Contact Dr Parveen Fatemeh Rupani
Background
Dr Parveen Fatemeh Rupani is a Lecturer in Microbial Agrobiotechnology at Cranfield University, with expertise spanning environmental biotechnology, soil biological processes, microbial resource recovery and sustainable agricultural systems. She holds a PhD in Environmental Technology from Universiti Sains Malaysia, where her research investigated vermicomposting of palm oil mill wastes, earthworm–microbe interactions and the potential of biological processes for waste treatment and resource recovery.
Prior to joining Cranfield, Dr Rupani worked across international research environments, including Malaysia, China and Belgium, developing expertise in organic waste biodegradation, anaerobic bioprocessing, vermicomposting, bioenergy and environmental remediation. Her research has focused on understanding how biological processes can be harnessed to convert waste streams into valuable resources while reducing environmental impacts.
At Cranfield, her research has expanded towards the biological mechanisms underpinning sustainable soil and nutrient management. She has led research investigating organo-mineral fertilisers and waste-derived resources, examining their effects on nutrient release, soil biological functioning, root development, carbon dynamics and greenhouse-gas emissions. Her current research further investigates EPS-derived biostimulants, using microbial activity and extracellular enzyme responses, including β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, to understand their effects on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling.
Her emerging research programme brings together microbial discovery, mechanistic understanding and environmental application, with a particular interest in identifying microbial functions that can be harnessed for the sustainable treatment and valorisation of biological resources and environmental contaminants.
Dr Rupani has established an international research profile through peer-reviewed publications, competitive research funding, postgraduate supervision, teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work aims to develop biologically informed solutions for sustainable agriculture, resource recovery and environmental protection.
Research opportunities
Dr Rupani’s research focuses on microbial agrobiotechnology, investigating how microbial and biological processes can be harnessed to support sustainable agriculture, biological resource recovery and environmental protection.
Her current research explores the biological mechanisms underpinning sustainable nutrient management, including the effects of organo-mineral fertilisers and EPS-derived biostimulants on soil microbial functioning, carbon and nitrogen cycling, and extracellular enzyme activity. She is particularly interested in using functional biological indicators, including β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, to understand how biological resources influence soil processes and nutrient availability.
Building on her expertise in vermicomposting and microbial biodegradation, she is also investigating how microbial functions can contribute to the degradation of environmental contaminants. This includes understanding the role of microbial communities and functional enzymes in biological treatment systems and exploring how these functions can be translated into engineered environmental bioprocesses.
Her broader research interests include waste valorisation, anaerobic digestion, biological resource recovery and sustainable fertiliser technologies, with an overarching aim of connecting microbial discovery and mechanistic understanding with practical agricultural and environmental applications.
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Rupani PF, Sakrabani R, Sadaqat B & Shao W. (2024). Biohydrogen production and quantitative determination of monosaccharide production using hyperthermophilic anaerobic fermentation of corn stover. Energies, 17(7)
- Rezania S, Darajeh N, Rupani PF, Mojiri A, Kamyab H, .... (2024). Recent advances in the adsorption of different pollutants from wastewater using carbon-based and metal-oxide nanoparticles. Applied Sciences, 14(24)
- Rupani PF, Embrandiri A, Garg VK, Abbaspour M, Dewil R, .... (2023). Vermicomposting of Green Organic Wastes Using Eisenia Fetida Under Field Conditions: a Case Study of a Green Campus. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 14(8)
- Zabed HM, Akter S, Rupani PF, Akor J, Zhang Y, .... (2023). Biocatalytic gateway to convert glycerol into 3-hydroxypropionic acid in waste-based biorefineries: Fundamentals, limitations, and potential research strategies. Biotechnology Advances, 62
- Al-Gheethi A, Ma NL, Rupani PF, Sultana N, Yaakob MA, .... (2023). Biowastes of slaughterhouses and wet markets: an overview of waste management for disease prevention. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(28)
- Shinde S, Yeneneh AM, Jafary T, Al Balushi K, Hong E, .... (2023). Metal Cation and Surfactant-Assisted Flocculation for Enhanced Dewatering of Anaerobically Digested Sludge. Sustainability, 15(4)
- Chen B, Rupani PF, Azman S, Dewil R & Appels L. (2022). A redox-based strategy to enhance propionic and butyric acid production during anaerobic fermentation. Bioresource Technology, 361
- Palakodeti A, Rupani PF, Azman S, Dewil R & Appels L. (2022). Novel approach to ammonia recovery from anaerobic digestion via side-stream stripping at multiple pH levels. Bioresource Technology, 361
- Latiffi NAA, Mohamed RMSR, Al-Gheethi A, Tajuddin RM, Al-Shaibani MM, .... (2022). Nutrients elimination from meat processing wastewater using Scenedesmus sp.; optimizations; artificial neural network and kinetics models. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 26
- Rupani PF, Embrandiri A, Rezania S, wang S, Shao W, .... (2022). Changes in the microbiota during biological treatment of palm oil mill waste: A critical review. Journal of Environmental Management, 320
