Shaily Mahendra

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Shaily Mahendra
Mahendra in 2011
Academic background
EducationB. Tech, 1997, Indian Institutes of Technology
M.S., 2001, Syracuse University
PhD., 2007, University of California, Berkeley
ThesisBiodegradation of 1,4-Dioxane by aerobic bacteria: experimental studies and modeling of oxidation kinetics, co-contaminant effects, and biochemical pathways (2007)
Academic work
InstitutionsRice University
University of California, Los Angeles
Main interestsenvironmental toxicology
applications of nanomaterial

Shaily Mahendra is an Indian-American civil and environmental engineer. She is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Career[edit]

After earning her PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, Mahendra accepted a research scientist position at Rice University.[1] At Rice, Mahendra studied how silver nanoparticles contained in water filtration membranes, polymers, and oil paints, worked to disinfect viruses, bacteria, and fungi. She also led a project to explore natural and engineered bioremediation of 1,4-dioxane in colder climates.[2]

Mahendra joined the faculty of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2009.[3] Two years later, she was elected a Hellman Fellow and she conducted a project entitled “Biodegradation of Perfluorinated Compounds" which was submitted to the US Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment.[4] As a result of her research, Mahendra received the 2013 Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation[5] and UCLA's 2013 DuPont Young Professor award. The Dupont award was given to Mahendra for her development of cost-effective detection and remediation of microbes and fungi that could remedy chemical contaminants in groundwater at industrial sites.[6] The next year, Mahendra was promoted to Associate Professor for the 2014–15 academic year.[7] As an Associate Professor, Mahendra teamed up with Leonard Rom to develop a new technique that uses enzymes to remove pollutants from water which also minimizes risks to public health and the environment.[8]

In 2017, Mahendra and her research team developed a method to package enzymes capable of destroying contaminants through biodegradation together into nanoparticle “vaults.” They then immobilized the enzyme vaults in sol-gels, which would help scale up production and integrate vaults at treatment plants.[9] As a result, Mahendra was elected to the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Board of Directors.[10] She later received the Paul L. Busch award for technology to clean water of pollutants.[11]

The next year, Mahendra received a 2018 Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman award from the Government of India Non-Resident Indian Welfare Society for her "distinguished record of outstanding service, achievements and contributions."[12] In 2019, Mahendra received the 2019 Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize from American Society of Civil Engineers for "pioneering the application of enzyme-nanoparticle vaults in water treatment."[13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Mong, Rice Honored at 2013 UCLA Engineering Awards Gala". samueli.ucla.edu. November 5, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  2. ^ "Civil & Environmental Engineering" (PDF). cee.ucla.edu. 2009. pp. 3, 6. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  3. ^ "UCLA Engineering Adds New Faculty for 2009-10". samueli.ucla.edu. August 12, 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  4. ^ "Fellows Program 2011 Annual Report" (PDF). hellmanfellows.org. 2011. p. 19. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  5. ^ Duzaryan, Sylvia (January 24, 2013). "Scientist receives NSF award to study microbes that detoxify hazardous chemicals". newsroom.ucla.edu. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  6. ^ "Mahendra wins Dupont award" (PDF). cee.ucla.edu. 2013. p. 4. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  7. ^ "Major Faculty Awards 2014-15" (PDF). cee.ucla.edu. 2015. p. 3. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  8. ^ "Dr. Shaily Mahendra Leads Research in Removing Pollutants from Water". cee.ucla.edu. November 23, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  9. ^ Chawaga, Peter (December 27, 2017). "Will Enzyme Vaults Be A One-Stop-Shop For Emerging Contaminants?". wateronline.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  10. ^ "FACULTY" (PDF). cee.ucla.edu. Fall 2016. p. 3. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  11. ^ "Shaily Mahendra receives Paul L. Busch award for technology to clean water of pollutants". cee.ucla.edu. October 12, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  12. ^ Chin, Matthew (November 5, 2018). "Civil and environmental engineering professor honored by Indian government". newsroom.ucla.edu. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  13. ^ "Shaily Mahendra Wins 2019 ASCE Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize". cee.ucla.edu. November 12, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.

External links[edit]

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