Team
Training opportunities - please apply
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is important to the success of my research group. Individuals interested in pursuing graduate studies (or as undergraduate assistants) are encouraged to contact me (kelvin.ng@uregina.ca). I specifically encourage underrepresented groups in STEM field to join my research group, including but not limited to visible minorities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, Black people, Indigenous people, and persons with disabilities.
Arash Gitifar
PhD student (Sept 2023-present).
Arash Gitifar is a PhD student at the University of Regina. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran. He decided to pursue his graduate studies at a reputable university. He has published four papers (one journal article written in English, two journal articles written in Persian and one conference article written in English) and worked on various projects as co-author so far. His passion for research, driven by involvement in multiple projects, guided him toward this academic path. He enjoys playing online games and watching technology-related videos in his free time.
Prety Debnath
PhD student (Jan 2025-present).
Prety Debnath has completed her B.Sc. and M.S. in Environmental Science from University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. She has published her undergraduate project in Heliyon journal entitled “Drinking water quality of Chattogram city in Bangladesh: An analytical and residents' perception study”. Her M.S. thesis topic was on surface water quality of Bancharampur upazila in Brahmanbaria district, Bangladesh. After completing post-graduation she joined at a multinational company in sustainability department. There, she has worked on Science based Target Initiatives (SBTi), solar project, zero release of microfiber project. She is interested to research in wastewater treatment, solid waste management and environmental sustainability.
Chidiebere Kelvin Udeorji
PhD student (Jan 2025-present).
Chidiebere Kelvin Udeorji is an academic specializing in soil and water engineering within Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering. He earned his first degree with distinction from Imo State University in 2012, focusing on the bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil using Chromolaena odorata leaves and sawdust. In 2019, he completed his second degree in Water Resources Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Owerri. Since 2014, Udeorji, has held roles as Graduate Research Assistant, Assistant Lecturer, and currently as Lecturer II at Imo State University, with research interests in water quality management, and environmental sustainability.
Fahima Islam Triptee
PhD student (Jan 2025-present).
Ms. Fahima is an environmental researcher specializing in soil, water, and environmental science. Before coming to U of R, she’s held BSc in Soil, Water, and Environment and MSc in Environmental Science from Dhaka University in Bangladesh. With experience in collaborative research on waste management, pollution control, and sustainability; she is passionate about solving critical environmental issues. Through her Ph.D., she aims to contribute to global environmental sustainability and create a better future for generations.
Sharmin Jahan Mim
MASc student (May 2023-present).
Sharmin Jahan Mim joined the University of Regina as a Master's student in Environmental System Engineering. She pursued her bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Before coming to Regina, Sharmin worked for the Oil and Gas industry in a project management, planning, research, and development role. She was involved in developing and implementing sustainable strategies to minimize long-term environmental liabilities for various projects. She is enthusiastic about contributing to the existing environmental issues in industries through her research focusing on improved waste management systems.
Rumpa Chowdhury
MASc student (May 2023-present).
Rumpa Chowdhury completed her graduation in Civil Engineering with a major in Environmental Engineering from BUET, Bangladesh. She has five years of teaching experience in Civil Engineering at a top-ranked private university in Bangladesh which has boosted her knowledge and teaching skills and led her toward a challenging, growth-oriented, and leading-edge career. She has hands-on research experience in working with fly ash from medical waste incineration and successfully stabilizing it into cement mortars and flexible pavement. Her fascination with solid waste management brought her to the U of R, where she is enrolled in the MASc program in Environmental Systems Engineering. She is deeply interested in new research and growing technologies, especially in solid waste management, waste stabilization, water and wastewater treatment, air pollution, and machine learning approaches.
Anika Tahsin Abha
MASc student (Sept 2023-present).
She completed her Bachelor’s in civil engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 2019. Then she worked as a researcher in a government project supervised by BUET where her main responsibilities were structural analysis, detailing, preparing survey reports and preparing AutoCAD layouts. She is interested in solid waste management and sustainable recycling processes. She intends to implement her research work in optimizing industrial processes. Outside academia, she likes to travel, explore new cultures and have long walks.