- Rezania S, Talaiekhozani A, Oryani B, Cho J, Barghi M, .... (2022). Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the atmosphere of South Korea: A review. Environmental Pollution, 307
- Ahanchi M, Jafary T, Yeneneh AM, Rupani PF, Shafizadeh A, .... (2022). Review on waste biomass valorization and power management systems for microbial fuel cell application. Journal of Cleaner Production, 380
- Jafary T, Yeneneh AM, Daud WRW, Al Attar MSS, Al Masani RKM, .... (2022). Taxonomic classification of sulphate-reducing bacteria communities attached to biocathode in hydrogen-producing microbial electrolysis cell. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 19(8)
- Sadaqat B, Sha C, Rupani PF, Wang H, Zuo W, .... (2021). Man/Cel5B, a Bifunctional Enzyme Having the Highest Mannanase Activity in the Hyperthermic Environment. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 9
- Rezania S, Kamyab H, Rupani PF, Park J, Nawrot N, .... (2021). Recent advances on the removal of phosphorus in aquatic plant-based systems. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 24
- Barati B, Zafar FF, Rupani PF & Wang S. (2021). Bacterial pretreatment of microalgae and the potential of novel nature hydrolytic sources. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 21
- Asadi S, Nilashi M, Samad S, Rupani PF, Kamyab H, .... (2021). A proposed adoption model for green IT in manufacturing industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 297
- Rupani PF, Nilashi M, Abumalloh RA, Asadi S, Samad S, .... (2020). Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and its natural environmental impacts. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 17(11)
- Rezania S, Oryani B, Cho J, Sabbagh F, Rupani PF, .... (2020). Technical Aspects of Biofuel Production from Different Sources in Malaysia—A Review. Processes, 8(8)
- Rezania S, Oryani B, Cho J, Talaiekhozani A, Sabbagh F, .... (2020). Different pretreatment technologies of lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol production: An overview. Energy, 199
- Shao W, Wang Q, Rupani PF, Krishnan S, Ahmad F, .... (2020). Biohydrogen production via thermophilic fermentation: A prospective application of Thermotoga species. Energy, 197
- Rupani PF, Delarestaghi RM, Abbaspour M, Rupani MM, EL-Mesery HS, .... (2019). Current status and future perspectives of solid waste management in Iran: a critical overview of Iranian metropolitan cities. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(32)
- Rupani PF, Maleki Delarestaghi R, Asadi H, Rezania S, Park J, .... (2019). Current Scenario of the Tehran Municipal Solid Waste Handling Rules towards Green Technology. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(6)
- Rezania S, Park J, Rupani PF, Darajeh N, Xu X, .... (2019). Phytoremediation potential and control of Phragmites australis as a green phytomass: an overview. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(8)
- Rupani PF, Alkarkhi AFM, Shahadat M, Embrandiri A, EL-Mesery HS, .... (2019). Bio-Optimization of Chemical Parameters and Earthworm Biomass for Efficient Vermicomposting of Different Palm Oil Mill Waste Mixtures. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(12)
- Nilashi M, Rupani PF, Rupani MM, Kamyab H, Shao W, .... (2019). Measuring sustainability through ecological sustainability and human sustainability: A machine learning approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 240
- Embrandiri A, Rupani PF, Woon LK, Jamaludin MH, Naim MA, .... (2019). Treatment of dye wastewater by functionalization of bentonite-Methylene blue with sodium persulfate. Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques, 7(2)
- Al-Tohamy R, Ali SS, Saad-Allah K, Fareed M, Ali A, .... (2018). Phytochemical analysis and assessment of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of some medicinal plant species from Egyptian flora. Journal of Applied Biomedicine, 16(4)
- Rupani PF, Embrandiri A, Ibrahim MH, Ghole V, Lee CT, .... (2018). Effects of different vermicompost extracts of palm oil mill effluent and palm-pressed fiber mixture on seed germination of mung bean and its relative toxicity. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(36)
- Rupani PF, Embrandiri A, Ibrahim MH, Shahadat M, Hansen SB, .... (2017). Bioremediation of palm industry wastes using vermicomposting technology: its environmental application as green fertilizer. 3 Biotech, 7(3)
- Shahadat M, Khan MZ, Rupani PF, Embrandiri A, Sultana S, .... (2017). A critical review on the prospect of polyaniline-grafted biodegradable nanocomposite. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 249
- Embrandiri A, Rupani PF, Shahadat M, Singh RP, Ismail SA, .... (2017). The phytoextraction potential of selected vegetable plants from soil amended with oil palm decanter cake. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 6(1)
- Rupani PF, Embrandiri A, Ibrahim MH, Shahadat M, Hansen SB, .... (2017). Recycling of palm oil industrial wastes using vermicomposting technology: its kinetics study and environmental application. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(14)
- Embrandiri A, Rupani PF, Ismail SA, Singh RP, Ibrahim MH, .... (2016). The effect of oil palm decanter cake on the accumulation of nutrients and the stomatal opening of Solanum melongena (brinjal) plants. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 5(2)
- Rupani P, Ibrahim M & Ismail S. (2013). Vermicomposting biotechnology: recycling of palm oil mill wastes into valuable products. International Journal Of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 2(1)
- Singh P, Sulaiman O, Hashim R, Rupani PF & Peng LC. (2010). Biopulping of lignocellulosic material using different fungal species: a review. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology, 9(2)
Books
- Isong OM, Pavuluri K, Rupani PF & Sakrabani R. (2026). The potential for utilising organo-mineral fertilisers in agriculture In Optimising bio-based fertilisation for a more sustainable agriculture. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.
