Dr. Shegufa Shetranjiwalla-Merchant
Dr. Shegufa Shetranjiwalla-Merchant
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Dr. Shegufa is an Associate Professor in the School of Science and the Environment at the Grenfell campus of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her research areas include interdisciplinary circular and eco-design of functional bio-based materials from biomass and commodity plastic resources. She develops biomaterials for coatings and packaging applications. She uses green chemistry and life-cycle assessment metrics to quantify the environmental impacts of chemical products and processes in her research and teaching.She teaches organic, polymer, and green chemistry and environmental toxicology to undergraduate students and teaches graduate courses in circular design and life cycle analysis.Shegufa invites industry and community partners into her research and in the classroom to integrate experiential industry- and community-relevant training and sensitivity that will empower a skilled workforce for a just net-zero transition.In her downtime, Shegufa loves to sit down over dinner or coffee with her daughters, family, friends, and students to engage in conversation and learning.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Navneet Kaur
Dr. Navneet Kaur
Dr. Navneet Kaur is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Laboratory for Eco-design, Green Chemistry And Circular Innovation (LEGACI), Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has been working in collaboration with the Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development (CASD), Marine Institute, MUN, since September, 2025. Her research lies at the intersection of applied physics, analytical chemistry, and biophotonics, with a focus on developing innovative sensing technologies for environmental and biological applications.
Dr. Kaur holds a strong academic foundation in physics, having completed her Bachelor’s degree (Honors) in Physics from the University of Delhi, India, followed by a Master’s degree in Physics (Optics) from Banasthali University, India. After moving to Canada in 2018, she pursued a second Master’s degree (thesis-based, Condensed Matter and Optical Physics) at Lakehead University, which led to her PhD in Chemistry and Materials Science (Applied Physics) at the same institution. Her doctoral research focused on the development of fiber-optic plasmonic sensors and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the ultra-sensitive detection of trace chemicals. She designed and fabricated nanostructured optical probes capable of real-time trace detection, with applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and biomedical sensing.
At LEGACI, her research focuses on advancing analytical approaches for complex biological and marine systems, with an emphasis on converting marine biomass into high-value products through circularity principles. She is also contributing to the development of circular economy (CE) models for Newfoundland’s fisheries. Dr. Kaur is particularly interested in translating advanced optical and nanomaterial-based techniques into practical, field-deployable solutions.
Dr. Kaur brings a strong interdisciplinary background and is passionate about collaboration, mentoring students, and bridging fundamental science with real-world applications.
Dr. Kaur holds a strong academic foundation in physics, having completed her Bachelor’s degree (Honors) in Physics from the University of Delhi, India, followed by a Master’s degree in Physics (Optics) from Banasthali University, India. After moving to Canada in 2018, she pursued a second Master’s degree (thesis-based, Condensed Matter and Optical Physics) at Lakehead University, which led to her PhD in Chemistry and Materials Science (Applied Physics) at the same institution. Her doctoral research focused on the development of fiber-optic plasmonic sensors and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the ultra-sensitive detection of trace chemicals. She designed and fabricated nanostructured optical probes capable of real-time trace detection, with applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and biomedical sensing.
At LEGACI, her research focuses on advancing analytical approaches for complex biological and marine systems, with an emphasis on converting marine biomass into high-value products through circularity principles. She is also contributing to the development of circular economy (CE) models for Newfoundland’s fisheries. Dr. Kaur is particularly interested in translating advanced optical and nanomaterial-based techniques into practical, field-deployable solutions.
Dr. Kaur brings a strong interdisciplinary background and is passionate about collaboration, mentoring students, and bridging fundamental science with real-world applications.
Dr. Subramaniyasharma Sivaraman
Dr. Subramaniyasharma Sivaraman
Dr. Sivaraman Subramaniyasharma is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Memorial University of Newfoundland, based in Corner Brook, Canada, since March 2026. As a sustainability expert, his research lies at the intersection of environmental engineering, sustainable chemical processing, and resource recovery, with a primary focus on advancing circular economy models and optimizing green industrial processes.
