PHD Scholars Projects

Zexin Liu is a PSEG PhD Scholar and a doctoral student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, advised by Prof. Lei Wu. His research focuses on integrating energy and environmental justice into power system operations and market design. By developing justice-aware technical frameworks, Zexin aims to ensure equitable resource allocation, mitigate market price volatility, and provide affordable access to clean energy.

Parisa Javidan is a Ph.D. candidate at Stevens Institute of Technology whose research centers on developing sustainable, low‑cost solutions for removing emerging contaminants from water systems. Her work focuses on repurposing water treatment residuals (WTRs)—an abundant byproduct of drinking‑water purification—as effective sorbents for mitigating per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environments. Her research has demonstrated the potential of WTRs to capture and retain PFAS, offering an environmentally responsible reuse pathway for materials typically treated as waste. As a PSEG Ph.D. Research Scholar for Environmental Justice, Parisa is advancing this work by developing enhanced materials for stormwater infrastructure that both adsorb and light‑degrade PFAS, helping reduce disproportionate contamination burdens in urban and overburdened communities. Her research aims to translate sustainable materials and treatment strategies into practical, field‑ready tools that support equitable access to clean water and strengthen community resilience.

Tajkia Tamanna is a PhD scholar at Stevens Institute of Technology and a recipient of the PSEG PhD Scholarship. Her research focuses on intelligent energy systems, renewable energy integration, and optimization of power networks. She works on data-driven modeling and decision-making for sustainable and resilient energy infrastructures. She holds a strong academic background in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and previously served as a University Lecturer in EEE in Bangladesh. Tajkia aims to bridge theory and real-world applications in developing efficient and sustainable power systems.

Ritam Ghosh is a PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, with a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He has over three years of industry experience in electrochemical systems, including work on PEM-based technologies focused on diagnostics, MEA testing, and performance optimization.

His research focuses on advanced manufacturing of energy materials, particularly electrowriting of functional polymers for next-generation electrode architectures. His work aims to develop predictive frameworks linking material properties and processing conditions to structure and performance, enabling more efficient and scalable energy technologies.

By improving the performance and manufacturability of clean energy systems, his work contributes to broader environmental justice goals by supporting more accessible, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions for underserved communities.