- Rupani PF, Alonso-Crespo IM, Gómez-Brandón M, Domínguez J & Sakrabani R. (2026). Combined use of vermicompost and biochar to enhance soil health and crop yield in sustainable agriculture In Optimising bio-based fertilisation for a more sustainable agriculture. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.
- Isong OM, Pavuluri K, Rupani PF & Sakrabani R. (2026). The potential for utilising organo-mineral fertilisers in agriculture In Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited.
- Rupani PF, Alonso-Crespo IM, Gómez-Brandón M, Domínguez J & Sakrabani R. (2026). Combined use of vermicompost and biochar to enhance soil health and crop yield in sustainable agriculture In Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited.
- Muñiz González AB, Mendes LA, Brandón MG, Quintela-Sabarís C, Rupani PF, .... (2024). Earthworms and microplastics: Transport from sewage sludge to soil, antibiotic-resistant genes, and soil remediation In Earthworm Technology in Organic Waste Management. Elsevier.
- González ABM, Mendes LA, Brandón MG, Quintela-Sabarís C, Rupani PF, .... (2024). Chapter 10 Earthworms and microplastics: Transport from sewage sludge to soil, antibiotic-resistant genes, and soil remediation In Earthworm Technology in Organic Waste Management. Elsevier.
- Fatema Rupani P, Kamali M, Akter S, Qi X, Chowdhury FI, .... (2023). Global Scenario of Sewage Sludge Management In Sustainable Treatment and Management of Sewage Sludge. CRC Press.
- Rupani PF, Zabed HM & Domínguez J. (2022). Vermicomposting and bioconversion approaches towards the sustainable utilization of palm oil mill waste In Hussain C & Hait S (eds), Advanced Organic Waste Management. Elsevier.
- Rupani PF, Zabed HM & Domínguez J. (2022). 12 Vermicomposting and bioconversion approaches towards the sustainable utilization of palm oil mill waste In Advanced Organic Waste Management. Elsevier.
- Rupani PF, Zabed HM & Domínguez J. (2022). Vermicomposting and bioconversion approaches towards the sustainable utilization of palm oil mill waste In Advanced Organic Waste Management Sustainable Practices and Approaches.
- Shahadat M, Embrandiri A, Rupani PF, Adnan R, Sreekrishnan TR, .... (2021). Carbon-based conducting polymers aerogels and their sensing behavior In Advances in Aerogel Composites for Environmental Remediation. Elsevier.
- Shahadat M, Embrandiri A, Rupani PF, Adnan R, Sreekrishnan TR, .... (2021). Chapter 14 Carbon-based conducting polymers aerogels and their sensing behavior In Advances in Aerogel Composites for Environmental Remediation. Elsevier.
- Embrandiri A, Quaik S, Emmanuel MI, Rahma M, Rupani PF, .... (2020). “Microplastics” In Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies. IGI Global.
- Embrandiri A, Quaik S, Emmanuel MI, Rahma M, Rupani PF, .... (2020). “Microplastics” In Handbook of Research on Resource Management for Pollution and Waste Treatment. IGI Global.
- Kamyab H, Chelliapan S, Kumar A, Rezania S, Talaiekhozani A, .... (2019). Microalgal Biotechnology Application Towards Environmental Sustainability In Application of Microalgae in Wastewater Treatment. Springer International Publishing.
- Embrandiri A, Rupani PF, Mohamad MAN & Jamaludin MH. (2018). Valorization of Fish Processing Waste: A Microbial Perspective In Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer International Publishing.
- Shahadat M, Shahadat M, Jha A, Rupani PF, Embrandiri A, .... (2018). Chitosan–Graphene‐Grafted Nanocomposite Materials for Wastewater Treatment In Nanomaterials in the Wet Processing of Textiles. Wiley.
- Embrandiri A, Kiyasudeen SK, Rupani PF & Ibrahim MH. (2016). Environmental Xenobiotics and Its Effects on Natural Ecosystem In Plant Responses to Xenobiotics. Springer Singapore.
- Embrandiri A, Quaik S, Rupani PF, Srivastava V & Singh P. (2015). Sustainable utilization of oil palm wastes: Opportunities and challenges In Waste Management Challenges Threats and Opportunities.
- Singh RP, Rupani PF, Singh A, Embrandiri A & Ibrahim MH. (2012). Towards sustainable palm oil production: Minimizing the environmental damage from oil palm processing In Waste Management New Research.
