Dr. Deb P. Jaisi joined the Elimelech Group in June of 2007 as the Interdepartmental Bateman Scholar, and is co-advised by Dr. Ruth E. Blake (Geology and Geophysics) and Dr. Menachem Elimelech (Environmental Engineering).
Dr. Jaisi has worked both in research and development. He worked as an engineering geologist on hydropower projects in Nepal (1998-1999), lecturer at Tribhuvan University in Nepal (1999 - 2001) and research associate in hazardous waste landfill liner research in Thailand (2001-2003). Dr. Jaisi has been awarded several prizes and decorations, including Gold Medal by His Majesty the King of Nepal (outstanding performance in MSc degree research, Tribhuvan University, Nepal), Deeswasmongkul Prize (outstanding performance in MS degree, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand), first Annual Geology Doctoral Award (outstanding PhD degree research, Miami University, OH), and First Runner-up Award (carbon nanotube transport, Environ. Sci. Technol.).
Dr. Jaisi's research involves experimental approaches designed to facilitate the understanding of interactions of contaminants and nutrients at mineral-water and mineral-water-bacteria interfaces in natural and engineered environments. His PhD research focused on iron redox reactions and biogeochemistry, biogeochemical cycling of metals and long-term immobilization of radionuclides. His results show a novel application of redox modified smectites for reduction and long-term immobilization of heavy metals and radionuclides. His postdoctoral research at Yale focuses on two major areas: 1) fate and transport of carbon nanotubes in subsurface environments; cytotoxic effects of carbon nanotubes to subsurface bacteria; and 2) biogeochemical cycling of phosphate in contaminated and natural environments using stable isotope techniques.
