Members

Current Members

Doctorate Students

  • Eunice O Babatunde

    Eunice O Babatunde– Doctorate Student Researcher
    Email: moh21@txstate.edu
    LinkedIn: Eunice Babatunde
    Google Scholar: Eunice Omotolani Babatunde

    Bio: Eunice Babatunde is a dedicated civil engineer and researcher with a solid academic background and a passion for environmental sustainability. She earned her B.Eng in Civil Engineering from Covenant University, Nigeria, in 2018, followed by an M.Sc. in Engineering from Texas State University in 2023. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization at Texas State University, Eunice focuses on developing innovative water treatment solutions.
    Her research spans key areas such as water quality, wastewater treatment, and pollution remediation, with a particular interest in using biochar for environmental applications. Eunice is committed to addressing global water challenges by making affordable water treatment technologies available to municipalities and communities, especially those with decentralized water systems. Through her work, she hopes to enhance access to clean water, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

    Research Topic: Enhanced Vapor Extraction of Trichloroethylene (TCE) Using Engineered Biochar: Adapting Remediation Technologies for Climate Resiliency

  • Portia Agyemang

    Portia Agyemang– Doctorate Student Researcher
    Email: nkz17@txstate.edu
    LinkedIn: Portia Agyemang

    Bio: Portia Agyemang holds a Master of Science degree in Integrated Water Resources Management from Technische Hochschule Köln, Germany in 2024. She is equipped with comprehensive knowledge and skills in sustainable water management, addressing the complex challenges of water scarcity and quality. Portia is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization at Texas State University with a specialization in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, where she is expanding her research to bridge the gap between environmental science and engineering innovation. Her doctoral research centers on the development and application of advanced materials for hydrological and environmental protection, aimed at enhancing sustainability and mitigating environmental degradation.

    Research Topic: Assessment and implementation of suitable Low Impact Development (LID) technology for stormwater harvesting and treatment in Wilson historical district, Dallas-Texas.

Graduate Students

  • Prajwal Bhattarai

    Prajwal Bhattarai– Graduate Student Researcher
    Email- gfy16@txstate.edu
    LinkedIn: Prajwal Bhattarai
    Bio: Prajwal Bhattarai is a Graduate Research Assistant at Texas State University, pursuing a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and has two years of experience working in the mountainous regions of Nepal. His professional journey has fueled his interest in environmental engineering, focusing on sustainable infrastructure. Prajwal is passionate about advancing his expertise to tackle complex environmental challenges in civil engineering.

  • Felipe Farias

    Felipe Farias– Graduate Student Researcher
    Email- dop28@txstate.edu
    LinkedIn: Felipe Farias Alvarado
    Bio: Felipe Farias is a first-year master’s degree student in civil engineering at Texas State University. His current focus is on research in sustainable construction. He is working on a project related to pervious concrete and its impact in stormwater management, with an additional focus on remote sensing techniques.

  • Kindness E Etu

    Kindness E Etu: Graduate Student Researcher
    Email- axk12@txstate.edu
    LinkedIn: Etu Kindness
    Google Scholar: Kindness Emmanuel Etu
    Bio: Kindness Etu is a master’s student in Civil Engineering at Texas State University, with a deep passion for Environmental and Water Resource Engineering. Hailing from Nigeria, he brings expertise in sustainable design and a strong commitment to advancing sustainable water practices. His diverse academic background, combined with experience in Architecture and an interest in tourism, has enriched his understanding of water management across various regions. In his free time, he enjoys surfing through abstract concepts, reading, and researching innovative approaches to designing sustainable materials that help reduce pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. Kindness is particularly enthusiastic about developing and applying cutting-edge techniques for engineered pervious structures in his research.

