Dr Shervin Kabiri’s research addresses one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” These highly persistent chemicals have been widely used in industrial and consumer products and are now found in soil, water, biosolids and ecosystems around the world. Their persistence and mobility make PFAS extremely difficult to remove once they enter the environment, creating long-term risks for environmental and human health.
A major challenge is that conventional treatment methods are often expensive, energy-intensive, or ineffective for some of the PFAS. Dr Kabiri’s work aims to develop practical and scalable approaches to remove, destroy or immobilise PFAS, particularly from contaminated soils, water and biosolids. Her research combines environmental chemistry, materials science and engineering to develop innovative treatment technologies and understand how PFAS behave in real-world environments.
Through strong collaboration with industry, government and research organisations, her work seeks to move beyond laboratory discoveries and translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions for managing PFAS contamination.
Dr Shervin Kabiri’s research is developing practical and scalable solutions to manage PFAS contamination by focusing on three complementary approaches: removing, destroying and immobilising PFAS. Her work has demonstrated that carbon-based materials, including activated carbon and biochar, can significantly reduce the mobility and leaching of PFAS from contaminated soils, helping to prevent their movement into water and food systems. She is also investigating innovative technologies, including high-shear mixing and foam-based processes, to rapidly remove PFAS from contaminated water.
More recently, Dr Kabiri has expanded her research to PFAS in biosolids, investigating how PFAS behave during wastewater treatment and the risks associated with applying biosolids to agricultural land. Her research combines laboratory experiments, field studies and modelling to understand PFAS transfer through soil, plants, livestock and water.
Her current research is focused on developing treatment technologies that can be translated from laboratory-scale experiments to practical, large-scale applications. By working closely with industry, government and research organisations, she aims to develop solutions that are not only scientifically effective but also economically and environmentally sustainable.