Education
PhD – University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Supervisory Team: Neil Robertson (UoE School of Chemistry) & Efthalia Chatzisymeon (UoE School of Engineering).
2021 – Present
Thesis Title: Photo catalytic Water Purification for Drinking Water and Environmental Remediation.
Third year PhD student with E4 Doctoral Training Partnership (fully funded). My research explores developing solar photo catalyst that can provide sustainable water treatment solution.
M.Sc. Chemistry – Amity University, India
2016 – 2018
Dissertation Title: Evaluated metabolic profile of human urine using NMR Spectroscopy.
Gained experience in NMR spectroscopy, data analysis, and metabolic profiling. Acquired skills in sample preparation, spectral interpretation, and identifying metabolic biomarkers.
B.Sc. Chemistry – University of Delhi, India
2013 – 2016
Explored various branches of chemistry while successfully fulfilling course requirements and earning selection for two competitive innovative research fellowships for Detergent analysis.
Experience
Visiting Research Student for Statistical Analysis of field study data using Matlab (Oct – Dec’2023).
Visiting Research Student for conducting field studies (August’2024 & March’2023).
Consultancy Internship funded by NERC (Feb – April’2022, Part-time).
Senior Research Executive (April’2021 – Aug’2021) Research Executive (Jul’2018 – Mar’2021).
Research Projects
- Field Trials on Photocatalytic Water Oxidation for Sustainable Water Treatment, IIT Kharagpur | March’2023 & August’2024
Conducted field trials to evaluate the technical performance of a photocatalyst with natural water sources for low-cost, sustainable water treatment. Performed a cost analysis to estimate the expense of treating 1 liter of water. Additionally, conducted surveys within local communities to understand residents’ perceptions and gather feedback on the water treatment process. - Uncertainty Analysis of Photocatalyst Performance, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) | October-December’2023
Conducted an uncertainty analysis of photocatalyst performance using data from field studies to evaluate how treatment efficiency varies under different stochastic conditions, such as environmental factors and varying initial contamination levels. - Analysis of Samples from an Industrial Forward Osmosis Plant, Waterwhelm Ltd, United Kingdom | 2022
Gained hands-on experience in complex analysis of water samples from an industrial forward osmosis plant using GC-MS during a consultancy placement. - Photocatalytic Water Oxidation for Hospital Wastewater, University of Edinburgh | PhD Research | 2022
Investigated the degradation of antibiotics (Ceftazidime) in real-world hospital wastewater matrices using photocatalytic water oxidation. Employed various analytical techniques to evaluate treatment efficiency and assess the impact of complex wastewater composition. - Development and Characterization of Solar Photocatalyst, University of Edinburgh | PhD Research | 2022
Designed and characterized a solar photocatalyst, evaluating its efficiency under various conditions to optimize performance for sustainable water treatment applications. - Development of Water Desalination Technique Using TFC Membranes, Havells India Ltd. | 2020
Developed a water desalination technique using thin-film composite (TFC) membranes, increasing water recovery from 25% to 60%. Successfully patented the technique. - Development of Photocatalytic Oxidation-Based Air Purification Technology, Havells India Ltd. | 2020
Developed an air purification technology using the principle of photocatalytic oxidation for domestic air purifiers, achieving a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 850 m³/hr. - Monitoring and Evaluation of Water Quality Across Six States in India, Havells India Ltd. | 2020
Monitored and evaluated water quality in six Indian states, addressing field issues such as early filter clogging and unusual membrane behavior caused by varying regional water chemistry. Successfully led a field trial project for a high-recovery domestic water purifier, overseeing its transition from laboratory development to successful consumer adoption. - Establishment of Air Monitoring Laboratory and Value Engineering, Havells India Limited | 2020
Established a solid foundation for setting up an Air Monitoring Laboratory. Effectively contributed to a value engineering program, achieving a cost savings of over 25%. - Master’s Dissertation – Evaluation of Metabolic Profile of Human Urine Using NMR Spectroscopy, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Defense Research and Development Organisation, Delhi, India | 2018
Focused on evaluating the metabolic profile of human urine using NMR spectroscopy to identify biomarkers and understand metabolic variations. - Innovative Research Fellowship – Wastewater Treatment and Detergent Analysis, University of Delhi | 2013–2015
Researched the use of rice husk as an adsorbent for removing heavy metal ions and surfactants from wastewater (2014–2015). Conducted a comparative study of commercially available detergents to evaluate their composition and performance (2013–2014).
