Education
PhD Environmental Science, 2017
National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Pakistan
MS Environmental Science, 2012
National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Pakistan
Brief
Hira received her PhD degree in Environmental Sciences from National University of Science & Technology (NUST), Pakistan. Her research efforts have been focused on unraveling the mechanism driving biocake development during the membrane biofouling and retarding the biofilm formation through quorum quenching in the membrane bioreactor treatment systems that can provide tailored water quality, and extended membrane filtration cycle. Prior to her current position, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship from the Shantou University, China. Dr. Hira serves as a reviewer for various SCI journals including Water research, ES&T, Journal of Membrane Science, Chemosphere, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, etc.
Her recent research interest is to gain a better insight into the microbial ecology of nitrification (including ammonia oxidizing and nitrite oxidizing bacteria) and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Annamox) processes and the potential role of microbial signaling during cell-cell interactions of nitrifiers. She is exploring the correlation between quorum sensing and nitrogen cycling bacteria by considering the cutting-edge genomic tools to enhance the overall nitrification performance with lower retention time and better removal of nitrogenous pollutants.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending quality time with her family, and exploring new restaurants.
Awards, Honors, and Distinction
International Young Scientist award as PI from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) for 2021-2022.
Indigenous scholarship for PhD by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan from 2013-2017.
Fellowship for research work at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore HEC, Pakistan (2015-2016).
Best Oral Presentation award at The IIER International Conference” held at Jeju Island, South Korea in 2016.
Best Poster presentation award at 8th Conference on Challenges in Environmental Sciences and Engineering held at Sydney, Australia in 2015.