Undergraduate Students

  • Pranesha Dangol

    Pranesha Dangol– Undergraduate Student Researcher
    Email: dzm17@txstate.edu
    LinkedIn: Pranesha Dangol
    Bio: Pranesha Dangol is an undergraduate student majoring in Civil Engineering at Texas State University. She is passionate about environmental sustainability and is eager to apply her research skills to address ongoing environmental challenges. During her internship at Idaho National Lab, she worked on the project focusing on characterizing biochar to enhance PFAS absorption. This experience has provided her with the opportunity to work with advance tool and devices. Pranesha is eager to leverage her acquired knowledge and experience to contribute meaningfully to future research projects. She is committed to advance in the field of environmental science, making a positive impact.

  • Bibek Paudel

    Bibek Paudel– Undergraduate Student Researcher
    Email: bibekp@txstate.edu
    LinkedIn: Bibek Paudel
    Bio: Bibek Paudel is an unndergraduate student at Texas State University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. At the HEDGE Lab, he focuses on developing sensor-based automation systems, including real-time data acquisition and control logic for environmental monitoring. With a strong foundation in programming and system integration, Bibek is excited to apply his skills to impactful research while learning through hands-on collaboration. 

  • Angely A Irizarry Chico

    Angely A Irizarry Chico- Undergraduate Student Researcher
    Email: qog7@txstate.edu
    Bio: Angely is a sophomore majoring in Civil Engineering at Texas State University. She has always enjoyed learning new things, and recently she has become especially fascinated by the environmental side of civil engineering. She is still exploring the many areas within environmental engineering and is eager to gain hands-on experience and learn how engineers can help protect and improve the environment. Through the HEDGE Research Group, she hopes to grow her understanding of sustainable practices and discover where her interests fit in the broader field.

Former Members

Postdoctoral Faculty

  • Dr. Ranjit Gurav


    Dr. Ranjit Gurav (2022 – 2024)

    Current position: Associate Professor, School of Advanced Engineering (Sustainability Cluster), UPES Dehradun-248007, Uttarakhand, India

  • Dr. Sivasankar Annamalai

    Dr. Sivasankar Annamalai: Aug 2024 – Dec 2025 @ HEDGE
    LinkedIn:Sivasankar Annamalai
    Google Scholar: Annamalai Sivasankar

    Read more about his Publication and Research Papers

    Following are the publications and research papers published b Dr. Annamalai:

    • Sivasankar Annamalai, Namwon Kim, and Sangchul Hwang, Performance of a 3D-particle electrode for PFOA degradation by persulfate-activated electrochemical advanced oxidation processes. HAZMO-D-25-00080. (Under Review)
    • Sivasankar Annamalai, Namwon Kim, and Sangchul Hwang, Enhanced PFOA degradation via persulfate-assisted electrochemical oxidation: Performance, Mechanistic insights, and Toxicity analysis. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 13, (2025) 119424 (IF 7.2)
    • K. Pandian, K. Samiyappan, A. Rangasamy, I. Raju, K. Dhanuskodi, J. Bose, Sivasankar Annamalai, and Sangchul Hwang. Bacillus-Enriched Organophosphorus Biochar  Formulations Increase Soil Microbial Diversity and Pigeon Pea Yield. Land Degrad. Dev. 4 (2025) 1–13 (IF 3.6) citation: 01
    • Ravikumar Swathy, Vellingiri Geethalakshmi, Sellaperumal Pazhanivelan, Pandian Kannan, Sivasankar Annamalai, and Sangchul Hwang. Real-time nitrogen monitoring and management to augment N use efficiency and ecosystem sustainability – A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances (2024) 100466. (IF 5.4) citation: 32
    • Sivasankar Annamalai, and Won Sik Shin. Revisiting the persulfate activation performance of seaweed-derived biochars: The composition and origin of pollutant degradation activity. Process Saf Environ Prot . (Manuscript No: PSEP-D-24-05336)
    • Ravikumar Swathy, Vellingiri Geethalakshmi, Sellaperumal Pazhanivelan, Pandian Kannan, Sivasankar Annamalai, and Sangchul Hwang. Real-time nitrogen monitoring and management to augment N use efficiency and ecosystem sustainability – A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances (2024) 100466.
    • P. Subramanian, K. Pandian, S. Pakkiyam, Sivasankar Annamalai, P.P. Chidambaram, M.R.A.F. Mustaffa. Biochar for heavy metal cleanup in soil and water: a review. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (2024): 1-21.
    • Soohyun Bae, MA Al Masud, Sivasankar Annamalai,and Won Sik Shin. The inherent nature of N/P heteroatoms in Sargassum fusiforme seaweed biochar enhanced the nonradical activation of peroxymonosulfate for acetaminophen degradation in aquatic environments. Chemosphere 356, (2024) 141877.
    • Kiung Seo1, Sivasankar Annamalai1, and Won Sik Shin. Enhancement of persulfate activation by the inherent nature of Fe-N-P/C biochar derived from Capsosiphon fulvescens as a green biomass material for organic pollutants degradation. Chemical Engineering Journal 475, (2023) 146445.
    • Sivasankar Annamalai, and Won Sik Shin. Algae-derived metal-free boron-doped biochar acts as a catalyst for the activation of peroxymonosulfate towards the degradation of diclofenac. Environmental Pollution 331, (2023) 121850.
    • MA Al Masud, Sivasankar Annamalai,and Won Sik Shin. Remediation of ciprofloxacin in soil using peroxymonosulfate activated by ball-milled seaweed kelp biochar: performance, mechanism, and phytotoxicity. Chemical Engineering Journal 465, (2023) 142908
    • Sivasankar Annamalai, and Won Sik Shin. In-situ pyrolysis of Undaria pinnatifida as a green carbo-catalyst for degradation of organic contaminants: Role of inherent N and P in the degradation pathway. Chemical Engineering Journal 465, (2023) 142813
    • Sanghoon Lee1, Sivasankar Annamalai1, and Won Sik Shin. Engineered ball-milled colloidal activated carbon material for advanced oxidation process of ibuprofen: Influencing factors and insights into the mechanism. Environmental Pollution 322, (2023) 121023,
    • Sivasankar Annamalai*, Venkatesan Muthukumar, and Manal M Alkhulaifi. A converged approach of the electro-biological process for decolorization and degradation of toxic synthetic dyes. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 195, (2023) 1–12
    • Karthick Subbiah, Han-Seung Lee, Taejoon Park, and Sivasankar Annamalai. Studies on corrosion monitoring of reinforced concrete using the embeddable solid-state electrode under the chloride environment. Construction and Building Materials 364, (2023) 129964
    • Sivasankar Annamalai*, Karthikeyan Chandrasekaran, Won Sik Shin, Maruthamuthu Sundaram, Thaj Mohammed Khaleel. Beyond Dumping: New strategies in the separation of preservative salt from tannery waste mixed salt and its reuse for tannery industrial application. Environmental Research 214, (2022) 113885
    • Vaishali S, Mullai P, Al Ghanim K, and Sivasankar Annamalai. Elucidation the influence of design variables on coagulation-flocculation mechanism in the lab-scale bio-coagulation on toxic industrial effluent treatment. Environmental Research 212, (2022) 113224,
