Contact
Biography
Asma has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma State University (USA) with diverse experience in industry and academia across three countries. Her industry experience includes leading a cell culture team in the development of upstream processes for biotherapeutic production at Dr Reddy's Laboratories. During her academic career, Asma worked as Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus (India) and Senior Lecturer, then Reader in Industrial Biotechnology at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) before moving to the 糖心原创 in 2024.
Asma is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and an Associate Member of IChemE.
Expertise Summary
Asma's research focuses on developing biological processes for sustainable wastewater treatment, resource recovery, carbon capture, and circular bioeconomy applications. Her work combines environmental biotechnology and process engineering to convert industrial waste streams, emissions, and residual biomass into valuable products. Particular areas of expertise include biofilm-based wastewater treatment technologies, fungal bioprocessing, microalgal carbon capture, and waste valorisation.
Research Summary
Asma's research aims to develop circular biotechnologies that recover value from waste streams while supporting low-carbon and resource-efficient industrial systems.
- Biofilm technologies for industrial wastewater treatment and resource recovery
This research theme focuses on the development of biofilm-based processes for industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment, nutrient recovery, and waste valorisation. Current interests include biofilm function, process resilience, resource recovery, and the development of circular biofilm technologies for sustainable wastewater management.
- Fungal biotechnology for sustainable materials and proteins
This theme explores the use of fungal biofilms and mycelial systems for the production of sustainable biomaterials, alternative proteins, and other value-added bioproducts. Research spans process development, cultivation strategies, and the conversion of waste streams into high-value fungal products.
- Microalgal carbon capture and biomass valorisation
This theme investigates the use of microalgae for carbon dioxide capture and resource recovery. Research focuses on integrating carbon capture with wastewater treatment and the production of high-value compounds, while developing routes for the valorisation of residual algal biomass within circular bioprocessing systems.
Asma is a member of the Food, Water, Waste Research Group.
Past Research
Recently complete projects:
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Biosolubilisation and biomethanation of coal rejects: This project arose from the urgent need for a sustainable solution to treat coal washery wastes, which pose major environmental concerns. In collaboration with Ardee Hi-Tech, a coal beneficiation company, and co-funding from the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program, Government of India, a novel two-step microbial process capable of converting coal rejects into valuable methane fuel was developed.
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Biofilm-based treatment of industrial effluents: As part of an international collaboration funded by the Leverhulme Trust, my team developed a lab-scale biofilm-based process for treating wastewater from the paper and pulp industry. Furthermore, through collaboration with a materials science expert at BITS, India, this project has opened exciting avenues for exploring fungal biofilms grown on wastewater as sustainable and biodegradable materials with unique viscoelastic properties.
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Microalgal carbon capture in mushroom farms with subsequent valorisation of waste streams. This project was a collaboration with two external partners, AlgaeCytes Ltd (an algal biotechnology company) and Margate Mushrooms (a Community Interest Company, CIC). This work arose from the need to control the carbon dioxide levels in mushroom farms, without venting the gas to the atmosphere. A bicarbonate-based microalgal carbon capture system was developed for integration into mushroom farms. Extracts from spent algal biomass and spent mushroom substrate were found to exhibit promising properties for potential application as bio-based cosmetics.
Future Research
Enquiries from potential PhD candidates interested in the following research areas are welcome:
1. Development and characterisation of fungal biofilms grown on waste streams as sustainable biomaterials.
2. Development of an algal-mushroom biorefinery for carbon capture and generation of high-value products from spent biomass.
3. Mycoprotein production from the fungal fermentation of spent biomass.
Information on funding offered by the University and external sources can be found in the following links:
/pgstudy/funding/postgraduate-funding.aspx
/studywithus/international-applicants/scholarships/research-scholarships.aspx
/studywithus/international-applicants/scholarships/external-scholarships.aspx