Abdelrasoul Research Group

Membrane Science & Technology Research Laboratory

Principal Investigator: Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul, P.Eng.

Laboratory Website: www.membranetech.ca

For more information about her Research Program, visit Abdelrasoul Dialysis

Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul research program focuses on solving the existing problems of hemodialysis systems needed for kidney failure patients. I aim to create hemodialysis membranes that are more compatible with the human body than current membranes, and therefore reduce patient suffering and increase life expectancy.

Dr. Abdelrasoul research projects focus on modelling, simulating, designing, developing, and synthesizing novel evolutional membranes with an advanced customized morphology and enhanced biocompatibility that can pave the way for new frontiers in the following areas:
-Biomimetic and bioinspired membranes for hemodialysis and other biomedical applications.
-Optimal membrane technologies for water and wastewater treatment, and the multiplicity of usage scenarios for various applications, including ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, forward osmosis and reverse osmosis membranes.
-Innovative membrane technologies for separation, purification and recovery.
-Multifunctional nanomaterials, advanced nanocomposite and mixed‐matrix membranes.

Meet Dr. Abdelrasoul at Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) at Meet the Researcher

Abdelrasoul Research Group (Fall 2018)

Abdelrasoul Research Group (Fall 2018)

University of Saskatchewan, Engineering Building 2D34

Graduate Students

Dr. Marwa Al Hassan

Marwa's photo

Dr. Marwa Al Hassan holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology and has over 8 years of research experience. She is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, focusing on advanced cell and molecular biology experiments and lab management. Previously, she led the Biology Department at Beirut Annunciation Orthodox College and supervised labs at the American University of Beirut. Her research specializes in cell biology, with notable work on the effects of Sorafenib and metformin on cancer cells. Marwa is highly skilled in cell culture, working with both cancerous and normal cell lines, and has extensive experience in molecular biology techniques, including gene expression analysis and protein assays. She joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s research team to work on human kidney cells to support Dr. Abdelrasoul’s research goals for dialysis patients.

Shaghayegh Saadati, PhD

Shaghayegh Saadati, PhD, completed her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry at University of Kurdistan then, she received her M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry at University of Kurdistan in 2011. Then she pursued her graduate studies and the PhD degree in the field of Medicinal Chemistry at “Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services” in Tehran. Her research focused on design, synthesis & molecular modeling studies of new quinazolines and the evaluation of their cytotoxic influence. She joined Dr. Abdelrasoul research team as Visiting Researcher for her interest to apply her skills and knowledge to contribute in solving current health problems in dialysis.

Majak Mapiour (PhD Student)

Majak Mapiour joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s research group in 2021 as a Ph.D. student in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department at the University of Saskatchewan. He has completed a B.Sc. (Chemistry, 3yrs, 2007), a B.Sc. (Chemical Engineering with Biochemical Option, 2007), a M.Sc. (Chemical Engineering, 2009) at the University of Saskatchewan. He was awarded the NSERC Scholarship during his M.Sc. He also holds a P.Eng. designation after working in the mining, petrochemical, and oil & gas industries. His current research focuses on in situ investigation and modeling of membrane fouling in ultrafiltration of blood Using Synchrotron advanced techniques.

Simin Nazari (PhD Student)

Simin received a Bachelor of Science in pure chemistry from Tehran University and then moved on to Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz to pursue a Master of Science in organic chemistry. In 2012, she received her Ph. D. in Organic Chemistry from Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Simin went to Turkey as a visiting member at Istanbul Technical University and worked on the “synthesis of dithienothiophene and thiophene based organic materials”. Simin joined Dr. Abdelrasoul research group at the University of Saskatchewan as PhD Biomedical Engineering student for her strong interest in the biomedical field.

Hira Syeda

Hira Syeda, a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, investigates the interplay between membrane properties and epigenetic changes. She excelled in her bachelor’s degree in bioinformatics from Baqai Medical University (BIIT), securing first position, and pursued a master’s degree from Muhammad Ali Jinnah University. Her practical experience at Agha Khan Medical University, particularly with the ‘Emerging Infectious Disease Group,’ earned her the ‘Best Research Group Award’ at the 12th Health Sciences Research Assembly in December 2020. Hira’s research interests include homology modeling, data analysis, drug designing, and proteomic and genomic level analyses, aiming to advance understanding of complex biological systems and develop innovative biomedical solutions.

