Members
Assoc. Prof. Olivier Lefebvre (Principal Investigator)
Dr Olivier Lefebvre is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research work is mainly in the fields of electrochemical technologies, advanced oxidation processes, industrial wastewater treatment, technology transfer and water reuse. He is also an adjunct Professor at the Research Institute of Mines and Environment of the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and a management committee member of the specialist group on water reuse, within the International Water Association. An agronomic engineer by formation, Olivier obtained his Ph.D. from Supagro Montpellier in 2005, on a collaborative work between the Narbonne laboratory of the French National Research Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and the Anna University in Chennai, India. The topic was related to biological treatment of tannery wastewater. Contact: ceelop@nus.edu.sg
Research Staff
Dr. Orlando García-Rodríguez (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr. Orlando, a Mexican scientist at the National University of Singapore, has been a part of EWAT group since 2016. With a strong technical foundation, he holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Biochemistry (GPA 92/100), an MSc. in Renewable Energy (GPA 94/100), and a PhD in Electrochemistry (GPA 100/100), he specializes in developing electrochemical technologies for wastewater treatment, focusing on optimizing and creating new electrode materials for electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs). Outside the lab, Orlando is passionate about traveling and sports. He was a member of the Mexican national skating team for a decade, competing in two Pan American Games and one Central American Games. Though no longer competing in skating, Orlando maintains his fitness through CrossFit and being part of the NUS staff running team, balancing his active lifestyle with a love for beer and food. Contact: orlando@nus.edu.sg
Dr. Liu Enyu (Research Fellow)
Dr. Liu is a Research Fellow in EWAT group, where his work centers on using electrocoagulation as a pre-treatment for seawater desalination. His research aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of desalination processes, contributing to advancements in water treatment technologies. Through his innovative approach, Liu Enyu seeks to address the challenges of clean water access and support the development of environmentally friendly solutions. Contact: liuenyu@nus.edu.sg
Kishan Chandra Mohan (Research Engineer)
Kishan is a Research Engineer at our research group, focusing on electrochemical pre-treatment for seawater desalination. His role includes stakeholder engagement, lab analysis, data processing, and mentoring environmental engineering undergraduates.
He earned his MEng in Environmental Engineering at NUS, specializing in data processing, and was active in the Environmental Science and Engineering Students’ Club (ESESC), serving as Deputy Director for Events and Vice President (Internal).
Kishan completed a 6-month internship at Suez Water Technologies & Solutions, gaining expertise in surface analysis, oil analysis, and membrane autopsy, and participated in a Student Exchange Programme at the University of Southern California. A proponent of work-life balance, he is always open to new experiences. Contact: cmkishan@nus.edu.sg
Phoo Pyae Sone (Research Engineer)
Phoo Pyae Sone is a Research Engineer at the EWAT group, her research aims to enhance the pre-treatment phase of seawater desalination by integrating electrocoagulation and ultrafiltration membrane technologies. By applying an electric charge, electrocoagulation effectively targets the removal of suspended solids and organic matter, while ultrafiltration membranes serve to capture finer particles. This synergistic approach not only optimizes filtration efficiency but also minimizes membrane fouling, thereby improving the overall performance and sustainability of the desalination process. Contact: phoo_ps@nus.edu.sg
Students
Ng Joyslin Tee (PhD canditate)
Ng Joyslin Tee graduated with honors in Environmental Engineering from NUS in 2023, also minoring in Language Studies with a focus on German. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at NUS, her research explores the use of electrochemistry for the regeneration of activated carbon and enhancing materials with graphene to improve industrial water treatment processes.
Passionate about making a positive impact, Joyslin aspires to become an educator and academic, aiming to inspire the next generation of environmental engineers. With four years of private tutoring experience, she has cultivated a strong love for teaching and a dedication to fostering a love for learning.
Combining her interest in electrochemistry with a commitment to sustainability, she is focused on developing innovative and practical water treatment solutions to address critical environmental issues. Contact: e0426062@u.nus.edu
Zhen Xiong (PhD candidate)
Xiong Zhen is a PhD student at EWAT research group, bringing together his strong engineering background to tackle environmental challenges. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Marine Engineering and Technology from Sun Yat-sen University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the National University of Singapore. Zhen’s research harnesses the power of machine learning to enhance and optimize electrochemical advanced oxidation processes, aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial effluent treatment, contributing to more sustainable and advanced water purification methods. Contact: e0724638@u.nus.edu
Wee Joon Teo (PhD candidate)
Wee Joon Teo is a dedicated PhD candidate at EWAT research group, exploring cutting-edge water treatment solutions. His research delves into the development of innovative piezoelectric materials, both alone and coupled with ceramic membranes, to revolutionize water treatment applications. By leveraging these advanced materials, he aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of water purification technologies. Contact: e0031233@u.nus.edu
Xinyuan Du (Master’s student)
Xinyuan (Jade) Du is a Master of Science student in Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore, researching electrochemical technologies for treating industrial effluents. She is enthusiastic about sustainable technologies, environmental assessment, and business strategies, she is an active speaker, quick learner, and highly efficient in applying her skills and passion.
