Aicha EL KHARRAF

I am an ambitious Ph.D. Student with two master's degrees in water and environmental management engineering and hydro-geology, hydro-biochemistry, hydro-pedology. My primary research interest is in understanding plastic pollution degradation in aquatic environments. I am known for my accountability, strong work ethic, and ability to excel in both team-based and independent settings. I am dedicated to advancing knowledge in this field as I work towards my Ph.D.

• Hosein Foroutan, Ph.D, Virginia Tech University, The aerosolization MPs and NPS released in the ocean through plastic waste weathering and undressing of their characteristic.
• Angela Saccardo, Ph.D, Swansea University, Investigation of environmental NPS toxicity on intestinal human cells.

• Impact of Plastics degradation on metallic additive distribution and spatial oxidation of photo-oxidazed microplastics, Synchrotron Soleil, Paris (SMIS and LUCIA beamlines), 11/01/24
• Impact of Plastics degradation on metallic additive distribution and speciation, Synchrotron Soleil, Paris (LUCIA beamline), 02/01/24

• Plastic wastes breakdown and characterization of microplastics: using µ-XRay Fluorescence and IR Laser Imaging Microscopy, Oral presentation, International seminar on membrane science for water, energy and environment, Casablanca, Morocco, 12/01/24, Best Oral Presentation
• Plastic Waste Breakdown and characterization of end-Products: Photochemical & Mechanical stress, Oral presentation, The International Network For Researching, Advancing, and Assessing Materials for Environmental Sustainability (INFRAMES), Zurich, Sweetland, 10/01/24
• Chemical & Physical characterization of Plastic Breakdown: Formulated polyethylene plastic accelerated oxidation, Oral presentation, Micro2024 plastic pollution from Macro to Nano, Lanzarote, 09/01/24
• Chemical & Physical characterization of Plastic Breakdown: accelerated degradation of polyethylene plastic, poster, Nanotechnology Convergence for Sustainable Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Health, Casablanca, Morocco, 07/01/24, Best Poster Presentation
• The Natural Breakdown of Plastic Wastes and the Emergence of Resultant Products: An Experimental Study, Oral presentation, RST, Rennes, France, 11/01/23
• The Natural Breakdown of Plastic Wastes and the Emergence of Resultant Products: An Experimental Study, Oral presentation, GDR-CNRS, Rennes, France, 06/01/23, Session Chair, organization and Oral Presenter

• Polyethylene Degradation: The Dual Pathways from Macroplastics to Nanoplastics, submitted, Nature Geosciences
• Accelerated Degradation of Polyethylene Plastic Using Microwave activation and H₂O₂: Surface Oxidation, Additive Redistribution, and Environmental Implications, in process
• More than carriers: the environmental evolution of microplastics, in progress
• Gaseous Footprint of polyethylene plastic breakdown: emissions, mechanisms, and environmental impact, in progress
• When metals shape plastic fate: Additive spatial distribution controls degradation and release, co-author; submitted, Nature Geosciences