People
Paul Westerhoff
PhD in Environmental Engineering,
Director, Global Center for Water Technology (GCWT)
Dr. Paul Westerhoff is a Regents Professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at Arizona State University and the Fulton Chair of Environmental Engineering. He joined ASU in 1995 and in addition to numerous administrative leadership roles, he also is part of leading several major NSF and 1 State of Arizona research Centers. His research focuses on pollution in water, its significance, and technologies to improve water quality. work is published in over 450 journal papers, for which his team has received numerous research awards. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2023.
Email: [email protected]
Amin Mojiri
PhD in Environmental Engineering, MBA in Business Analytics
Project Lead, AzAWH Testbeds
Dr. Amin Mojiri is an Assistant Research Professor at Arizona State University. With expertise in environmental engineering, water treatment, and the integration of artificial intelligence for system optimization, he has over a decade of experience in both academic research and applied technology development. Mojiri’s work focuses on designing and evaluating atmospheric water harvesting systems that balance water yield, energy efficiency, and water quality requirements. His research spans laboratory studies, pilot-scale testbeds, and field deployments, connecting cutting-edge science with practical solutions for arid and semi-arid regions. He has published extensively on water treatment, emerging contaminants, and atmospheric water harvesting, and has also developed AI-driven frameworks for optimizing system performance. Through AzAWH, Mojiri leads collaborations with academia, industry, and government to accelerate the path from research to real-world impact.
Email: [email protected]
Shahnawaz Sinha
PhD in Environmental Engineering,
Dr. Shahnawaz Sinha is an Associate Research Professor at Arizona State University. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla), followed by a master’s degree in chemical engineering from University of Toledo and M.S. degree in environmental engineering from the University of Kansas (Lawrence). He received his doctorate in civil (environmental) engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder. After completing his doctorate, he spent next 17 years working in academia and industry as an environmental engineer, before joining ASU in Jan 2016. Prior to ASU, he was at the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). His primary area of research has been in the area of drinking water, water treatment plant optimization, water quality research, pilot-scale studies, seawater and brackish water desalination and industrial water treatment.
Email: [email protected]
Auppatham Nakaruk
PhD in Materials Science & Engineering,
Dr. Auppatham Nakaruk is an Associate Research Technologist at Arizona State University. With a profound background in materials characterization, thin film coating technology, and nano material synthesis, Nakaruk has developed a niche in applying advanced materials science to solve environmental challenges, particularly in wastewater treatment using nano metal oxides in both thin film and particle formats. He is an engineer who enjoys solving problems and finding practical solutions. He feels most satisfied when his work helps others. And as the saying goes—”trust me, I’m an engineer”.
Email: [email protected]
PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Science,
Dr. Daniel Salcedo Serrano is an environmental scientist with expertise in organic waste treatment, anaerobic digestion, and municipal wastewater management. His academic research includes developing inoculum strategies for industrial digesters, operating thermophilic batch-scale systems, and applying pyrolysis for green waste management and soil improvement. Beyond academia, he has managed wastewater treatment plant operations, focusing on sludge handling, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective system maintenance. Currently, he works with the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative on modular and adaptive water solutions for underserved rural communities.
Email: [email protected]
Student in Environmental Engineering,
My name is Lena Stratton and I am an Environmental Engineering major at ASU. I love to cook and bake and I also do weight lifting and tennis in my free time.
Email: [email protected]
Student in Environmental Engineering,
My name is Emma and I am an undergraduate studying Environmental Engineering at Arizona State University. While not in class or at the lab, I can be found reading, climbing, doing yoga, or cooking with friends.
Email: [email protected]
