Concordia researcher helps improve indoor air quality
Zahra Shayegan, a former PhD student at the Department of Building, Civil & Engineering, Gina Cody School, won the Governor General's Academic Gold Medal Award for her work on indoor air pollutions.
She is currently a Postdoctoral researcher at Institut national de la recherche scientifique.
She was always passionate about expanding her knowledge and skills to tackle environmental challenges. Pursuing this approach, the topic of her Ph.D. study was aimed to address indoor air pollutions and enhance indoor air quality. Her Ph.D. thesis, titled “Modification of Titanium Dioxide for Photocatalytic Degradation of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds: Under UV and Visible Light”, was completed under the supervision of Professor Fariborz Haghighat.
The outcome of her Ph.D. findings has been published and cited in many high-impact peer-reviewed journals. She was awarded several scholarships and awards. During her Ph.D., to expand her knowledge and her academic network, she joined two prestigious groups of indoor air quality at ETH Zurich University, Switzerland and the National Research Council Canada, as a visiting researcher.
3 keys to a good education?
- Challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone which makes you creative
- Set study goals and always have a specific plan with clear objectives and expected results
- Hang out with motivated and focused peers who bring out your best
Lesson learned at Concordia
After each failed experiment, I acknowledge my errors by analyzing all possible mistakes. Then make a plan to do better in the future and avoid making any similar mistakes.
Her next big goal
To become a successful and productive member of the research community.
A piece of advice for future grads
Define high personal and academic goals for yourself, and live up to them. Learn new skills as often as you can.