Our group seeks to engineer platforms that enhance light transport and reactions for photon-driven water treatment. This includes using nano-enabled technologies for light-driven chemical transformations while optimizing hydraulics and optical paths of reactor designs. Recent research focuses on biofilm prevention and bacterial inhibition in tight channels using ultraviolet radiation and developing light-driven destruction methods for the removal of contaminants of concern (DBPs/PCPs) from drinking water. We work at the interface of basic science and industry to create innovative and green technologies applicable to today’s social and economic climate.
Dr. Mariana Lanzarini-Lopes is an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE) group. Through her appointment at UMass Amherst, Dr. Lopes seeks to innovate light-driven technologies for water treatment applications and educate diverse communities in STEM with a focus on water treatment and resources. Dr. Lopes obtained her bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton in 2015 with a minor in sustainability, energy, and the environment. She received M.S and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Arizona State University as part of the Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment Center. Prior to joining UMass Dr. Lopes was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. Lopes is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and has lived and worked in Ohio, Arizona, Colorado Zambia, India, and Dominica. Her international experiences taught her the importance of water quality and led her to devote her work to enhancing water treatment technologies. In her free time, Dr. Lopes enjoys hiking, climbing, and playing ultimate Frisbee.
Dr. Lopes has recently founded Optical Waters LLC, a women-owned small business that seeks to commercialize germicidal optical fibers (GOFS) to prevent infectious biofilm formation in tight channels such as water pipes and medical equipment.
https://cee.umass.edu/faculty/mariana-lopes
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-lanzarini-lopes-834b7555/
People in their own words
Leila Alidokht is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Lopes Lab. She holds a Ph.D. (2017) in Environmental Soil Chemistry from the University of Tabriz, Iran. Prior to joining the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Leila served as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Tabriz and a postdoctoral research fellow at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey. Leila’s major research interests include the removal of emerging contaminants, retention and transport of solutes in the porous matrix, ultraviolet disinfection, and biofilm prevention. Her research focuses on responsibly harvesting nanotechnology to advance safe and sustainable soil and water treatment. She is currently undertaking research on the prevention of biofilm formation from UV self-emitting substrate. Leila is interested in multi-disciplinary research and believes that teamwork multiplies the efficiency of any project. Her hobbies are sports, music, and movies.
Athira Haridas joined UMass Amherst as master’s student In Environmental and water resource engineering in Spring of 2023. She graduated with a bachelor’s in technology in Civil Engineering from Calicut University in 2018 and is exited to support the ONR project in Dr Lopes Lab. Currently Athira is focused on understanding wavelength specific benefits and mechanisms of biofilm prevention in drinking water and marine environment. Athira is from Kerala one of the Southern states of India. In her free time, Athira enjoys making Macrames (wall hangings by threads), cooking, and travelling. Athira is delighted to be part of the research team and looks forward to being in the lab with different projects in Environmental and water resource engineering.
Yue Sun (Sophie) is a PhD student with hands-on laboratory experience and problem-solving skills. While at UMass she has played different roles in diverse teams and projects while furthering her own independent research. Sophie is co-advised by Dr. Reckhow and Dr. Lopes. While working with Dr. Dave Reckhow, she focused on the study of DBP occurrence in different watershed as well as the treatment techniques to control the DBP formation. In project WRF5085 she tested the impact of five treatment scenarios, including coagulation, pre-O3, pre-ClO2, post-GAC and post-IX, on DBPFP and total toxicity control (stay tuned for her publications). She is currently working with Dr. Mariana Lopes to explored the DBP degradation and reduction of toxicity in water by UV irradiation with LEDs and side emitting optical fibers under different wavelengths. Additionally, she contributed significantly to WET center research where she explored in pilot scale the efficiency of electrochemical techniques to treat DBPs along with emerging contaminants including 1,4 – dioxane and PFAS.
Marieh Arekhi (her first name is pronounced as Maria) is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EWRE) group at UMass Amherst. She received her Ph.D. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from The University of Alabama in December 2022 and joined UMass Amherst in January 2023. Her Ph.D. research focused on fingerprinting and characterizing the fate of petroleum hydrocarbons after oil spills in coastal environments. Her research at UMass Amherst focuses on the effectiveness of radio frequency technology in water treatment. She is also interested in doing research on removing PFAS and disinfection by-products (DBPs) from drinking water using certain treatment processes and aspires to pursue this research as an active scientist in the field. Maria is from Bandar-e Torkman, Iran, and enjoys family time, traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends.
Muhammad Salman Mohsin (Salman) is a Ph.D. student in Environmental and Water Resources engineering. He completed his master’s in Integrated Water Resources Management in 2019 and his bachelor’s in environmental engineering in 2014. His doctoral studies focus on enhancing photon distribution and quantum efficiency of reactions in light-driven technologies. Salman is currently working on maximizing the output and efficiency of germicidal optical fibers for biofilm prevention in tight channels. In his spare time, Salman enjoys playing E-games, working out, and participating in sports like basketball and football.
Rich Rogers (on the right) is Ph.D. student in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering who will explore light-driven reactor design and performance for water treatment applications. He earned his master’s degree in environmental engineering and science at Stanford University in 2014 and his bachelor’s in civil engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2005. He is an active-duty Army officer who has instructed at the US Military Academy at West Point. While at West Point, Rich taught courses in physical and chemical treatment processes and environmental engineering for developing communities. Along with cadet and faculty researchers, he studied biological denitrification for low-cost wastewater treatment. Originally from the central coast of California, Rich has lived in Germany and Korea and worked in the Middle East. He enjoys family time (see picture), reading, and music.
Joshua Fiorentino is a Masters Student at UMass Amherst. Josh obtained his bachelors in Civil Engineering in 2023. He was born and raised in Groton, Massachusetts. Josh will be joining the lab starting in the fall of 2021. He is excited to gain research experience, assist graduate students with their work, and begin to conduct some independent projects on light-driven reactions. In his free time, Josh stays active by playing sports, especially volleyball, water polo, swimming, soccer, and spikeball. Josh is an active member of Engineers Without Borders and is on the UMass club water polo team. He is thrilled to be part of the research team.
Previous students and how they are making a difference in the water world
Kuhu accepted an engineering designer position with the BETA group in Norwood, MA.
Kuhu successfully defended her Master’s in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2023. While at UMass, Kuhu worked at the Water and Energy Technology (WET) Center to understand the effectiveness of Point-of-Use (POU) devices to remove PFAS from drinking water. She is involved with Graduate Women in STEM (GWIS) organization to inspire succeeding generations of Women to participate in STEM fields through community-led outreach activities. Kuhu graduated with her bachelor’s in technology in Chemical Engineering from Manipal University in 2019. As an undergraduate, she was an intern at Bhabha Atomic Research Center, enhancing the Cu-Cl Thermochemical cycle for Hydrogen Production as an alternative clean fuel. Before coming to UMass, Kuhu worked in the petrochemicals division of Reliance Industries Limited. Kuhu is from India and enjoys reading, painting, and cooking
Melisa Advic was the second undergraduate student to join the Lopes Lab. During her time in the lab she helped in many projects, and contributed to two manuscripts for which she is co-author (see publications page).
Since graduating from UMass, Melisa is currently working as a staff engineer at Woodard & Curran out of their Andover Office. She’s already been on a wide variety of projects since starting, some of which include working on lead service inventories, public outreach by creating a consumer confidence report, and general construction administration. Outside of work Melisa is working towards passing the FE to certify as an EIT.