Degree Program: Masters in Environmental & Conservation Sciences graduated in Fall 2011.
E-mail: rabiya.shabnam@gmail.com
Education:
Bachelors in Biochemistry from University of Madras, India
Masters in Biochemistry from Periyar University, India
Masters in Environmental Conservation Sciences, NDSU, Fargo, ND
Research interests:
Metals and metal nanoparticles and micro-organisms
Enzyme activity assays and purification of protein
Molecular biology techniques
Thesis/ dissertation research:
Interaction of Iron Nanoparticles with Microorganisms
My research was focused to study NZVI-microorganism interactions; in terms of microbial growth, with nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) in buffer solution and nutrient broth. The gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739 & JM109) and Pseudomonas putida F1, have not shown significant effects on their growth. Our results shows that observed bactericidal effect of NZVI depends on the growth of the bacteria, exposure time, bacterial species, and environmental conditions like temperature, stirring/shaking and concentration of NZVI with specific microorganisms ( E.coli, Pseudomonas Putida ).
Supplementary Research:
Alginate Encapsulated Iron Nanoparticles and Microorganisms for Groundwater
Remediation
Biopolymers are extensively used in remediation. Experiments are conducted in ‘micro-reactors’ made of biopolymers (e.g., alginate). The Calcium alginate capsules were made and optimized by measuring the diameter, membrane thickness, and bursting force. The Diameter of the capsule is ~ 3.4mm. Diffusion studies were done using monosaccharide (Xylose) and Pesticide
(Alachlor) showed a good diffusion tendency in the microreactors. Thus this study proposes to encapsulate NZVI in alginate microcapsules and study the degradation of the contaminants
(Alachlor).
Microbial Degradation of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
PDMS group of polymers are used in a number of commercial products. Due to the lack of biodegradability may limit the use of PDMS. In this study microbial degradation of PDMS was investigated in the laboratory with and without NZVI using pure culture (Pseudomonas putida
KT2440).
A respirometer was used to monitor biochemical oxidation demand (BOD) during the degradation process. Viable microbial cells were also counted over time in the test samples to understand their growth kinetics.

Awards and Honor
 North Dakota Water Resource Research Institute Fellowship Award 2008 and 2009.
 ECS Summer Fellowship award 2009.
 ECS Program Poster competition - Best Poster Award 2011.
Presentations
-Rabiya Shabnam, Senay Simsek, Eakalak Khan, Achintya Bezbaruah, “Contaminant diffusion studies with alginate encapsulated iron nanoparticles , Environmental & Conservation Sciences
Graduate Program poster session, October 2011, NDSU (Best poster award)
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Oral:
Rabiya S-Rabiya Shabnam, Senay Simsek, Eakalak Khan, John McEvoy, Achintya Bezbaruah, “
Diffusion and Treatability Studies with Biopolymer Encapsulated Zero-valent Iron
Nanoparticles”. EWRI, May 2011, Palm Springs, CA
Rabiya Shabnam, John McEvoy, Eakalak Khan, Achintya Bezbaruah, Senay Simsek, “Exposure of Microorganisms to Iron Nanoparticles”. NDEPSCOR State Conference, September, 2010,
Grand Forks, ND.
Rabiya Shabnam, Achintya Bezbaruah, Senay Simsek, Eakalak Khan. “Biopolymer
Encapsulated Metal Nanoparticles and Microorganisms for Environmental Remediation”,
Presented at Annual Joint Student Environmental Conference, August 2008, NDSU.
Poster:
Rabiya Shabnam, Senay Simsek, Jay M. Thompson, Eakalak Khan, Achintya Bezbaruah.
“Contaminant Diffusion and Degradation Studies with Alginate Encapsulated Iron
Nanoparticles", American Chemical Society Meeting March 2009, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Rabiya Shabnam, Achintya Bezbaruah, Senay Simsek, Eakalak Khan, John McEvoy, Yildirim
Bora Suzen. “Use of Biopolymer to Encapsulate Iron Nanoparticles: Diffusion and Treatability
Studies”, International Environmental Nanotechnology Conference, Chicago, October 2008. http://www.emsus.com/nanotechconf/abstracts_posters_n-z.htm
Rabiya Shabnam, Achintya Bezbaruah, Senay Simsek, Eakalak Khan. “Encapsulation of Iron
Nano Particles and Microorganisms with Alginate for Environmental Remediation”, AWWA
Surface Water Conference, Moorhead, MN, April 2008.