Dr Alireza Fathollahi
Research Fellow
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Personal statement
Dr. Fathollahi holds a dual Ph.D. qualification, having earned one from University of Tehran in the field of Civil Engineering and another from Coventry University in Environmental Engineering (by publication). This academic background underscores Dr. Fathollahi's extensive expertise and versatility, reflecting a deep commitment to advancing knowledge across both disciplines.
Dr. Fathollahi has held research positions as secondments at several prestigious institutions, including UCL, Coventry University, the University of Nottingham, and the University of Cantabria. These experiences highlight his active involvement in extensive research projects, notably including the Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Fellowship. This diverse portfolio of research roles underscores Dr. Fathollahi's dedication to advancing his field through collaborative and innovative research efforts.
Dr. Fathollahi is also actively involved in teaching, delivering courses in civil and environmental engineering across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His commitment to education complements his research expertise, allowing him to inspire and guide the next generation of engineers and researchers.
Dr Fathollahi is an editor of the "Sustainability" journal and editing a special issue which welcomes submissions related to its scopes:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/S8YS7A9XW8
Dr Fathollahi is a reviewer of several Elsevier journals including "Journal of Cleaner Production", "Science of the Total Environment", "Chemosphere", "Journal of Hazardous Materials" and "Water Research".
Dr Fathollahi is also a committee and award member of the SCMT6 2024, Lyon, France conference which is open for registration:
https://www.scmt-conferences.com/scmt6/committee-members
Dr Fathollahi has an interest in multidisciplinary research areas including geotechnical engineering, microbiology, analytical chemistry and material science. His research is largely directed towards utilising the potential of microorganisms in developing nature-based, Net-Zero and cost-effective technologies for environmental and engineering applications. Prior to taking up a prestigious European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) fellowship in 2019, he was a part-time soil nailing engineer in industry, working on slope stability projects for the stabilisation of natural and excavated slopes in parks.
Research interests:
Geotechnical Engineering: Slope stability, Soil-nail wall design
Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology: Biosorption, Biofilms
Sustainability: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC)
Environmental Chemistry: Fate and transport of contaminants in soil - water (HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, IC)
Material Science (XRD, SEM, FTIR, Raman)
Biogeochemistry (Physical, chemical and biological processes)
Meta-analysis of environmental and geotechnical data
Prize And Awards
- MSCA ITN-ETA Fellowship Award
- Recipient
- 25/5/2022
- Exceptional Performance Award
- Recipient
- 8/10/2021
- Exceptional Performance Award
- Recipient
- 1/9/2020
Publications
- Mechanical and leaching characterisation of impact-absorbing rubberised asphalts for urban pavements
- Makoundou Christina, Fathollahi Alireza, Kleiven Svein, Coupe Stephen J, Sangiorgi Cesare
- Materials and Structures Vol 56 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-022-02078-5
- Leaching of PAHs from rubber modified asphalt pavements
- Fathollahi Alireza, Makoundou Christina, Coupe Stephen J, Sangiorgi Cesare
- Science of the Total Environment Vol 826 (2022)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153983
- Effect of environmental and nutritional conditions on the formation of single and mixed-species biofilms and their efficiency in cadmium removal
- Fathollahi Alireza, Coupe Stephen J
- Chemosphere Vol 283 (2021)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131152
- Thermally treated waste silt as filler in geopolymer cement
- Solouki Abbas, Fathollahi Alireza, Viscomi Giovanni, Tataranni Piergiorgio, Valdrè Giovanni, Coupe Stephen J, Sangiorgi Cesare
- Materials Vol 14 (2021)
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14175102
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) of road drainage systems for sustainability evaluation : quantifying the contribution of different life cycle phases
- Fathollahi Alireza, Coupe Stephen J
- Science of the Total Environment Vol 776 (2021)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145937
- A meta-analysis of metal biosorption by suspended bacteria from three phyla
- Fathollahi Alireza, Khasteganan Nazanin, Coupe Stephen J, Newman Alan P
- Chemosphere Vol 268 (2021)
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129290
Professional Activities
- Strategic Themes: EPSRC Multi-Disciplinary IM3AGES Facility Workshop
- Participant
- 26/2/2024
- Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies Conferences
- Participant
- 2024
- Screening Fungal Species for Soil-Mycelia Systems
- Speaker
- 2024
- Microbial communities as remediation agents
- Speaker
- 10/2023
- Sustainability (Switzerland) (Journal)
- Guest editor
- 8/2023
- Sustainability (Switzerland) (Journal)
- Peer reviewer
- 2023
Projects
- Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Formpave Ltd
- Coupe, Stephen (Principal Investigator) Newman, Alan (Co-investigator) Fathollahi, Alireza (Researcher)
- The Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Formpave Ltd. was a collaborative research endeavor focused on exploring the potential of permeable pavement biofilms as a novel approach to heavy metal removal from stormwater runoff. By combining academic expertise with industry-specific knowledge, the project aimed to elucidate the complex mechanisms governing the bioaccumulation of heavy metals within the biofilm matrix of permeable pavements. Through a comprehensive investigation of biofilm characteristics, metal uptake kinetics, and the influence of environmental factors, the partnership sought to optimise the design and application of permeable pavements for improved water quality management. The ultimate goal was to develop practical, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions for mitigating the environmental impacts of heavy metal pollution in urban areas.
