The Ohio State University, United States
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🎓 Academic Background
Dr. Saba earned her Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from The Ohio State University (2013–2017) under a Fulbright Scholarship, following her MS in Environmental Engineering from the National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan (2008–2010). She also holds a MSc in Environmental Sciences from Fatima Jinnah Women University (2006–2008) and a BSc in Chemistry from the University of the Punjab (2003–2005). This diverse educational foundation has empowered her to bridge environmental science, biological systems, and engineering innovations.
👩🏫 Teaching & Mentorship
Dr. Saba has taught a broad spectrum of courses, from biotechnology and phytoremediation to sustainable waste management and bioenergy conversion. At Ohio State, she delivered and designed key graduate-level courses such as FABE 7220, FABE 5550, and FABENG 5540. She has mentored over a dozen graduate students, including international Ph.D. aspirants, and co-mentored students and associates in collaboration with Professors Katrina Cornish and Ann Christy. Her pedagogical approach emphasizes student empowerment, research leadership, and global competency.
🧪 Research Interests
Her research is centered on sustainable bioprocessing, biomanufacturing, and bioelectrochemical systems. Dr. Saba specializes in the valorization of food waste through conventional and electro-fermentation to produce biofuels and biohydrogen, supporting a circular economy. She is also contributing to the U.S.-based natural rubber latex production from non-tropical plants, with a commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and life cycle assessments. Her work extends to bioelectrochemical water treatment, aiming to protect both the ecosystem and public health.
🏅 Awards & Honors
Dr. Saba was the recipient of the Young Scientist Award for her oral presentation at the International Conference on Environmental Sciences in Melbourne (2012). She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for her doctoral studies at OSU and later received the LEGACY Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022–2024) from the College of Engineering. In 2023, she earned the Outstanding Service Award (Research) from OSU’s Industry Professional Advisory Group (IPAG), recognizing her significant impact in applied research.
🌍 Global Experience
Dr. Saba’s academic journey includes international research exchanges, having served as a Visiting Scholar at the National Research Institute for Environment and Agriculture, France (2016), and the University of California, Santa Barbara (2016). These experiences have enriched her cross-cultural perspective and enhanced her research collaboration capabilities.
🧑🔬 Professional Experience
Currently, Dr. Saba serves as a Research Scientist and is set to begin her role as Assistant Professor (Research) at Ohio State University starting August 2025. Her past appointments include Postdoctoral Scholar roles and Lecturer/Assistant Professor positions at PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Pakistan. Her dedication to scientific excellence and sustainable innovation has marked every role she has undertaken.
🔬 Scientific Memberships
Dr. Saba actively contributes to the global scientific community. She holds memberships in the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), The Electrochemical Society, and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), among others. These affiliations reflect her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to scientific advancement.
Notable Publications📝
📝Hydrochar for pollution remediation: Effect of process parameters, adsorption modeling, life cycle assessment and techno-economic evaluation
Author: Beenish Saba, Ann D. Christy, Ajay Shah
Journal: Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Year: 2024
📝Microbial phyto-power systems – A sustainable integration of phytoremediation and microbial fuel cells
Author: Beenish Saba, M. Khan, Ann D. Christy, B.V. Kjellerup
Journal: Bioelectrochemistry
Year: 2019
📝Decolorization of Reactive Black 5 and Reactive Blue 4 Dyes in Microbial Fuel Cells
Author: Beenish Saba, Ann D. Christy, T. Park, Z. Yu, K. Li, O.H. Tuovinen
Journal: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Year: 2018
📝Characterization and performance of anodic mixed culture biofilms in submersed microbial fuel cells
Author: Beenish Saba, Ann D. Christy, Z. Yu, A.C. Co, R. Islam, O.H. Tuovinen
Journal: Bioelectrochemistry
Year: 2017
📝Simultaneous Power Generation and Desalination of Microbial Desalination Cells Using Nannochloropsis salina (Marine Algae) Versus Potassium Ferricyanide as Catholytes
Author: Beenish Saba, Ann D. Christy, Z. Yu, A.C. Co, T. Park
Journal: Environmental Engineering Science
Year: 2017