Patience Adjo Darko-Budu
MASc student (Sept 2024-present).
Patience obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Her undergraduate thesis was "Suitable Sites for Integrated Composting and Recycling Plant in the Greater Kumasi, Ghana." Before coming to Regina, Patience worked as an Environmental Officer at AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mines, Ghana, where she aided in conducting environmental monitoring activities for air, water, blast and meteorology. Her research interests are solid waste management, air pollution, and wastewater treatment.
Md Shahreer Jamil
MASc student (Sept 2024-present).
Md Shahreer Jamil pursued his BSc in Civil Engineering from BUET. After graduation, he completed a Govt. funded project as researcher related to wet weather maintenance technique of roads using PMB. Later he joined as a Research Officer (Technical) in a project funded by Bangladesh Climate Change Trust which is related to use of waste poleythene and other waste polymers for sustainable road development. These projects motivated him to pursue his future in solid waste management. He also has more than 4 years of teaching experience at a reputed private university of Bangladesh. His focus is on best use of solid waste, its management and economics related to it.
Abul Hossain Nayan
MASc student (Sept 2024-present).
Abul Hossain Nayan joined University of Regina as a master’s student in Environmental Systems Engineering. He completed his bachelor’s in Leather Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET). During his bachelor’s, he worked on a research paper regarding heavy metals impact on soil, plants, and wastewater near the industrial area of Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh. This helped and motivated him to work on waste. Now he is very interested in research in solid waste management, wastewater treatment, and waste to energy conversion.
Amy Richter, PhD, PEng
Postdoctoral fellow (July 2023-present).
Dr. Amy Richter is a researcher in the field of Canadian solid waste management. She obtained her doctoral degree at the University of Regina, focusing on regionalized solid waste management systems. Amy currently works as a regulator with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. She is responsible for the oversight of regulated waste recycling programs in the province, as well as helping to deliver on a number of key commitments in the provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy. Dr. Richter's interests within the field of waste management range from optimizing waste management using GIS to improving recycling systems in Canada.
Nima Karimi, PhD, EIT
Postdoctoral fellow (September 2024-present).
Dr. Nima Karimi is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Regina, having previously held a similar position at the University of Alberta from 2022 to 2024. He completed his PhD in Environmental Systems Engineering in 2022 at the University of Regina under Dr. Ng's supervision, specifically focusing on sustainable solid waste management for Canada. His research focuses on developing innovative solutions for environmental challenges using tools such as machine learning, satellite imagery, and GIS. At the University of Alberta, he contributed to characterizing wildfire exposure and hazards to inform community protection planning. Dr. Karimi is dedicated to producing impactful research that enhances environmental protection and community resilience.
Hillary Adu-Darko
MEng student (May 2023-present).
In the year 2020, Hillary Adu-Darko graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Her Undergraduate thesis was focused on Screening of Municipal Effluent for Heavy Metals. Following graduation, she began working as an Environmental Programme Officer at the Environmental Protection Agency in Ghana (Ashanti Region), where Hillary developed an interest in managing and treating mining effluent as well as solid waste segregation and management.
Alumni
Graduate students, RAs, and PDFs
Graduate students, RAs, and PDFs completed their training under my supervision/co-supervision:
Dr. Nima Karimi, "Siting of deep geological repositories (DGRs) in Saskatchewan", Postdoctoral Fellow (Sept - Dec 2024)
Ms. Anica Tasnim, "Integrating stewardship and resource recovery: A dual-faceted analysis of e-waste and used oil management practices of Canadian provinces", MASc thesis (Nov 2024)
Ms. Tahlima Tasnim Sithi, "Contributions to the Ministry of Energy and Resources", MEng Coop (Aug 2024)
Mr. Farzin Naghibalsadati , "The Role of Modular Construction and BIM Technologies in Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste Management", MASc thesis (Aug 2024) - Nominated for Graduate Awards at University of Regina.