- 11-Jan-2021 - 25-Jan-2022
- New confinement systems for Pervious Pavement Systems (PPS) for urban flood mitigation
- Coupe, Stephen (Principal Investigator) Fathollahi, Alireza (Researcher)
- Urbanisation and climate change have intensified the frequency and severity of urban flooding, necessitating innovative solutions for stormwater management. This project focuses on developing advanced confinement systems to enhance the performance and durability of Pervious Pavement Systems (PPS). By addressing the critical issues of clogging, erosion, and structural degradation, we aim to optimise the hydrological function of PPS for effective flood mitigation. Through rigorous research, design, and testing, this project will explore novel materials, configurations, and installation methods to create confinement systems that balance water infiltration, pollutant removal, and load-bearing capacity. Ultimately, the project seeks to provide practical, sustainable, and scalable solutions to improve the resilience of urban environments and protect communities from the adverse impacts of flooding.
- 08-Jan-2019 - 15-Jan-2021
- Knowledge Transfer Partnership with SEL Environmental and Coventry University
- Coupe, Stephen (Principal Investigator) Newman, Alan (Co-investigator) Fathollahi, Alireza (Researcher)
- The Knowledge Transfer Partnership with SEL Environmental and Coventry University aimed to conduct a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of drainage systems, with a particular focus on the environmental benefits derived from incorporating biologically active layers. This collaborative research project investigated the potential of these systems to remove contaminants from stormwater runoff, thereby improving water quality and mitigating pollution. By quantifying the environmental impacts associated with drainage system materials, construction, operation, and maintenance, as well as assessing the ecological benefits of contaminant removal, the project sought to develop a robust framework for evaluating the overall sustainability and performance of drainage systems. This knowledge is essential for promoting the adoption of environmentally friendly and effective drainage solutions.
- 18-Jan-2019 - 14-Jan-2021
- Sustainable, Accessible, Safe, Resilient and Smart Urban Pavements
- Fathollahi, Alireza (Researcher)
- The overall purpose of SAFERUP! was to inform the design, operation and installation of the next generation of urban pavements. Using innovative methodologies in material recycling to reduce material use, we will prevent flooding and water pollution from hard surfaces and ensuring a more sustainable and user friendly experience for the users of urban infrastructure. More details:
https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-directories/current-projects/2019/saferup/ - 10-Jan-2019 - 19-Jan-2022
- Sustainability evaluation of solid waste management strategies
- Fathollahi, Alireza (Principal Investigator)
- This research aimed to assess the sustainability of various solid waste management strategies. By conducting comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analyses on different waste management scenarios within the Greater Tehran region, with its population exceeding 15 million, the project aimed to identify the most environmentally sound and economically viable options. By evaluating the environmental impacts, resource consumption, and financial implications of each strategy, the research provided valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in developing and implementing sustainable waste management plans. Ultimately, this project contributed to the development of more resilient and environmentally responsible waste management systems for large urban areas.
- 18-Jan-2017 - 20-Jan-2018
- Using construction debris in asphalt concrete mix design
- Fathollahi, Alireza (Principal Investigator)
- This research investigates the feasibility of incorporating construction debris into asphalt concrete mix designs. By exploring various compositions and proportions of recycled construction materials, the project aims to develop sustainable and cost-effective asphalt mixtures. Through rigorous laboratory testing and analysis, the study will evaluate the impact of construction debris on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of asphalt concrete. The ultimate goal is to identify optimal mix designs that meet performance standards while diverting construction waste from landfills and reducing the consumption of virgin materials.
- 20-Jan-2016 - 22-Jan-2018
Contact
Dr
Alireza
Fathollahi
Research Fellow
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Email: alireza.fathollahi@strath.ac.uk
Tel: Unlisted