2022 Paul G. Complin Scholarship Recipients

Nasim Yavari

Nasim Yavari, who has an industrial process engineering background has recently been working within the ongen group (ongen.ca) at Laurentian University. Her Master's research thesis is in the field of biological fixation (mitigation) of industrial fermentation off-gas CO2 using microalgae with unique properties that have been bioprospected from water bodies on mine sites in the region of Sudbury, Ontario. These microalgae exhibit many properties that make them ideal for exposure to off-gas, as well generating a wide-range of biocompounds of commercial interest. The environmental impact of fermented beverage production has drawn attention as a result of the noticeable expansion of ethanol-based industries. Nasim became enthusiastic about developing low-cost, sustainable and environmentally-friendly technology for fermentation process CO2 fixation. As the CO2 produced is a clean carbon source, she is also working with other members of the research team on microlagal synthesis of various valuable biomolecules, such as lipids, and proteins, which can be used as biofuels, sources of nutrition, and/or health beneficial products.