    • Sivasankar Annamalai, and Won Sik Shin. Efficient degradation of trimethoprim with ball-milled nitrogen-doped biochar catalyst via persulfate activation. Chemical Engineering Journal 440, (2022) 135815
    • Sivasankar Annamalai, Ardie Septian, Jiyeon Choi, and Won Sik Shin. Remediation of phenol contaminated soil using persulfate activated by ball-milled colloidal activated carbon. Journal Environmental Management. 310 (2022) 114709
    • Sivasankar Annamalai, Cybelle Concepcion Futalan, and Yeonghee Ahn. Electrochemical disinfection of simulated ballast water treatment using RuO2-TiO2/Ti electrode. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (2022) 1835.
    • Crina Calenciuc, Antia Fernandez-Sanroman, Gabriela Lama, Sivasankar Annamalai, Angeles Sanroman and Marta Pazos. Recent developments on advanced oxidation processes for organics-polluted soil reclamation. Catalysts. 12 (2022) 1–24.
    • Ardie Septian, Venugopal Narendra Kumar, Annamalai Sivasankar, Jiyeon Choi, Inseong Hwang, and Won Sik Shin. Colloidal activated carbon as a highly efficient bifunctional catalyst for phenol degradation. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 414 (2021) 125474.
    • Sivasankar Annamalai*, Manikandan Santhanam, Subbulakshmi Selvaraj, Maruthamuthu Sundaram, Kannan Pandian and Marta Pazos. “Green technology”: Bio- stimulation by an electric field for textile dye contaminated farming soil. Science of the Total Environment. 624 (2018) 1649 – 1657.
    • Sivasankar Annamalai*, Maruthamuthu Sundaram and Marta Pazos. Integrated approach of chemical and electrodialysis process in textile effluent contaminated groundwater for irrigation. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 5 (2017) 3190 – 3200.
    • Sivasankar Annamalai*, Manikandan Santhanam, Subramanian Sudanthiramoorthy, Kannan Pandian and Marta Pazos. Greener technology for organic reactive dye degradation in textile dye-contaminated field soil and in–situ formation of “electroactive species” at the anode by electrokinetics. RSC Advances. 6 (2016) 3552- 3560.
    • Sivasankar Annamalai*, Subbulakshmi Selvaraj, Hosimin Selvaraj, Manikandan Santhanam and Marta Pazos. Electrokinetic remediation: challenging and optimization of electrolyte for sulfate removal in textile effluent-contaminated farming soil. RSC Advances. 5 (2015) 81052- 81058.
    • Manikandan Santhanam, Rajeswari Selvaraj, Sivasankar Annamalai, Sundram Maruthamuthu. Combined electrochemical, sunlight-induced oxidation and biological process for the treatment of chloride containing textile effluent. Chemosphere. 186 (2017)1026-1032.
    • Manikandan Santhanam, Sivasankar Annamalai, Subramanian Sudanthiramoorthy, Rajagopal Gopalakrishnan. A simple strategy for monitoring of aromatic degradation in chloride mediated electro-oxidation process. RSC Advances. 5 (2015) 75528- 75532.
    • Manikandan Santhanam, Sivasankar Annamalai, Sayera Banu Umarkatha, Sundram Maruthamuthu. Enhanced degradation of eletrooxidized textile effluent by petroleum degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC No.1201) at compressed gas pressure. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering. 38 (2015) 489–498.
    • Sivasankar Annamalai*, Manikandan Santhanam, Maruthamuthu Sundaram and Marta Pazos. Electrokinetic remediation of inorganic and organic pollutants in textile effluent contaminated agricultural soil. Chemosphere. 117 (2014) 673– 678.
    • A. Sivasankar, S. Arul Xavier Stango, R. Vedalakshmi. Quantitative estimation on delaying of the onset of corrosion of rebar in surface treated concrete using sealers. Ain Shams Engineering Journal. 4 (2013), 615–623.
    • C.Soundarrajan, A. Sivasankar, S.Maruthamuthu, A. Veluchamy. Improved lead recovery and sulphate removal from used lead acid battery through Electrokinetic technique. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 217-218 (2012) 452-456.  

Graduate Students

  • Marufa Khondoker

    Marufa Khondoker (2022 – 2023)

    Thesis: Petroleum Hydrocarbon Removal from Waterways using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Biomass
    Current position: Engineer in Training, Ardurra Group Inc., Austin, TX

  • Joseph Ball

    Joseph Ball (2023 – 2024)

    Thesis: An Evaluation of Enriched Aerobic Bacterial Communities capable of Biodegrading TCE under Different pH and Temperature
    Current position: Lab Operator, Emerald Cloud Lab, Austin, TX