Dr. Jejal Bathi is conducting field research at Warner Park, Chattanooga. Photo by Angela Foster.
At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, research is making a difference on and off campus.
For UC Foundation Associate Professor Jejal Bathi, making a difference means helping his community through his work in environmental and water resources engineering. A civil engineering professor working in the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, Bathi has studied potential solutions to emerging microplastic pollution in waterways.
Bathi also serves as coordinator of the environmental engineering program.
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Can you explain your research?
“We are exploring research in our regional context, particularly the metro-Chattanooga area, to better understand how our water systems—especially the water that’s making its way into rivers and lakes—are doing. Are the engineering infrastructure, some people call them best management practices, helping control microplastics? If so, by how much?
“That is a research area that my team is exploring. We had the opportunity to look at multiple locations in the metro-Chattanooga area. We found some interesting things. Unfortunately, microplastics are not good. Just like anywhere in the world, we found a significant amount of microplastics in our surface waters.”
When did you focus your research on microplastics?
“My research area is finding environmental engineering solutions using sustainable infrastructure that address water quality and water quantity. Microplastics in water are a water quality issue. So, we are closely exploring microplastics in water. In general, we call the microplastics pollutants in the environment as emerging contaminants, similar to how PFAS are referred to in the environment.
“Exploration of microplastics research in stormwater runoff is a new area for researchers. Though plastics have been used for many decades, in recent years, especially in the last two decades or so, their production has increased significantly.
“About a decade ago, people figured out that microplastics are generated from plastics. Larger plastics break down through wear and tear and by environmental conditions, creating microplastics. Because of their small size, we are not able to see them easily, but they’re all over our environment. People started exploring microplastics more after 2015ish, that’s when I got in the early stages as well. Understanding the extent of the issue and its detrimental impacts on the ecosystem and public health, I have spent significant time identifying its sources in surface water systems and potential remediation practices.”
Graduate student Sean Kidd assists Dr. Jejal Bathi with his research.
At what point did you become interested in environmental engineering?
“My bachelor’s degree is concentrated in chemical engineering and chemical technology. But once I started in the industry, I noticed there are other things where I can apply my engineering concepts and find solutions for real-world problems. I felt my industrial experience and conceptual knowledge from the college could be better applied in environmental engineering, which could be more impactful for the greater good of the community.
“I have always had a passion for the environment, but my focus on environmental engineering developed during my university and post-graduate years. I was successful in finishing my Ph.D. in environmental engineering, and I have a great career. So, anyone can pick up environmental engineering at any stage of their career or educational field. As the environmental engineering program coordinator here at UT Chattanooga, that’s the way our program is set up—which can help not only engineering majors but also non-engineering science majors pursuing our program.”
Did you always want to be an engineer?
“Yes, I was always interested in seeing how engineering builds solutions to solve community problems. When I figured out that environmental engineering brings me a lot closer to community, where I can apply my engineering problem-solving skills to deliver practical solutions, my interest and specialization have grown even more. I built my interest to align with a passion for environmental engineering.”
For students interested in your research or environmental engineering, how would you encourage them to pursue that path?
“For students who like to find some hands-on solutions and want to see them implemented in the community, I suggest environmental engineering as a great program. Environmental engineering is not just the basic sciences; this profession takes the sciences into real-world applications that you can see implemented. Those who have a passion for the environment can definitely pursue environmental engineering. Also, environmental engineering will include those interested not only in working in an office setting but it also provides field work opportunities. Students who like to work on computers and do design will find this field a great match. In summary, those interested in the field, in the office or in the lab will find environmental engineering very well suits them.”
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UTC Department of Civil Engineering
