging with researchers to provide advice and resources for their research compute needs, including technical skills for virtual machines (Linux, Bash, Slurm), high-performance computing, and version control.

Other Experience:

Dr. Quinn Asena has been an active member of the Neotoma Virtual Leadership Council, serving as the Early Career representative. In 2016, they contributed to literature review work for Associate Professor Andy Marshall in York, UK, although this work remains unpublished. In terms of volunteering, Dr. Asena has a diverse range of experiences. They volunteered as a NightSafe Volunteer at the University of York, participating in efforts to ensure student safety throughout the night in the City of York. Additionally, they were involved in science and outreach activities at the York Institute for Tropical Ecosystems, where they developed short films and interviews to showcase the institute’s work. Dr. Asena’s volunteering also extends to education, as they volunteered as an assistant in school teaching a range of sciences. They also completed a certified course in Flood Defences at the University of York, where their team won first place for designing a flood defence plan for the City of York. Furthermore, they have experience in media development, having filmed and edited a series of interviews of academics in the environment department at the University of York for open-day presentations.

Skills:

Dr. Quinn Asena possesses a range of skills including programming, high-performance computing, microscopy, ITRAX core scanning, and peat core preparation.

Publications:

Guidelines for reporting and archiving 210Pb sediment chronologies to improve fidelity and extend data lifecycle
- Author: Quinn Asena
- Journal: Quaternary Geochronology
- Year: 2019
- DOI: 10.1016/j.quageo.2019.04.003
Response to: Comment on “Peatland carbon stocks and burn history: Blanket bog peat core evidence highlights charcoal impacts on peat physical properties and long‐term carbon storage” by Evans et al.
- Author: Quinn Asena
- Journal: Geo: Geography and Environment
- Year: 2019
- DOI: 10.1002/geo2.78
Assessing the links between resilience, disturbance and functional traits in paleoecological datasets
- Author: Quinn Asena
- Journal: Past Global Change Magazine
- Year: 2018
- DOI: 10.22498/pages.26.2.87
Peatland carbon stocks and burn history: Blanket bog peat core evidence highlights charcoal impacts on peat physical properties and long-term carbon storage
- Author: Quinn Asena
- Journal: Geo: Geography and Environment
- Year: 2018
- DOI: 10.1002/geo2.63
Population viability analyses in New Zealand: a review
- Author: Quinn Asena
- Journal: New Zealand Journal of Ecology
- Year: 2018
- DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.42.32

Shams Ali Baig | Wastewater Treatment | Scientific Excellence Achievement Award