PhD
Civil Engineering (Concentration: Environmental/Water Resources Engineering)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
2021
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Faculty
Faculty
Sara Kamanmalek, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department/Office
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CEA
School/College
- College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA)
Additional Positions
-
Research and Education for Promoting Safety
Biography
Dr. Sara KamanMalek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Howard University. She earned her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a focus on Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2021, with a dissertation entitled “An Integrative Approach to Identify and Assess Streams Susceptible to Antibiotic Discharges.” KamanMalek has held postdoctoral research positions at Florida State University and Smith College, where she focused on projects involving machine learning applications for predicting harmful algal blooms, investigating the impacts of microplastics on the bioavailability of silver nanoparticles, and developing decision support tools to manage nutrient pollution and promote environmental justice.
KamanMalek's research focuses on advancing equitable and sustainable water management through the integration of modeling, laboratory analysis, and field studies. Her work addresses critical environmental engineering challenges, including assessing emerging contaminants such as microplastics and antibiotics in surface water. By leveraging tools such as machine learning and geospatial analysis, she develops innovative models to predict water quality and designs strategies to mitigate pollution in vulnerable watersheds, with a particular emphasis on disadvantaged communities.
KamanMalek is dedicated to both teaching and mentoring, offering environmental engineering courses that seamlessly integrate theoretical foundations with practical, real-world applications. In addition to her teaching and research, she actively serves the community as an academic advisor to student organizations including Howard University Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Howard University Water and Environment Association (HUWEA). KamanMalek also contributes to science communication by engaging in conferences, panels, and outreach efforts that foster STEM education and promote environmental justice.
Education & Expertise
Education
MSc
Chemical Engineering (Concentration: Environmental Engineering)
Sharif University of Technology
2017
BSc
Chemical Engineering
University of Isfahan
2015
Expertise
Water Quality and Watershed Management
Investigating water quality challenges in surface waters and watersheds, including nutrient pollution, harmful algal blooms, and the impacts of climate variability. Research focuses on developing predictive models and decision-support tools to improve water resource management and support sustainable solutions.Emerging Contaminants and Environmental Risk Assessment
Examining the occurrence, fate, transport, and ecological risks of emerging contaminants, including microplastics, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments. Research integrates laboratory experiments, field investigations, and environmental modeling to understand contaminant behavior and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health.Machine Learning and Geospatial Environmental Modeling
Applying machine learning, geographic information systems (GIS), and spatial analysis to predict environmental conditions, identify pollution hotspots, and assess water quality risks. Research emphasizes integrating environmental datasets and advanced computational methods to develop predictive models and data-driven decision-support tools.Environmental Justice and Sustainable Water Management
Investigating environmental disparities and the disproportionate impacts of pollution on underserved and vulnerable communities. Research integrates environmental exposure assessment, geospatial analysis, and socioeconomic indicators to identify environmental inequities and inform equitable, sustainable water management strategies.Academics
Academics
CIEG 207: Introduction to Environmental Engineering (Undergraduate)
CIEG-207. Introduction to Environmental Engineering, 3 credits. Introduces concepts in water supply, water and wastewater treatment, air quality, solid and hazardous waste management, and social and ethical considerations. Provides a brief history and background of environmental engineering. Prerequisites: CHEM-003. Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Location: LKD 2026.
CIEG 328: Unit Operations in Environmental Engineering (Undergraduate)
CIEG-328. Unit Operations in Environmental Engineering, 3 credits. Analysis and basic design of treatment facilities for the remediation of air, water and land pollution. Prerequisite: CIEG-207. Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Location: LKD 2026.CIEG 445: Undergraduate Research in Environmental Engineering (Undergraduate)
CIEG-445. Undergraduate Research, 3 credits. Requires a student to conduct research under the directives of an instructor. Students must seek and receive the approval of the instructor prior to enrollment in this course. The selected research topic must broaden the student's understanding of one of the five emphasis areas. Prerequisite: CIEG-351CIEG 502: Physical/Chemical Processes for Water Treatment (Graduate)
CIEG-502. Physical/Chemical Processes for Water Treatment (Graduate). Principles and applications of physical and chemical processes used in water and wastewater treatment. Emphasis on process fundamentals, treatment technologies, and the analysis and design of treatment systems for contaminant removal.CIEG 511: Environmental Chemistry (Graduate)
CIEG-511. Environmental Chemistry (Graduate). Study of fundamental chemical principles governing the behavior, fate, and transport of contaminants in natural and engineered environments. Topics include chemical equilibria, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, and chemical processes affecting water, soil, and air quality.CIEG 508: Environmental Engineering (Graduate)
CIEG-508. Environmental Engineering (Graduate). Advanced study of environmental engineering principles and applications related to water quality, pollution control, and environmental protection. Emphasis on the analysis of environmental systems, contaminant transport, and sustainable engineering solutions.Research
Research
Specialty
Water Quality and Watershed Management, Emerging Contaminants, Environmental Risk Assessment, Machine Learning and Geospatial Modeling, and Environmental Justice.Group Information
Research Group
Our research group at Howard University focuses on addressing environmental challenges through water quality modeling, emerging contaminant research, geospatial analysis, machine learning, and environmental justice. Our team includes graduate and undergraduate researchers working on interdisciplinary projects to advance sustainable and equitable environmental solutions.