Mr. Sagar Ray, "Assessing construction and demolition waste generation rates using satellite imagery", MASc thesis (Mar 2024)
Mr. Mohammad Mehedi Hasan, "An evaluation on electronic waste management and product stewardship programs in North America", MASc thesis (Dec 2023)
Mr. Tanvir Shahrier Mahmud, "Effects of a global pandemic on the collection and disposal of municipal solid waste", MASc thesis (Apr 2023) - Nominated for Graduate Awards at University of Regina.
Ms. Rafsan E Jeenat, "Analysis of Paint Waste Management in Canada", MEng project (Apr 2023)
Mr. Kenneth Kwaaboadu Adusei, "Modeling of Municipal Waste Disposal Behaviors related to Meteorological and Astronomical Seasons using Recurrent Neural Network Models", MASc thesis (Aug 2022)
Mr. Monasib Ahmed Romel, "Forecasting Waste Volume and Identifying Barriers of Canadian Photovoltaic Waste Management", MASc thesis, co-supervised with Dr. G. Kabir (Aug 2022)
Mr. Derek Mensah, "Assessment of Waste Management System Efficiencies and Waste Business Characteristics of Canadian Provinces", MASc thesis (July 2022)
Dr. Nima Karimi, "Developing Canadian solid waste management system at a regional level with the integration of remote sensing satellite imagery, machine learning tools, and GIS network analysis", PhD thesis (Apr 2022) - Nominated for Graduate Awards at University of Regina.
Ms. Sanaalsadat Eslami, "Prediction of Waste Generation and Disposal Using System Dynamics Modeling", MASc thesis, co-supervised with Dr. G. Kabir (Dec 2021)
Mr. Abhijeet Ghosh, "Temporal and spatial analysis of landfills and transfer stations in Saskatchewan", MASc thesis (Dec 2021)
Dr. Hoang Lan Vu, "Application of machine learning approaches for prediction of municipal solid waste during COVID-19", Postdoctoral Fellow (Sept 2020-May2021)
Dr. Amy Richter, "Improving Data Driven Canadian Waster Management Policy Using GIS, Remote Sensing, and Other Advanced Techniques", PhD thesis (Apr 2021). Recipient of the President's Distinguished Graduate Student Award.
Mr. Damien ErnSyl Jon Bolingbroke, "Using Waste Diversion Indicators To Understand The Diversion Efficiency and the Materials Handled Efficiency of Canadian Solid Waste Management Systems", MASc thesis (Apr 2019)
Dr. Hoang Lan Vu, "Advanced numerical modeling techniques for Modern Waste Management Systems", PhD thesis (Dec 2018)
Mr. Senthuran Surendran, "Life cycle assessment of the use of beverage containers on cruise ships", MEng project (Dec 2018)
Ms. Conglian Pan, "Hydrochemical Assessment and Modelling of Groundwater Quality of an Urban Aquifer near a Sanitary Landfill", MASc thesis (Aug 2018)
Ms. Amy Richter, "Investigating the Nova Scotia Waste Management Model: Business and Financial Aspects", MASc thesis (Aug 2017)
Mr. Nathan Bruce, "Seasonal k and Independent Carbon Dioxide Approaches For First Order Decay Landfill Gas Modelling", MASc thesis (Dec 2016)
Ms. Aklima Zerin Asha, "Analysis and Comparison of Solid Waste Management Systems and Diversion Practices in Alberta and British Columbia", MASc thesis (Dec 2015)
Ms. Asma Akter Chowdhury, "An Analysis on Non-hazardous Waste Diversion and Recycling Trends in Ontario, Canada", MEng project (Aug 2015)
Mr. Rajesh Shrestha, "Ontario Waste Recycling Policies and Programs on MSW Management", MEng project (Aug 2015)
Ms. Meherun Nesha, "Design Principles and Regulatory Requirements for Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Gas Extraction and Leachate Collection Systems in Western Canada", MEng project (Apr 2015)
