Graduate Students
Doctoral Students
Amer Hmidan - Structural Emphasis
Research Area
By way of finite element modeling and experimental testing the interaction between CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) sheets and concrete/steel beams is being investigated. Effects of fatigue loading and temperature susceptibility are under investigation as to their contribution to deterioration effects.
Advisor: Dr. Yail Jimmy Kim
Email: Amer.Hmidan@my.ndsu.edu
By way of finite element modeling and experimental testing the interaction between CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) sheets and concrete/steel beams is being investigated. Effects of fatigue loading and temperature susceptibility are under investigation as to their contribution to deterioration effects.
Advisor: Dr. Yail Jimmy Kim
Email: Amer.Hmidan@my.ndsu.edu
Anthony Waldenmaier - Transportation Emphasis
Research AreaThe study of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) for use in new flexible pavement projects. This includes investigation of physical and chemical properties for the development of strategies to utilize RAP in the pavement sub layers and the pavement surface.
Advisor: Dr. Magdy Abdelrahman
Email: Anthony.Waldenmaier@my.ndsu.edu
Suman Shrestha - Environmental Emphasis
Research Area
Humans and animals release natural estrogens as waste products. Synthetic hormones used for humans (e.g. hormone replacement therapy) and animals (e.g. to improve growth rates for cattle) also contribute to the environmental loading. These emerging contaminants are highly potent endocrine disrupter compounds (EDC's) capable to adversely affect aquatic organisms at parts per trillion concentration. Excretion of estrogens through urinary route in the conjugated form covers significant portion of total estrogen excretion. Although estrogen conjugates are considered innocuous, they may be readily deconjugated to form free estrogens. This research uses a radiotracer based approach to study fate and transformation of an estrogen conjugated to a glucuronide moiety (17b-estradiol-3-glucuronide) in a soil-water batch system.
Advisor: Dr. G Padmanabhan
Email: Suman Shrestha@my.ndsu.edu
Humans and animals release natural estrogens as waste products. Synthetic hormones used for humans (e.g. hormone replacement therapy) and animals (e.g. to improve growth rates for cattle) also contribute to the environmental loading. These emerging contaminants are highly potent endocrine disrupter compounds (EDC's) capable to adversely affect aquatic organisms at parts per trillion concentration. Excretion of estrogens through urinary route in the conjugated form covers significant portion of total estrogen excretion. Although estrogen conjugates are considered innocuous, they may be readily deconjugated to form free estrogens. This research uses a radiotracer based approach to study fate and transformation of an estrogen conjugated to a glucuronide moiety (17b-estradiol-3-glucuronide) in a soil-water batch system.
Advisor: Dr. G Padmanabhan
Email: Suman Shrestha@my.ndsu.edu
Harjyoti Kalita - Material Science and Nanotechnology Program
Research AreaThe prime objective of my research is the synthesis of biodegradable polymer coated nanoparticles for environmental and biomedical applications. Polysiloxane and soybean oil based amphiphilic polymers have been synthesized within this project. Biodegradation of these polymers and polymer coated nanoparticles are also tried.
Advisor: Dr. Achintya Bezbaruah
Co-advisor: Dr. Bret Chisholm
Email: Harjyoti.Kalita@my.ndsu.edu
Talal Almeelbi - Environmental Emphasis
Research AreaWater and wastewater phosphorus remediation using iron nanoparticles. Bare and surface modified nanoparticles are used in this project.
Advisor: Dr. Achintya Bezbaruah
Email: Talal.Almeelbi@ndsu.edu
Sharanya Shanbhogue - Environmental Emphasis
Research AreaGroundwater remediation applications using nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles and bacteria. This project aims at co-encapsulation of NZVI and trichloroethylene (TCE) degrading bacteria in alginate biopolymer for improved TCE remediation.
Advisors: Dr. Achintya Bezbaruah & Dr. Eakalak Khan
Email: Sai.Shanbhogue@ndsu.edu
Dhritikshama Roy - Environmental Emphasis
Research AreaPolydimethylsiloxane and other polymers are used in surface modification of nanoparticles for environmental remediation. Low molecular PDMS are biodegradable in a particular soil moisture condition; however, high molecular PDMS are non-biodegradable in both soil and water. Biodegradation of PDMS is tested for the research using both pure and mix microbial consortium. Work is also being done on the nitrification of ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA).