Dr. Subramaniyasharma holds a strong academic foundation in engineering, having completed his master’s degree in industrial biotechnology, followed by a PhD at SASTRA Deemed to be University in India. Following his doctoral studies, he furthered his academic and research expertise as a postdoctoral researcher at SRM University, AP. His research trajectory is sharply focused on the sustainable thermochemical conversion of biomass, specifically transforming agricultural and industrial waste streams into high-value biochar and bio-oil.
In his current role, his work centers on the rigorous application and practical implementation of sustainability metrics for complex industrial operations, including Rare Earth Element (REE) extraction processes. He uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) to evaluate the overall environmental footprint and economic viability of these industrial-scale operations. Leveraging advanced software platforms like OpenLCA and SuperPro Designer, he specializes in translating complex environmental data into actionable sustainability strategies. Dedicated to advancing the global dialogue on sustainable engineering, Dr. Subramaniyasharma is a member of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES).
Dr. Subramaniyasharma holds a strong academic foundation in engineering, having completed his master’s degree in industrial biotechnology, followed by a PhD at SASTRA Deemed to be University in India. Following his doctoral studies, he furthered his academic and research expertise as a postdoctoral researcher at SRM University, AP. His research trajectory is sharply focused on the sustainable thermochemical conversion of biomass, specifically transforming agricultural and industrial waste streams into high-value biochar and bio-oil.
In his current role, his work centers on the rigorous application and practical implementation of sustainability metrics for complex industrial operations, including Rare Earth Element (REE) extraction processes. He uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) to evaluate the overall environmental footprint and economic viability of these industrial-scale operations. Leveraging advanced software platforms like OpenLCA and SuperPro Designer, he specializes in translating complex environmental data into actionable sustainability strategies. Dedicated to advancing the global dialogue on sustainable engineering, Dr. Subramaniyasharma is a member of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES).
Dr. Srividhya Krishnan
Dr. Srividhya Krishnan
Dr. Srividhya Krishnan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Memorial University of Newfoundland, based in Corner Brook, Canada, since March 2026. As a biotechnologist, her research lies at the intersection of environmental engineering and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), with a primary focus on environmental impact assessment of CCUS technologies.She holds a strong academic foundation in engineering, having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, followed by a Master’s degree in Industrial Biotechnology, and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from SASTRA University, Tamil Nadu, India. She qualified the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), through which she received a fellowship during her master’s studies. During her Ph.D., she was awarded the Senior Research Fellowship by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India.Her doctoral research focused on the bioprospecting of wheat straw aqueous phase for combating multidrug-resistant pathogens. She developed a disinfectant derived from the aqueous phase and designed a custom CDC biofilm reactor to evaluate its efficacy against pathogens present on hospital surfaces.She brings a multidisciplinary perspective through her expertise in thermochemical conversion, circularity, microbiology, and her experience in biopolymers and fermentation processes. In her current role, her work focuses on assessing the environmental impacts of CCUS using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Graduate Students
Graduate Students
Subarna Dey
Subarna Dey
Subarna Dey, recently awarded Masters in Boreal Ecosystems and Agricultural Science from MUN is a researcher specializing in sustainable materials synthesis, circular economy, biomass valorization, and industrial process innovation. His research focuses on transforming marine and industrial by-products and waste streams into high-value coating materials for plastic packaging, wood, and other substrates. His work integrates green chemistry, process engineering, life cycle assessment (LCA), techno-economic analysis, and sustainability metrics to develop scalable solutions for industrial applications. He has extensive experience in the conversion of crustacean shells, fish oils, and other waste-derived resources into value-added materials, with particular emphasis on industrial feasibility and commercialization potential. Prior to his research career in Canada, Mr. Dey gained significant industrial experience in coatings, laboratory operations, process optimization, quality assurance, manufacturing, and project management. This combination of industrial and academic expertise enables him to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical implementation in industry. His current research interests include coatings, circular bioeconomy, sustainable manufacturing, environmental impact assessment, and the development of innovative technologies that support the transition toward an environmentally friendly and resource-efficient economy."
If your research interests align with our group, please reach out to sshetranjiwalla@mun.ca to discuss potential opportunities
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