Azmat Naseem

Affiliation

UMBC

Track

Biography

I am a second-year PhD student in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, specializing in pollutant dynamics and remediation. My research focuses on the legacy contamination of the Christina River Watershed, aiming to close data gaps on the distribution, sources, and seasonal variability of pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and other contaminants of concern (COCs), in both surface water and sediment porewater. Using passive sampling techniques across multiple river segments, I measure freely dissolved concentrations to identify contamination hotspots and support targeted remediation efforts. Before joining UMBC, I earned a Master's degree from Michigan Technological University, where I studied factors influencing concentrations of organic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. I also contributed to the FAME (Fate and Management of Emerging Contaminants) project, a UK-India collaborative initiative, which sparked my interest in the fate and transport of emerging contaminants. Earlier, I worked as a Junior Research Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, focusing on wastewater contaminants. My current work integrates these experiences to enhance site-specific models and inform sustainable management strategies for the restoration of contaminated water bodies.