Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering
Education
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, 1990, Purdue University
M.S. in Chemical Engineering, 1986, Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S. in Engineering Science and Chemistry, 1984, Trinity University
Research Specialties
- Sustainable groundwater use
- Environmental waste treatment processes
- Renewable biofuels & biochemicals
- Bioremediation processes
- Plastics biodegradation
- Chemical process sustainability
Research Interests and Topics
View the PDF of Research Topics from Dr. Alexander
Professional Experience
- Associate Professor, TAMUK (Chem & Nat Gas Engr), 2015—present
- Chemical Engineer, Leidos Inc and SAIC, 2001 – present.
- Adjunct Professor, Trinity University (Engr Science), 2006 – 2010
- Environmental Technology, Operational Technologies Corp, 1993—2001.
- Research Engineering, Southwest Research Institute, 1990 – 1993.
Research Grants / Awarded Projects
External Grants
- PI, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, “Uranium Mining Outlook for the State of Texas”, 2023-2024.
- PI, Halliburton Foundation, “Preparing Future Workforce for Sustainable Environment with Data and Computer-driven STEM Training”, 2022-2024.
- Co-PI, National Institute for Standards and Technology, “Develop, Implement and Integrate Standard Education Modules in Mechanical, Chemical and Electrical Engineering Curricula”, 2023-2025.
- Co-PI, National Science Foundation, “Pathways of Excellence to Promote Seamless Transitions in the Engineering Majors”, 2019-2025.
- Co-PI, Halliburton Foundation, “Intervention in Middle and High School Science and STEM Classes to Increase Interest”, 2018-2019.
- Sr Personnel, National Science Foundation, “CREST Center for Sustainable Water Use (CREST-SWU)”, 2019-2025.
Internal (TAMUK) Grants
- PI, Title V FP2S Grant for Course Redesign, TAMUK, “Incorporation of Active Learning for Improved Critical Thinking Skill Development in CHEN 2372”, 2022.
- PI, Title V FP2S Grant for Course Redesign, TAMUK, “Incorporation of Research-focused Design Project into the GEEN 1201 CHNG Section”, 2021.
- PI, TAMUK Council for Undergraduate Research (TCUR), “Oily Sludge Biodegradation Enhancements Using Crude Oil Spill Technologies”, 2018.
- PI, Title V I-CARE Grant for Course Redesign, TAMUK, “Understanding Resource Limitations by Incorporating Sustainability Concepts into Chemical Process Design”, 2017.
- PI, University Research Award, TAMUK, “Microalgal Triglyceride Production in Brackish Waters for Biodiesel Production”, 2016-2017.
- PI, TAMUK TCUR, “Carbon Release Profile from a Biowall Used for Groundwater Treatment”, 2016.
Research and Scholarly Activities
Recent Publications
- Aamir, H.M., Alexander, M.L., ul Haq, T. (2023) “Surface and Structural Modulation of Waste-Derived, Boron-Doped Carbon to Enhance its Adsorption Efficiency for Lead Removal from Wastewater”, ChemistrySelect(online) doi.org/10.1002/slct.202204249.
- Bashir S., Li C., Huang Y., Palakurthi S., Wang Z., Olaseni Y., Villarreal P., Houf W., Alexander M., Ren J., Liu J., Wet-chemistry Derived Nanomaterials and Their Multidisciplinary Applications (Book Chapter 2A), Wang, S. Bashir and J. Liu, NanoChemistry: From Theory to Application for In-Depth Understanding of Nanomaterials, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin, Germany (ISBN 9783110739855), 2022
- Ajala, S.O., Alexander, M.L. (2020) “Application of Bio-based Alkali to Induce Flocculation of Microalgae for Biofuel Production”, Biomass and Bioenergy, 132 (2020) 105431. DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2019.105431.
- Ajala, S.O., Alexander, M.L. (2020) “Evaluating the Effects of Agitation by Shaking, Stirring and Air Sparging on the Growth and Biochemical Compounds Accumulation in Microalgae Cells”, Biofuels (online), DOI: 10.1080/17597269.2020.1714161.
- Alexander, M. L. “In situ Treatment of a Dilute Chlorinated Solvent Plume in an Acidic Aerobic Aquifer”, Remediation, 2020; 30:25–35. DOI: 10.1002/rem.21641.
- Alexander, M. L., Alarwan, N., Chandrasekaran, M., Sundaram, A., Milde, T., Rasool, S., “Preliminary Results from Experiments and Modeling for Investigation of Oily Sludge Biodegradation in a Wastewater Pond Environment”, Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 1659; DOI: 10.3390/app10051659.
- Ajala, S.O., Alexander, M.L. (2019) “Assessment of Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Oocystis minuta for removal of sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate in wastewater”, Intl J Energy and Environmental Engineering (online), DOI: 10.1007/s40095-019-00333-0.
- Ajala, S.O., Alexander, M.L. (2019) “Multi-objective Optimization Studies of Microalgae Dewatering by utilizing Bio-based Alkali: A Case Study of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Genetic Algorithm (GA)”, SN Applied Sciences (2020) 2:387. DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-2097-5.
- Alexander, M. L., Adeniran, A., and Tovar, C. (2017) “Modeling of Water Quality Downgradient of a Mulch Biowall”, Remediation. 2017:28:55–61. DOI: 10.1002/rem.2154
Thesis and Project Advisor
- Alexander has served as the thesis advisor for one Ph.D. student, 17 Masters Thesis students and 23 Masters Project students from 2015 to present.
- Alexander has served as the research mentor for 17 undergraduate students in chemical engineering and environmental engineering research from 2016 to present.
Professional Affiliations
- Member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers (33 years), Director (3 years) and 2nd/1st/chair (3 years) of Environmental Division
- Member of American Chemical Society (35 years)
- Member of American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (10 years)
- American Society of Engineering Education (5 years)
Professional Registrations
- Professional Engineer –States of Texas (PE #85856) and Alabama (PE #34718)
- Board Certified Environmental Engineer – American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists
Professional Awards
- Presidential Award Outstanding Faculty Member (inaugural year), TAMUK, 2024
- Outstanding Teacher Award, Gulf Southwest Section of American Society of Engineering Education, 2023
- Dean’s Award for Service Excellence, Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering, 91AV, 2022
- Honorary member of Golden Key International Honor Society, inducted February 2020
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering, 91AV, 2019
- Technology Innovator of the Year, 91AV;M U-Kingsville, April 2018
- Teacher of the Year Award Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering Department, 91AV, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020
- San Antonio Business Journals’ 40 Under 40 List (1996)
- S. Patent #5,348,803 – Microcapsules and Method for Degrading Hydrocarbons (1994)
