Research Areas

Welcome to the Department of Chemical Engineering at Lakehead University - a vibrant community of scholars, innovators, and learners dedicated to advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges.

Located in Thunder Bay, we foster a collaborative and inclusive research environment where curiosity drives discovery and ideas translate into meaningful impact.

Our research spans a diverse range of disciplines, organized into seven thematic areas that reflect both our expertise and our commitment to addressing global challenges:

1. Reaction & Catalysis Engineering

• Advanced Catalytic Systems – Design and development of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems (Dr. Rezaei, Dr. Fatehi, Dr. Kang, Dr. Kozinski)
• Advanced Reaction Engineering – Polymerization, grafting, oxidation, hydrolysis, coupling, and crosslinking reactions (Dr. Fatehi, Dr. Rezaei, Dr. Liao, Dr. Kozinski, Dr. Kang)

2. Sustainable Energy, Bioprocessing, Biorefining & Sustainability Analysis

• Bioenergy – Biodiesel, biofuels, and biogas production (Dr. Liao, Dr. Rakshit, Dr. Kang, Dr. Kozinski)
• Biorefining Processes – Biomass fractionation and valorization technologies, including platform chemical production (Dr. Rakshit, Dr. Kang, Dr. Fatehi, Dr. Kozinski)
• Integrated Sustainability Analysis – TEA and LCA for emerging processes, focusing on Arctic and circumpolar regions, Indigenous and First Nations communities, and circular bioeconomy pathways (Dr. Rakshit) 

3. Environmental & Resource Engineering

• Water & Wastewater Treatment – Advanced technologies for water and wastewater purification (Dr. Liao, Dr. Elyasi, Dr. Fatehi, Dr. Rezaei, Dr. Kang, Dr. Ramos-Pallares)
• Solid Waste Utilization – Innovative processes for conversion and valorization of solid waste (Dr. Elyasi, Dr. Rakshit, Dr. Kozinski, Dr. Kang)
• Membrane Technology – Membrane separations, membrane bioreactors, and fouling mechanisms (Dr. Liao) 

4. Fluid Dynamics, Multiphase Flow, Thermodynamics & Process Systems

• Advanced Fluid Dynamics (CFD) & Multiphase Flow – Rheology, hydrodynamics, and computational/experimental studies of single- and multiphase systems in reactors and mixing processes (Dr. Elyasi, Dr. Pakzad)
• Modeling, Simulation & Process Optimization – Modeling, simulation, and optimization of chemical engineering processes (Dr. Elyasi, Dr. Rezaei, Dr. Ramos-Pallares, Dr. Kang)
• Thermodynamics & Phase Behavior – Fundamental thermodynamics, phase equilibria, and computational modeling (Dr. Ramos-Pallares)
• Respiratory Drug Delivery, Aerosol Transport & Spray Technologies – Inhalation systems, aerosol dynamics, particle transport and deposition, and spray processes for industrial and biomedical applications (Dr. Pakzad) 

5. Green & Sustainable Engineering

• Green Chemical Processes – Separation and processing techniques, including flocculation, flotation, extraction, and leaching (Dr. Fatehi, Dr. Liao, Dr. Kang, Dr. Kozinski)
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction – CO₂ capture and algal-based mitigation technologies (Dr. Rakshit, Dr. Rezaei, Dr. Kozinski, Dr. Kang)
• Green Cement Technologies – Low-carbon cement and waste-based construction materials (Dr. Fatehi)

6. Materials & Polymer Engineering

• Surface Engineering & Colloidal Systems – Surface science, coatings, and formulation of paints and pigments (Dr. Fatehi)
• Multifunctional Green Materials – Functional materials, including films, antimicrobial surfaces, and sustainable solvents (Dr. Fatehi, Dr. Kozinski, Dr. Kang)
• Advanced Polymerization Systems – Polymer synthesis and physicochemical characterization (Dr. Fatehi) 

7. Industrial & Forest Bioproducts Engineering

• Advanced Functional Wood Products – Wood protection systems, advanced wood product technologies, and functional lignocellulosic materials (Dr. Fatehi)

Research Laboratories

Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering and Sciences (CASES)

• Advanced Water and Wastewater Laboratory (FB 1012) (Dr. Liao)
• Green Chemical Process Centre (FB 1014) (Dr. Fatehi)
• Multiphase Flow Research Laboratory (FB 2017) (Dr. Pakzad)

Alumni House

• Bioenergy and Biorefinery Laboratories (Dr. Rakshit)

Centennial Building (CB)

• Environmental Catalysis Laboratory (CB 1011) (Dr. Rezaei)
• Energy Frontiers Laboratory (CB 1011) (Dr. Kozinski & Dr. Rezaei)
• CFD and Visualization Laboratory (CB 1011B) (Dr. Elyasi)
• Thermodynamics and Thermophysical Properties Lab (CB 0014) (Dr. Ramos-Pallares)
• Industrial Waste Management and Utilization Laboratory (CB 0014) (Dr. Liao & Dr. Ramos-Pallares)

Together, these research areas and facilities create a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment that supports innovation, collaboration, and impactful research addressing local and global challenges.