MSU grad students sweep water environment research competition
August 19, 2005
Mississippi State graduate students from Philadelphia, Flowood and Wiggins swept top honors for research presentations at the 48th annual meeting and technical conference of the Mississippi Water Environment Association.
A total of 12 from the Starkville university and the universities of Louisiana at Lafayette and Alabama-Tuscaloosa made presentations during the recent two-day conference in Gulfport.
Matthew Thomas of Philadelphia, a chemical engineering major, was the first-place winner for his presentation on research involving the effect of chloride on the treatment of 2.4-dinitrotoluene water using zero-valent metals. His research was directed by Rafael Hernandez, an assistant professor in chemical engineering.
Anirudha Marwaha, a chemical engineering major from Flowood, won second place for a research presentation on iron phosphate treatment of radioactive stimulant calcine waste. His research–focusing on the stabilization and solidification of high-level wastes–was directed by Mark Bricka, an associate professor of chemical engineering.
Nick Hatten, a forest products major from Wiggins, won third place for his presentation on the leaching of minerals from composting wood waste amended with chicken litter. His research was directed by Hamid Borazjani, a professor of forest products.
The Mississippi Water Environment Association is a professional, non-profit, technical and educational organization devoted to the preservation and enhancement of the statewide water environment.