1. Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
  2. School of Civil Engineering
  3. People
  4. Profile
Dr Waseem Hiwar

Dr Waseem Hiwar

Profile

I am an experimental microbiologist at the School of Civil Engineering with experience designing and performing research in controlled laboratory and chamber settings, as well as in real-world settings such as hospitals.

I received a BSc (2004) in microbiology from Mustansiriyah University, and my final year research was "polymerase chain reaction." Mustansiriyah University awarded me an MSc in microbiology with excellence in 2012. I investigated "bacteriological and immunological aspects of septicaemia in neonates at several hospitals in Baghdad." In 2017, I started a PhD programme with Prof. Catherine J Noakes and Dr. Louise Fletcher titled "Factors Affecting the Relationship Between Microorganisms in the Air and on Surfaces in Hospital Environments." The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) supported this research via the Hospital Optimisation and Infection Risk Assessment (HECOIRA) project, Grant/Award Number: EP/P023312/1; and the EPSRC DTP studentship project, Grant/Award Number: 1955605.

Responsibilities

  • Lead researcher of face mask study of The PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study.

Research interests

I am interested in the emission, transmission, and mitigation of bioaerosols, as well as the relationship between microorganisms in the air and on surfaces. The effect of a ventilation system, air cleaning techniques, and UV light on infection risk reduction.

Projects

  • The PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study on transmission and environment, funded by HM Government via HSE.
  • Far UVC light, two project, funded by DHSC (July2021-Sept 2021) and NHS Scotland Assure (Feb 2022-Aug 2022).
  • HECOIRA project (Sept 2021-Jan 2022), funded by EPSRC.
  • Classroom Air Cleaning Technology (Class-ACT), funded by DHSC.
  • Safe and Effective Antiviral Technology for diagnostics and prevention of SARS-CoV-2.
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Student education

-Redesigning, updating, and delivering Environmental Microbiology lectures to a class of 60 Master's students in various settings (Online and on-campus).

-Co-supervising MSc students and undergraduate dissertations.