Heloisa Westphalen

Heloisa Westphalen completed her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco in 2017. She completed a Master of Applied Science degree at Ryerson University (2018). Her research focused on the application of membrane technology to industrial wastewater treatment using ultrasound-assisted fouling control. In 2019 she joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s Research Group as a Ph.D. student and her research goal is to contribute to the advancement of membrane technology.

Nakiya Pardawala

Nakiya

Nakiya Pardawala joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s research group in 2023 as a Master of Engineering student in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Saskatchewan. She received a Bachelor of Technology degree with distinction in Biomedical Engineering from SRM University, Chennai, India, in 2019. Additionally, she has two years of experience in the Indian intravenous diagnostics market. Due to her hands-on experience, she aims to apply her skills and knowledge to global health problems such as chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. Under the supervision of Dr. Abdelrasoul, she hopes to make a significant contribution to the ongoing research.

Research Assistants

Victoria Doan

Victoria Doan is an undergraduate student in the process of completing her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology. She aspires to pursue postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology. Victoria is currently working on an honours thesis project regarding minority stress. Her research interests include mental health disparities in marginalized populations (e.g., racialized groups, sexual and gender minorities) and barriers to equitable access of support services. She has joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s multidisciplinary research team to provide a psychological perspective. Her goal is to help raise awareness about the psychological impacts of hemodialysis on kidney disease patients and to gain a better understanding of how patients can be supported. Victoria aims to emphasize the importance of listening to patients about their lived experiences in order to identify priority concerns and improve their mental health outcomes.

NSERC CREATE UnLimited program Research Assistant

Braiden Ferguson

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Braiden Ferguson obtained a college diploma in Power Engineering from Medicine Hat College in 2020. After gaining experience in the field as a Power Engineer, Braiden decided to shift their career path towards a field that involves more direct engagement in helping others.Currently, Braiden is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in the Biomedical Sciences program with the ultimate aspiration of becoming a medical doctor. Braiden’s academic achievements have been duly acknowledged, as evidenced by receiving the 2023 NSERC CREATE UnLimited Program Award. Motivated by a strong desire to further develop his research skills, Braiden joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s team in 2023 with the aim of enhancing his capabilities in this area. He seeks to raise awareness about research advancements that have the potential to significantly improve the quality of care and standard of living for dialysis patients.

Research Internship International Students

Ana Karen Lopez Romo

Ana Karen López Romo is an 8th-semester chemical engineering student at the Universidad de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. Her academic journey is driven by a keen interest in mass transfer and kinetics. Ana recently participated in the XXVIII Summer of Scientific and Technological Research of the Pacific, contributing to the project “Controlled Release of Ascorbic Acid from Biodegradable Polymeric Materials.” She has actively supported the research community in the chemical engineering laboratory and is currently collaborating with Dr. Abdelraosul’s group on novel membrane synthesis.

Keerthana Sunil

Keerthana

Keerthana Marottikkal Sunil is pursuing an Integrated BTech + MTech in Industrial Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. She excels in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, focusing on R&D for industrial applications. Keerthana is skilled in molecular dynamics simulations and computational chemistry, aiming to strengthen scientific foundations in Chemical Industries. She also has proficiency in C++, Python, and expertise in data science and machine learning. Currently, she contributes to computational studies on membrane interactions with Dr. Abdelrasoul’s group.

Salsabil Hadhri

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Salsabil Hadhri exemplifies a distinctive blend of analytical acumen, persistence, and precision in her approach to experiments and projects. With expertise in computer-aided modeling and simulation, she has achieved success in passing the national engineering exam and pursuing a major in Chemical Engineering. She has joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s group in 2023 to further expand her research knowledge and make valuable contributions to impactful discoveries. Her research focuses on advancing mixed matrix membrane materials using Synchrotron advanced techniques.

Amr Saad

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Amr Saad is a final year student at the National Engineering School of Gafsa in Tunis. With excellent multitasking expertise and a keen analytical mind, he excels at problem-solving. His academic background includes studying biology and chemistry during his foundational studies, followed by specializing in industrial chemical engineering with a focus on process engineering and organic chemistry. Amr has gained ample experience working with laboratory equipment and has acquired basic skills in modeling and simulation software. In 2023, he joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s group with the aim of contributing to innovative solutions and sustainable practices.

Mohammed Ali Saritala

Mohammed Mitacs CLS

Mohammed Ali Saritala is an undergraduate final-year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from Aligarh University in INDIA. With a keen interest in research work, he aspires to pursue postgraduation in emerging fields of Chemical Engineering such as Membrane Technology, Catalyst Deactivation, Industrial Flaring, and more. In 2023, Mohammed Ali joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s research group to gain valuable experience and knowledge in the fundamentals of research work, aiming to contribute to real-world problem-solving.