Jade also enjoys art appreciation, graphic design, and content creation. In her spare time, she indulges in photography, traveling, jogging, and reading. Contact: e1019969@u.nus.edu
Former Members
Dr. Deng Jinghui
Dr. Deng Jinghui is a former PhD student whose research focused on developing floating electrodes and carbon black composites to improve the electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Her work contributed to advancing disinfection processes and electro-Fenton reaction for the mineralization of persistent organic pollutants.
Dr. Xu Jianxiong (Research Fellow)
Xu Jianxiong, an avid traveler and food enthusiast, was previously a Research Fellow in EWAT group at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NUS. Her research focused on the fabrication of photoanodes for applications in photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) and the electro-Fenton (EF) process, contributing to advancements in sustainable treatment technologies.
Dr. Loh Wei Hao (Research Fellow)
Dr. Loh Wei Hao, a former Research Fellow of the EWAT group, first joined as a Final Year Project (FYP) student in 2015/2016, achieving the top position in his cohort. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering from NUS in July 2016. Following graduation, Dr. Loh began his career as a Research Engineer at the Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory, focusing on Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) combined with biological treatment for industrial wastewater management until the end of 2020. Subsequently, he contributed to a PUB R&D project investigating the impact of dosing iron-containing sludge from waterworks on treatment performance and membrane fouling within a pilot-scale integrated membrane bioreactor system.
During this period, Dr. Loh concurrently pursued his PhD research and successfully defended his thesis in October 2021. He possesses extensive expertise in environmental chemistry, electrochemistry, and advanced oxidation processes for water and wastewater treatment, as well as hands-on experience in operating biological treatment systems.
Dr. Jiang Huan
Zhou Dian (Master’s student)
Zhou Dian a former master’s student at EWAT group. His research focused on the use carbon powder to improve the oxygen reduction via 2 electrons at carbon felt cathodes.
Bobin Joseph (Master’s student)
Bobin Joseph is a former environmental engineering master’s student under EWAT group. He also finished a graduate degree course in technology for environmental sustainability. He’s interested in biological waste treatment of various waste water streams. He also possesses a mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree.
Niu Jing (Master’s student)
Niu Jing is a former environmental engineering master’s student at EWAT group. She worked on electrochemical treatment of industrial wastewater with a pre-pilot prototype. Cooking, painting, and basketball are some of her favorite pastimes.
Riccardo Muzzi (PhD)
Dr. Riccardo Muzzi is a former PhD student from Italy. His research focused in the study of wastewater toxicity evolution during its electrochemical treatment. Contact: e0149669@u.nus.edu
Hugo Olvera-Vargas (Research Fellow)
Dr. Hugo Olvera-Vargas a former research fellow at EWAT group. Previously, he was postdoctoral fellow at Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France. He obtained his MSc degree in Analytical Chemistry at the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Mexico, and his PhD in Chemistry and Environmental Science at the University of Paris-Est, France (jointly with the UNESCO-IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, The Netherlands). He has expertise in environmental chemistry, electrochemistry and advanced oxidation processes for water remediation. His research lines are focused on electrochemical technologies for industrial wastewater treatment and the degradation of contaminants of emerging concern (mechanisms and kinetics). Dr. Hugo has published several scientific articles and presented his work in numerous international conferences. Currently, Dr. Olvera-Vargas has an academic position at the Institute of Renewable Energy in Mexico. Contact: huolv@ier.unam.mx
Zuxin Wang (Research Fellow)
Dr. Zuxin Wang is a former EWAT group doctoral student. During her PhD studies, her research focused on the application of electro-Fenton for industrial wastewater treatment and the development of high performance durable cathode materials. She collaborated as a research fellow in EWAT group for a year, optimizing the electro-coagulation process for the treatment of sludge from a local farm. Nowadays, Dr. Wang started an academic position as a lecturer in her hometown of Jilin in China at the School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University. Contact: wzuxin@gmail.com
Dr. Fengxia Deng
Fengxia is a former PhD exchange student who worked in our laboratory during a year. After returning to China, she obtained her PhD degree from the School of Environmental, Harbin Institute of Technology. Nowadays, Dr. Deng works at the Harbin Institute of Technology, where her main research topic is electrochemical advanced oxidation of refractory organic wastewater. Aside from scientific research, she is also passionate about belly dancing. Contact: dengfx_hit@163.com
Dr. Xingyu Wu
Xingxu is a former PhD exchange student who worked from January 2021 to January 2022 in our research group. Her research focused on the study of the effect of salinity concentration in the electro-Fenton process during the treatment of industrial wastewater.
Final Year Project Students (undergraduate)
2018-2019
2017-2018
2016-2017
2015-2016