Ms. Yu Wang, "Non-hazardous Waste Generation Characteristics and Recycling Practices in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada", MEng project (Dec 2013)
Dr. Asha Srinivasan, "Removal of oil from water using fungal biosorption", PhD thesis, co-supervised with Dr. T. Viraraghavan (Jan 2012)
Mr. Muhammad Azam, "Land Applications of Bio-solids", MEng project, co-supervised with Dr. Y-C Jin (Sept 2011)
Mr. Khalid A. Zeinelabdin, "The Use of Electrical Conductivity Surveys for Long Term Monitoring of Saskatchewan Highway", MEng project, co-supervised with Dr. Y-C Jin (Jun 2011)
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Ms. Preeti Kumari, B.I.T. Sindri, India. Mitacs GRI Project ID 29638, "Modeling of municipal solid waste generation during COVID-19" (05-07/2023)
Ms. Amal Ben Abdallah, National Engineering School of Monastir, Tunisia. Mitacs GRI Project ID 20901, "Quantification of clothes and textile wastes generation and recycling behaviors" (06-08/2022)
Ms. Rihab Ben Amor, National Engineering School of Monastir, Tunisia. Mitacs GRI Project ID 20901, "Quantification of clothes and textile wastes generation and recycling behaviors" (06-08/2022)
Ms. Meriem Meskini, Mediterranean School of Business, Tunisia. Mitacs GRI Project ID 20901, "Quantification of clothes and textile wastes generation and recycling behaviors" (06-08/2022)
Mr. Mayank Singh, Delhi Technological University, India. Mitacs GRI Project ID 23621, "Modeling of municipal solid waste generation during COVID-19" (07-09/2021)
Ms. Zeineb Behi, Ecole National d’Ingénieur de Monastir, Tunisia. Mitacs GRI Project ID 17133, “"Smart campus and solar intensity assessment" (06–08/2019)
Ms. Yitong Chen, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China. Mitacs GRI Project ID 17110, "Cigarette butts, the World’s number 1 litter" (07–09/2019)
Ms. Priscila Dickinson, University of Regina, "CB littering and designed smoking areas on campus" (06–08/2017)
Mr. Ivan Hue, University of Ottawa, "Cigarette butt litters and indoor smoking policy" (05–08/2016)
Ms. Amy Richter, University of Regina, "Diversion practices in Eastern Canada" (05–08/2015)
Ms. Rafaela Mayumi Kawata, University of Regina, "Solid waste management industry in Eastern Canada" (04–08/2014)
Mr. Penghui Dai, University of Regina, "Solid waste management industry in Western Canada" (05–08/2014)
Final-year capstone design project students
BASc students completed their capstone design projects under my supervision/co-supervision:
Ms. Josephine Craig Penner, Mr. Tommy Lien, Mr. Justin Peterson, "Pilot Project: Design of soil farm for Mosaic Belle Plaine" (in 04/2022). Recipients of the 2022 RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award.
Ms. Aimen Ejaz, Ms. Anukaranjit Bharthi, Ms. Ayesha Zahid, Ms. Tinsae Alemu, "Designing a compost system using styrofoam" (04/2021). Recipient of the 2021 RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award.
Mr. Mauz Asghar, Mr. Jungtaek Lee, Mr. Jay Ramler, Mr. Ghebrehiwet Zeremariam, "Design of a Conceptual Water Distribution System for the Village of Meath Park" (04/2020). Recipient of the 2020 RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award.
Mr. Matthew Bachelu, Mr. Bryan Kelly, Mr. Ethan Reoch, “Highway 2 Passing Lane Warrant and Design” (04/2019)
Ms. Nicole Cripps, Mr. Brady Eurich, and Mr. Brett Thomas, "Utilizing Landfill Waste Heat as a Heat Source for a City of Regina Facility" (04/2019). Recipient of the 2019 RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award.
