PhD Application: Combining Past Research in Wastewater Treatment with Microbial Electrochemistry at KAUST

Based on my past research experience in biological wastewater treatment and my fascination with microbial electrochemistry, I plan to combine these two areas in my future research. I believe that understanding the metabolism of microbes in wastewater treatment is crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable treatment methods. By utilizing microbial electrochemistry, I can investigate the detailed mechanisms of microbial metabolism and potentially develop novel technologies for wastewater treatment.

During my master's research, I was exposed to the concept of microbial electrochemistry while studying microbial metabolism in wastewater treatment. This sparked my interest and motivated me to delve deeper into this field. I conducted further investigations and discovered that KAUST has a strong research focus on microbial electrochemistry in the Environmental Science and Engineering department. The presence of top scientific researchers and their excellent academic achievements in this field at KAUST make it an ideal place for me to pursue my research interests.

Moreover, KAUST provides a comfortable research environment and abundant educational resources, including advanced research facilities. These resources will allow me to fully immerse myself in my research and provide me with the necessary tools and support to conduct experiments and analyze data effectively. The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the research community at KAUST will also provide opportunities for me to learn from experts in other related fields and broaden my knowledge.

My undergraduate research project and internships provided me with valuable experience and skills relevant to my future research. The absorption capacity study of magnetic biochar enhanced my understanding of the microcosm and the importance of fundamental research in engineering applications. The internships at the municipal design institute and environmental audit bureau taught me the significance of theoretical guidance in avoiding empirical design flaws in engineering projects. These experiences have shaped my mindset towards conducting fundamental research that can have practical applications.

During my master's study, I achieved a GPA of 3.2/4.0, indicating my dedication and ability to succeed in an academic setting. My research on enhanced biological phosphorus removal allowed me to gain practical knowledge and skills in various analytical techniques, including GC-MS, HPLC, ICP-MS, spectrophotometry, particle size analysis, and metagenomic analysis. Additionally, my participation in a sulfur autotrophic denitrification project improved my team collaboration, communication skills, and scheduling ability.

In summary, my past research experience in biological wastewater treatment and my fascination with microbial electrochemistry have motivated me to pursue a PhD position in this field at KAUST. I believe that merging these two areas will contribute to the advancement of wastewater treatment technologies and have a positive impact on environmental sustainability. The resources and research environment at KAUST will provide me with the necessary support to conduct high-quality research and achieve my research goals.