Her background
I am a graduate engineer with a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering from Notre Dame University - Lebanon and a master's degree in civil and environmental engineering specialized in Envelope and Sustainable Construction from École Normale Supérieure - Paris Saclay.
Throughout my career, I have gained practical experience through several industrial internships, as well as research internships. These opportunities allowed me to apply my knowledge in real-world settings, and to learn from experienced professionals in the industry. In addition to industrial internships, I also completed several research internships throughout my academic career, which provided me with an in-depth understanding of the research process and allowed me to work on cutting-edge projects. These experiences have enabled me to develop a unique skill set, combining both academic and practical knowledge, which I believe will be invaluable in my future endeavors.
Key facts
- Dean’s list throughout my academic career
- Strong foundation in structural design, construction management, and environmental impact assessment.
- Experience in experimental design, data analysis, and technical writing.
- Equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the research world in civil and environmental engineering, and have the potential to make significant contributions to the field in areas such as sustainable construction and environmental impact reduction.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
Summary of her thesis
Cementitious materials are among the most common materials used in wastewater collection and treatment. These materials have a high chemical resistance, which is an important feature since it allows the adequate wastewater treatment, the production of a long-lasting network, and the prevention of pollution. Nevertheless, the presence of Sulphur and Nitrogenous components associated with microorganisms can cause cementitious materials to degrade significantly.
On one hand, in the case of Sulphur elements, at the bottom of the pipes, relatively thick layers of sedimentary sludge and sand accumulate resulting in the formation of anoxic zones. under these anaerobic circumstances, Sulfate-reducing bacteria can develop using oxidized sulfur compounds in the effluent as an electron acceptor and excrete hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The cementitious materials can be impacted by hydrogen sulfide degassed in the aerial part of the pipe in two ways: directly by interacting with the cementitious materials and lowering the pH, or indirectly by serving as a nutrient for sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which generate sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid dissolves the cement matrix, allowing the development of expanding secondary mineral products such as gypsum and ettringite, depending on its composition.
On the other hand, in the case of nitrogenous elements, wastewater treatment plants must reduce nitrogen discharges into the natural environment. They do so by utilizing biological nitrification techniques, which use nitrifying bacteria to convert ammonium to nitrite ions, which are subsequently transformed into nitrates. The amounts of nitrogenous compounds in the effluents to be handled are not deemed aggressive for cementitious materials, according to the EN 206 standard. The biofilm that grows on the surface, on the other side, generates local environmental changes that contribute to the cement matrix's decalcification.
Thus, the objective of the thesis is to better appreciate the processes of bio-alteration of a cement matrix, as well as its propagation kinetics in the matrix in the case of these two attacks. It is also a question of better apprehending the degradation on the surface and the appearance of the mineral phases revealing the process. For this reason, the cementitious matrices will be exposed to controlled biodegradation chambers in the presence of H2S and in nitrification bioreactors controlled by a choice of microorganisms, as well as to effluents in sewage networks under real conditions.
What's next?
After obtaining my PhD degree, I intend to pursue my professional career through post-doctoral positions that will allow me to gain more experience in my scientific field. Afterwards, I would like to become an assistant professor in a university in order to transmit my knowledge to younger students while maintaining my research work.