Mr. Kelly Kovach, Mr. Romana Anmoaldeep, and Mr. Harley Barrett, "Sustainable Alternative Daily Cover for the City of Regina Landfill" (04/2018)
Ms. Keneni Debia and Mr. Jaime Cabrera-Melendez, "Feasibility study on anaerobic digester at Regina landfill" (04/2018) – a joint project with ISE (Students: Ms. Jasmyne Barton and Mr. Brennan Nguyen; Supervisor: A. Aroonwilas). Recipient of the 2018 Regina Engineering Society Project Day Award.
Mr. Dane Bueckert and Mr. Justin Baril, "Determining feasibility of small-scale methane bioreactors" (04/2017)
Mr. Brandon Purdue, Mr. Parker Shupe and Mr. Graem Johnston, "Placement and feasibility of Solar Powered Waste Disposal on University of Regina Campus" (04/2016). This project is selected and supported by the Sustainability and Community Engagement Fund, U of R.
Mr. Hussain Faris, Ms. Proyanka Kaura and Mr. Lee Mackenzie, "Study on Waste Plastics Processing and Treatment in the City of Regina" (04/2016)
Ms. Cristina Isaza-Villegas and Ms. Hebly Soraya Cushicondor, "Conceptual Design of a Dewatering Facility for Storm-water Residuals and Hydro-excavation Material for the City of Regina" (04/2016)
Mr. Penghui Dai, Ms. Camille Jensen, and Mr. An Zhang, "Placement and Design of Recycling Systems in Riddell Centre at University of Regina" (04/2015)
Mr. Pablo Jaramillo, Ms. Minsoo Cho, Mr. Andres Palma and Mr. Jeeshan Ahmed, "Design of the University of Regina composting system using a decision matrix" (04/2015). This project is selected and supported by the Sustainability and Community Engagement Fund, U of R.
Mr. Evan Adler, Ms. Sarah Hudson, Mr. Evan Bahr, and Mr. Chad Bosgoed, "Operational Design and Economic Analysis for the Expansion of BEST landfarm’s Compost Facility" (04/2014).
Ms. Megan Semeniuk, Ms. Hilary Steinbach, and Ms. Nicole Spencer, "Alternative Methods for Disposing of Horizontal Drilling Waste" (04/2014)
Mr. Nathan Bruce and Ms. Milagro Vaquerano, "Designing a Lab Section of ENEV 422" (04/2014)
Ms. Erica Klein and Mr. Nikolaus Felsing, "University of Regina Organic Waste Composting" (04/2013)
Mr. Ying Shi and Mr. Qun Gu, "Leachate Collection System Design for landfill of Regina" (04/2013)
Mr. Ferozuddin Azizi and Mr. Kun Guo, "Design of a curbside recycling program for the City of Regina" (04/2013)
Mr. Damien Bolingbroke, Mr. Reid Lustig and Mr. Levi Paul, "Design of a Food waste composter at the RCMP Repot" (04/2012)
Mr. Yongzhe Yang and Mr. Yao Zhao, "Design of a Versatile Weighting System for Landfill Sites" (04/2011)
Mr. Matthew Stephenson and Mr. Kyle Grimard, "Modern Roundabout Design for Balgonie, Saskatchewan" (04/2011)
Ms. Brittany Fellner and Ms. Claire Amundsen, "Design Optimization of a community Gardens Composting System" (04/2011)
Ms. Na Ding and Mr. Zhuodan Feng, "Expansion of Regina Sanitary Landfill" (04/2010)
Mr. Mmoloki Masole and Ms. Chris Richards, "Integrated solid waste management model (ISWM) for the Education Building, U of R" (04/2010)
Mr. Xinren Chen, Mr. Xia Zhong, and Mr. Minfei Xiao, "Integrated Food Waste Management Plan at University of Regina" (04/2010)