Abeba Tiru

Abeba

Abeba is currently a Chemical Engineering student at Marwadi University in India. She joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s research group in 2022 with the aim to contribute to solving real-world problems. Her project focuses on surface modifications of forward osmosis membranes.

Anubhab Patra

Anubhab

Anubhab is currently a student of BS-MS dual Chemistry degree program at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal. His research interest towards Organic Polymers started increasing from there onwards. He joined Dr. Abdelrasoul research group in 2022 to gain more experience about the advanced research methodologies in Chemical Sciences. His project focused on the synthesis of novel membrane materials.

Mohamed Ben Kmicha

Mohamed

With a passion for solving problems and curiosity to learn, Mohamed has sought a path to an engineering degree in Industrial Chemistry. He started his university studies at the Preparatory Institute for Engineering Studies of Bizerte (Tunisia), where he has obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology and Geology. Then passed the national engineering school entrance exams among the best in his country at the national engineering school of Gafsa in Tunis. He aims to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Tunis. He joined Dr. Abdelrasoul research group to develop new advanced skills. His project focuses on the synthesis of novel mixed matrix membrane materials.

Sishi Zhu

Sishi Zhu is currently studying the third year of Chemical Biology at Northwest Forestry University in China (CGPA: 92%). She has been awarded the Professional Scholarship consecutively for four terms. She is interested in joining first-line research laboratories since October 2019, to study the chemical transformation and synthesis of different biomaterials that mimic nature, and she was awarded for her excellence. Zhu joined Dr. Abdelrasoul research group in 2021 as an intern for her interest in membrane technology. Her project focuses on an in-depth assessment of different membrane morphology using Synchrotron imaging.

Gibrán Saúl Rueda Plá

Gibrán is currently studying the second to last semester of Chemical Engineering (CGPA: 92%). Along with his studies, he has participated in a research project with Dr. Yamir Bandala Solano, to analyze chemical structures using Gaussian. He is studying instrumental chemistry, since he is interested in characterizing materials. He joined Dr. Abdelrasoul group in 2019 to apply his knowledge to achieve his research goal in discovering and creating new knowledge.

Undergraduate Students

Dafne Ramierez

Dafne Ramirez is an undergraduate exchange student currently in her fourth year of studies in Chemical Industrial Engineering at Universidad del Valle in Guatemala (CGPA: 94.63%). Dafne is awarded with Canada’s ELAP Scholarship, she also won the 2022-2023 Global UGRAD Award for her leadership, commitment to community and academic excellence. In addition, Dafne is part of the Chemical Engineering Research Group at her home university; she joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s research group in 2022 to learn more about membrane technology and its applications in water treatment and biomedicine. Her project focuses on the development and synthesis of a Mixed Matrix Membrane (MMM) to enhance its performance.

Joseph Munoz

Joseph Munoz joined the Chemical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in September 2016. His interest centers around wastewater treatment. He joined Prof. Abdelrasoul’s group to contribute the ongoing research in her Membrane Science and Nanotechnology. Joseph is so passionate to find innovative solutions that could optimize the industry and solve environmental problems.

Srija Argumeedi

Srija

Srija Argumeedi is an undergraduate student (4th year) at the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department at University of Saskatchewan. She was awarded at the University of Saskatchewan in 2015 for her academic excellence. In addition, she received several awards for demonstrating leadership in the community, including Youth in Philanthropy Award (2014), Federated Limited Scholarship (2015), and Russell Memorial Award. (2018). She joined Dr. Abdelrasoul group in 2018 for her interest in nanomaterials. She aims to contribute to the ongoing research, to solve health and environmental problems.

Volunteering Students

Jumanah Bahig

Jumanah Bahig is a 4th year kinesiology student who joined Dr. Abdelrasoul’s team as a volunteer research assistant for her passion for improving patients’ lives and gaining knowledge about medical research. She is a bilingual interviewer in the Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research at University of Saskatchewan.

Spencer Dmytruk

Spencer

Spencer Dmytruk is a fourth year Kinesiology student at the University of Saskatchewan. He was awarded an NSERC USRA in 2023 and 2024 and aims to broaden his research experience through volunteering with Dr. Abdelrasoul’s team. Spencer is passionate about biomedical research because of its capacity to improve the lives of others.