Afrooz Bayat, currently in her first year of her PhD in Environmental Engineering, is motivated to further her academic career to be able to take further steps in creating a better environment and doing her part to make a better world for the next generation.
She completed her Master in Energy Systems Engineering (Energy and Environment) at the University of Tehran in Iran. During her masters, she investigated the anaerobic digestion of biodegradable wastes for biogas production.
Afrooz moved to New Zealand with her husband, who is also currently a PhD student at the University of Canterbury, seeking an overseas experience as they love to meet new people from all over the world.
Her first position in New Zealand was as a research engineer at the University of Canterbury. This was when she realised her passion for research and decided to enrol in a PhD to further her studies. She is now working on biogas upgrading via bioelectrochemical systems. Her aim is to enhance the biogas to a standard level that can be used as a sustainable and renewable energy source.
Afrooz is most interested in practical projects that involve laboratory experiments. She is also working as a research assistant alongside her PhD on an exciting water treatment project with a goal to keep our rivers contaminant-free.
In her free time, she loves going hiking in the amazing nature of New Zealand, doing yoga and being around animals such as horses, llamas, dogs and cute New Zealand birds.
