Aman Ullah, PhD
Contact
Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Ag, Food & Nutri Sci Dept
- ullah2@ualberta.ca
Overview
About
Degree
PhD (with Distinction): University of Genova, Italy/ visiting research scholar Southern Methodist University, USA
Job/Research Area
Utilization of Lipids, Polymers / Materials Chemistry
Awards
2022 - ASTech Awards Winner for the 33rd Annual ASTech Innovation Awards.
2021 - Innovation Awards 2021(Patent Awards) for “Conversion of lipids into olefins” and “Methods for converting glycerol to allyl compounds”.
2019 - ASTech Awards Finalists for the 30th Annual ASTech Innovation Awards.
2018 - ALES Research and Innovation Award for outstanding research contributions.
2015 - Nominated for ENI award in the “Protection of the Environment” category.
2012 - “Rising Star in Global Health” Awarded by Grand Challenges Canada.
Research
Major Responsibilities/Research Interests
Since their introduction at the beginning of the 20th century, the global production of petroleum-based plastics has continuously been increasing. It is almost impossible to imagine our future without the use of the plastics. Polymers have applications in very different areas such as packaging, automotive, aerospace, construction, electronics, medical, and other industrial fields. In the recent years, the development of the polymer nanocomposites has further improved their properties and broadened their applications. More recently, due to depleting petroleum resources and environmental concerns, the research efforts have been directed towards the utilization of the polymeric material from biodegradable and renewable resources as an environment friendly and sustainable alternative for the plastic production. However, the development of the enabling technologies to transform renewable resources into monomers and biopolymers and improvements in their physical properties are among the most pressing challenges and extremely important to be addressed for these materials to be used in wide range of applications. Exploitation of nanotechnology in the field of biopolymers is an emerging and cutting-edge research with future potential to address challenges to the bio-based polymeric materials.
Our major research interests are on the synthesis of monomers, biopolymers, nano-engineered biopolymers, nano-biocomposites and bioconjugates from renewable lipid resources for various applications. More specifically the research is focussed on: (1) the development of renewable monomers from lipids and preparation of biopolymers and biopolymer based nanocomposites for high performance industrial applications, (2) utilization of lipid and protein biopolymers for the preparation of bioconjugates and nano-structured biomaterials for water remediation and biodegradable packaging, (3) modification of lipids and bioconjugates for therapeutic and cosmetic applications.
Dr Ullah is a participant in the Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS) program sponsored by NSERC CREATE.
Publications
For full list of publications, please visit Utilization of Lipids - Polymers/Materials Chemistry Research Group
Teaching
AFNS 510 - Renewable Biomaterials:
This course deals with fundamentals in bio-based materials development, characterization, and various industrial applications. Current research, recent literature, and real-life applications of biomaterials/bionanomaterials in various industries are discussed throughout the course.
NUFS 201 - Physical Principles of Food Structure and Functionality:
Theory and application of physical principles important to understanding agri-food structure and physical functionality. Topics include food materials science, flow, and mechanical properties of foods. Physical concepts examined include mechanics, temperature, heat and thermodynamics.
NUFS 372/373 - Food Chemistry:
The chemistry of the major and minor food components.
Announcements
Applicants with strong academic backgrounds, communication skills, and training in polymer chemistry and chemical/material engineering are of particular interest. Currently no funded positions are available but candidates with external scholarships funding will be considered with priority. Please feel free to contact Dr. Ullah for more information on current projects or to inquire about positions available in lab.
We thank all applicants for their interests in advance but only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
Courses
AFNS 507 - Science and Technology of Cereal and Oilseed Processing
Biological, biochemical, chemical, and technological aspects of the processing of cereals and oilseeds. Not to be taken if credit received for NU FS 406. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
AFNS 599 - Advanced Agri-Chemical Analysis
Advanced analysis of food and agri-industrial materials with a focus on good laboratory practices (GLP), chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC), mass spectrometry, and other modern techniques from sample preparation to analysis of data. Not to be taken if credit received for NU FS 499. Prerequisite: NU FS 372 or consent of instructor.
AFNS 602 - Graduate Reading Project
Individual study. Critical reviews of selected literature under the direction of a Faculty member. Note: May be taken more than once if the topic is different. Prerequisite: consent of Department.
AFNS 900 - Directed Research Project (Course-based Masters)
Individual study supervised by the student's supervisor, requiring the preparation of a comprehensive report, presentation of a seminar and oral examination by the student's supervisor and one additional faculty member.
NU FS 372 - Food Chemistry
The fundamental chemistry of major and minor components of food and food additives. The relationship between chemistry and function in food systems is discussed. Laboratory emphasizes analytical techniques. Not to be taken if credit received for NU FS 373. Prerequisites: CHEM 102, (CHEM 164 or CHEM 261) and CHEM 263.
NU FS 373 - Food Chemistry
The fundamental chemistry of major and minor components of food and food additives. The relationship between chemistry and function in food systems is discussed. The project component emphasizes current topics in food chemistry. Not to be taken if credit received for NU FS 372. Prerequisite: (CHEM 164 or CHEM 261) and CHEM 263. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 102.
NU FS 406 - Science and Technology of Cereal and Oilseed Processing
Biological, biochemical, chemical, and technological aspects of the processing of cereals and oilseeds. Prerequisite: 3 units in introductory Biochemistry or Biological Science, or NU FS 374.
NU FS 499 - Advanced Agri-Chemical Analysis
Advanced analysis of food and agri-industrial materials with a focus on good laboratory practices (GLP), chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC), mass spectrometry, and other modern techniques from sample preparation to analysis of data. Prerequisite: NU FS 372.