Leila Karimi

She is a highly accomplished research scientist and chemical engineer with extensive expertise in water treatment, desalination, membrane technologies, and the water-energy nexus. Currently serving as Research Scientist at the University of Arizona, she leads research on energy and water requirements in hyperscale data centers, delivering solutions for water and energy conservation. In this role, she has designed and built bench- and pilot-scale membrane distillation systems for blowdown water reclamation and has served as Co-PI and lead researcher on multiple projects funded by Salt River Project Power and Water utility. Prior to this role, she held postdoctoral positions at the University of Arizona and the University of Oklahoma, where she focused on nanoparticle synthesis and magnetic nanofluids. Her doctoral research at New Mexico State University involved designing and constructing laboratory-scale electrodialysis systems, developing theoretical-empirical models for selective ion removal, and leading pilot-scale water treatment projects. She also served as a College Instructor, teaching courses in engineering data analysis, process control, and heat and mass transfer. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University with a 4.0 GPA and an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Sahand University of Technology. She is recognized as a rigorous, innovative, and collaborative researcher who bridges fundamental science with practical engineering solutions to address critical water and energy challenges.