Professor Dr. Ghassan Hameed Abdul-Majeed, Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Baghdad, chaired the Ph.D. dissertation defense committee of postgraduate student Israa Sabah Abbas from the Environmental Engineering Department. The defense took place on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in the department’s discussion hall. The dissertation, titled “Evaluation of the Photocatalytic Degradation Process of Sulfosulfuron Pesticide in Contaminated Water,” was supervised by Professor Dr. Abeer Ibrahim Mousa.
The dissertation aimed to investigate the efficiency of removing Sulfosulfuron pesticide from water using advanced oxidation processes based on photocatalysis. The study compared the performance of two photocatalysts: one prepared via green biosynthesis (ZnO), and the other a novel advanced nanocomposite (rGO/Fe₃O₄/Bi₂S₃/MgZnO). Various operational parameters were examined, including pH level, light intensity, pesticide concentration, and catalyst dosage, under both batch and continuous flow systems. Multiple analytical techniques were employed to characterize the materials and assess their efficiency.
The researcher recommended conducting applied studies using real drainage water contaminated with pesticides, utilizing natural light sources such as sunlight, and expanding the scope of research to include other pesticides and the development of new nanomaterials. She also emphasized the importance of performing material testing within Iraq to ensure sample integrity.
Following an in-depth scientific discussion and evaluation of the student’s defense, the committee decided to award her the Ph.D. degree in Environmental Engineerig