Advisors: Dr. Achintya Bezbaruah & Dr. Eakalak Khan
Email: Dhritikshama.Roy@ndsu.edu
Sita Krajangpan - Environmental Emphasis
Research AreaAmphiphilic polysiloxane graft copolymers (APGC) are used as surface modifier for nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) for groundwater remediation. A polysiloxane backbone is absorbed onto the NZVI surface with acrylic acid anchoring group and polyethylene glycol (PEG) is grafted onto the backbone to provide dispersibility. APGC promote higher colloidal stability of NZVI in aqueous suspension as compared to bare NZVI. Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Arsenic (As) are used as the model for groundwater contaminants for degradation studies using polymer coated NZVI.
Advisors: Dr. Achintya Bezbaruah
Email: Sita.Krajangpan@my.ndsu.edu
Masters Students
Garrett Brunell - Structural Emphasis
Research AreaBoth computer modeling with finite element analysis and experimental testing are being performed for structural rehabilitation of steel beams and trusses retrofit with composite materials. Two areas of research include; CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) sheets used for flexural strengthening of wide-flange beams and post-tensioned CFRP rods for rehabilitating damaged steel trusses.
Advisor: Dr. Jimmy Kim
Email: Garrett.Brunell@my.ndsu.edu
Fuad Khan - Structural Emphasis
Austin Lafromboise - Structural Emphasis
Research Area
The exact topic for research has not been decided yet.
Advisor: Dr. Jimmy Kim
Email: Austin.Lafromboise.1@my.ndsu.edu
The exact topic for research has not been decided yet.
Advisor: Dr. Jimmy Kim
Email: Austin.Lafromboise.1@my.ndsu.edu
Tom Schanandore - Structural Emphasis
Research Area
Present research includes the development of a smart composite laminate system for structural rehabilitation, based on piezoelectric actuators. Material-level experimental investigations are conducted with predictive modeling.
Advisor: Dr. Jimmy Kim
Present research includes the development of a smart composite laminate system for structural rehabilitation, based on piezoelectric actuators. Material-level experimental investigations are conducted with predictive modeling.
Advisor: Dr. Jimmy Kim
Doug Sharbono
Research Area
The study includes the structural behavior of low-rise buildings subjected to extreme load effects. Finite element modeling is a major research approach to address such behavior. Research results are expected to improve present code provisions.
Advisor: Dr. Jimmy Kim
The study includes the structural behavior of low-rise buildings subjected to extreme load effects. Finite element modeling is a major research approach to address such behavior. Research results are expected to improve present code provisions.
Advisor: Dr. Jimmy Kim
Daniel Bogart - Water Resources / Hydrology Emphasis
Research Area
Work is being performed on the effect of microtopography on the characterization of the hydrograph. Improved models of the partition between infiltration and runoff generation, flow path delineation and sink filling have given way to better accuracy in predicting hydrographs at the watershed's outlet. This study involves a scaled down look into the microcosm that is small depressions in their effect on the time to ponding, time of concentration and total excess rainfall.
Advisor: Dr. Xuefeng (Michael) Chu
Email: Daniel.Bogart@my.ndsu.edu
Work is being performed on the effect of microtopography on the characterization of the hydrograph. Improved models of the partition between infiltration and runoff generation, flow path delineation and sink filling have given way to better accuracy in predicting hydrographs at the watershed's outlet. This study involves a scaled down look into the microcosm that is small depressions in their effect on the time to ponding, time of concentration and total excess rainfall.
Advisor: Dr. Xuefeng (Michael) Chu
Email: Daniel.Bogart@my.ndsu.edu
Navaratnam Leelaruban - Water Resources Emphasis
Research AreaAnalysis of drought impact and severity using derived indices based on U.S. Drought Monitor data. Application of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing technique to validate the indices and display spatio-temporal variations of drought respectively. Study of drought –yield relationship using derived indices and county wide yield data.
Advisor: Dr. G. Padmanabhan
Email: Navaratnam.Leelaruban@my.ndsu.edu
Rabiya Shabnam - Environmental Emphasis
Research Area
This research is aimed at understanding the interaction of gram negative bacteria with nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles. The effects of NZVI on the growth of select bacterial species, Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739 & JM109) and Pseudomonas putida F1, are studied under different environmental conditions like temperature, stirring/shaking speed, presence of microbial nutrients, and the concentration of NZVI.
Advisor: Dr. Achintya Bezbaruah
Email: Rabiya.Shabnam@my.ndsu.edu
This research is aimed at understanding the interaction of gram negative bacteria with nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles. The effects of NZVI on the growth of select bacterial species, Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739 & JM109) and Pseudomonas putida F1, are studied under different environmental conditions like temperature, stirring/shaking speed, presence of microbial nutrients, and the concentration of NZVI.
Advisor: Dr. Achintya Bezbaruah
Email: Rabiya.Shabnam@my.ndsu.edu