Syed Z. Islam, Ph.D.
About Syed Z. Islam, Ph.D.
Syed Z. Islam, Ph.D., is an R&D Associate Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has worked since 2021. He specializes in carbon dioxide capture and separation processes and leads projects on critical material recovery from lithium-ion batteries.
Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Syed Z. Islam, Ph.D., has been serving as an R&D Associate Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 2021. In this role, he is responsible for managing research teams and writing proposals for funding. His work includes leading projects focused on the separation and recovery of critical materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the same laboratory from 2018 to 2020.
Education and Expertise
Syed Z. Islam earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, where he studied from 2012 to 2017. He also holds a Master of Science (MS) in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University, completed from 2010 to 2012. His undergraduate studies culminated in a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Chemical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, where he studied from 2004 to 2009.
Research and Development Experience
Throughout his career, Syed Z. Islam has engaged in various research roles. He worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Kentucky from 2012 to 2017 and at North Carolina A&T State University from 2010 to 2012. His research contributions include developing a membrane contactor-based process for carbon dioxide capture and separation, as well as engaging in solar energy-driven electrochemical desalination projects.
Teaching Experience
Syed Z. Islam has experience in academia as a Teaching Assistant at both the University of Kentucky and North Carolina A&T State University. He served as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Kentucky for 9 months in 2012-2013 and at North Carolina A&T State University for 9 months from 2010 to 2011. These roles involved supporting students in their learning and assisting faculty in delivering course content.
International Research Background
Before his advanced studies in the United States, Syed Z. Islam conducted undergraduate research at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 2008. This experience laid the foundation for his future research endeavors in chemical engineering and contributed to his comprehensive understanding of the field.