Publications
- A. Arora, V. Porley, B.C. Meikap, R. Sen, A. Debnath, E. Chatzisymeon, N. Robertson, ‘Field Trials of Low-Cost Bi-TiO2-P25 Solar Photo Catalyst for Water Treatment’, Advance Sustainable Systems, Wiley (2025). Link
- A. Arora, G. Calvani, E. Chatzisymeon, N. Robertson, P. Perona ‘Uncertainty analysis of Field Trials of Low-Cost Bi-TiO2-P25 Solar Photo Catalyst for Sustainable Water Treatment’, Water and Wastewater Management, Frontiers in Environmental Science (2025). Link
- A. Arora, S. Sisodia, ‘A Water Purification System and Method for High Recovery’, Patent number – 492403, issued by Govt. of India, (2024). Link
- F. Bößl, V. Menzel, K. Jeronimo, A. Arora, Y. Zhang, T. Comyn, P. Cowin, C. Kirk, N. Robertson, I. Tudela, ‘Importance of Energy Band Theory and Screening Charge Effect in Piezo Electro Catalysis Processes’ Journal of International Society of Electrochemistry , Elsevier (2023). Link
- M. Khetrapal, A. Arora et al. ‘Comparative study of Detergents in India- A step towards more sustainable laundry’, DU Journal of undergraduate research and innovation (2015). Link
- M. Khetrapal, A. Arora et al. ‘Synthesis of Detergent from Rice Bran Oil and study of its quality’, International Journal of General Engineering and Technology (IJGET) (2014). Link
Awards
Received 1st Prize in:
- Poster presentation in ETP Conference and was awarded with a prize of £300 by Scottish Research Partnership for Energy (2022).
- Project presentation in Havells India Ltd., Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India (2020).
- Poster Presentation in National Conference on Nano-Science at Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, India (2016).
- ‘Youth Speak’ held in the Green Chemistry Workshop at Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, India (2016).
- Best Innovative Idea for presenting the project ‘Comparative Study and Development of Bio detergent’ at University of Delhi, India (2015).
Research Communications
- Delivered flash talk and presented poster in SPEA 12 Conference at Ulster University, Belfast (2024).
- Presented Poster in School of Chemistry alumni meet, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (2024).
- Delivered talk at Joseph Black Conference, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (2024).
- Delivered talk at SAGES annual meeting, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (2024).
- Delivered talk in Scottish Fresh Water Group annual meeting, University of Stirling, United Kingdom (2024).
- Delivered three minute thesis talk in 30th Geoscience Grad School Conference, St. Andrews, United Kingdom (2024).
- Presented poster at RSC Photophysics and Photochemistry Group Early Career Meeting, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, united Kingdom (2023).
- Presented poster at Joseph Black Conference, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (2023).
- Delivered talk in EaSTCHEM Conference, University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom (2023).
- Presented poster at ETP 11th Annual Conference, Edinburgh, United Kingdom (2022).
INSTRUMENTS
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Mass Spectrometry (MS)
X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
UV–Visible Spectroscopy
Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS)
VOLUNTEERING
Organised activities for kids for Doors Open Day & Science Exploration Day at University of Edinburgh, 2024 & 2025
Mentoring high school undergrad school, 2022 & 2024
Interview support | E4 DTP | 2022/3
Supervised and assessed two masters’s dissertation student for their research projects.
MEMBERSHIPS
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment & Society’s (SAGES)
Scottish Fresh Water Group (SFG)
LEADERSHIP
Resident Assistant, West Mains Accommodation, University of Edinburgh | 2021-2022
President of Chemical Society, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, India | 2015-2016
Secretary of Chemical Society, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, India | 2013-2014
Funding Secured
UKRI, NERC, e4 dtp – PhD Scholarship (Grants and Support funds)
Academic Fees | Amount: £70,000 | Project Reference – 2581304
Overseas Research Visit Fund | Amount: £2,500
Stipend | Amount: 21/22: £15,609; 22/23: £17,668; 23/24: £18,662; 24/25: £19,237
Professional Internship & Development Scheme | 2021 – 2025 | Amount: £8,000 | Link
SAGES 13TH Small grant scheme
2022 | Amount: £300 | Order Number 20463121
Researcher Development and Travel Grant by rOYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY
2023 | Amount: £500 | Grant Number D22-9507766243
G research GRANT
2023 | Amount: £400 | Link
INNOVATIVE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS, University of delhi, india