Current Graduate Researchers
- Joyceline Adom Frimpong — Ph.D. Student, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Howard University (2025–Present)
- Bushra Mahzabin — Ph.D. Student, Civil Engineering, Howard University (2026–Present)
Current Undergraduate Researchers
- Alicia Knight — Howard University (2026–Present)
Research: Predicting microplastic concentrations downstream of wastewater treatment plant discharges. - Kathleen Awason — Howard University (2026–Present)
Research: Spatial analysis of PFAS concentrations downstream of wastewater treatment plants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. - Gabrielle Belcon — Howard University (2026–Present)
Research: Environmental justice impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). - Loor Elbedour, Jamier Harris, and Divonna Smith — Howard University (2026–Present)
Research: Exploring internal resources and strategies for rebuilding water infrastructure in Syria.
Former Graduate Researchers
- Ali Salou Moumouni — Florida A&M University (2022–2024)
Research: Machine learning applications for predicting E. coli risks and evaluating green infrastructure. - Elham Mahmod por — Florida State University (2023–2024)
Research: Predicting harmful algal blooms in estuarine environments. - Arunan Manickavelu — University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2020)
Research: Mapping wastewater treatment plants and discharge locations across the United States.
Former Undergraduate Researchers
- Kelly Lige — Howard University (2026)
Research: Cumulative environmental burdens of particulate matter and urban infrastructure in Washington, D.C. - Jaydn Decuir — Howard University (2025–2026)
Research: Strategies and interventions for mitigating distracted pedestrian behavior. - Brooklynn Blackwell — Howard University (2025)
Research: Pedestrian safety and distraction mitigation strategies. - Jessica Smith — Florida State University (2022–2024)
Research: Green infrastructure effectiveness for runoff reduction under climate change scenarios. - Hannah Hutton — Smith College (2022)
Research: Effects of microplastics on silver nanoparticle bioaccumulation in Daphnia magna. - Noor Sheikh — Smith College (2022)
Research: Effects of microplastics on silver nanoparticle bioaccumulation in Daphnia magna.
Publications and Presentations
Publications and Presentations
Google Scholar Link
For the most up-to-date list of my research publications, please visit my: Google Scholar profile
Polystyrene microplastics alter the accumulation and elimination dynamics of silver nanoparticles in Daphnia magna
Kamanmalek, S., MacDonald, P., Hutton, H., Sheikh, N., Croteau, M. N., Alam, M., ... & Ismail, N. (2026). Polystyrene microplastics alter the accumulation and elimination dynamics of silver nanoparticles in Daphnia magna. Environmental Chemistry, 23(5), EN26029. https://connectsci.au/en/article/23/5/EN26029/275344/Polystyrene-microplastics-alter-the-accumulation
Spatial hazards of antibiotic resistance in wastewater-impacted streams during low instream flow conditions
Kamanmalek, S., Brooks, B. W., & Rice-Boayue, J. (2022). Spatial hazards of antibiotic resistance in wastewater-impacted streams during low instream flow conditions. Acs Es&T Water, 2(3), 457-464. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsestwater.1c00386
Development of a national antibiotic multimetric index for identifying watersheds vulnerable to antibiotic pollution
Kamanmalek, S., & Rice-Boayue, J. (2023). Development of a national antibiotic multimetric index for identifying watersheds vulnerable to antibiotic pollution. Environmental Pollution, 339, 122670. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026974912301672X
Advancing equitable stormwater management: A decision support tool integrating best practices for nutrient removal and environmental justice
Kamanmalek, S., & Alamdari, N. (2024). Advancing equitable stormwater management: A decision support tool integrating best practices for nutrient removal and environmental justice. Ecological Informatics, 80, 102496. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574954124000384
