NOTE: Currently on the market for faculty opportunities

Bio

Boozhoo! Aaniin!

My name is Taymee Brandon

I am an Aquatic Chemist and Environmental Engineer

and Princeton University High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) Environmental Fellow, where my postdoctoral research focuses on engineering sustainable materials for PFAS remediation.

I received my PhD in Environmental Engineering at Purdue University (May 2026) researching the application of modified biochar in aqueous systems.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

I am an Ojibwe woman from Havre, Montana near the Ahsiniiwin (Rocky Boy) Chippewa Cree Reservation and am of Mikinaakwajiw-ininiwag (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) descent. I am currently conducting postdoctoral research at Princeton University as a High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) Environmental Fellow working in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE).

I received my PhD in Environmental Engineering in May 2026 from the School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (SEE) as a Ford Foundation Fellow, Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) Scholar, Purdue Doctoral Fellow, Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership Scholar, Native Forward Scholar, and a Gates Millennium Graduate Scholar at Purdue University. My doctoral dissertation was titled: Characterization and Application of Cationic Surfactant-Modified Textile-Derived Biochar for Heavy Metal Remediation in Mining-Impacted and Industrial Waters. (Embargoed until May 2027)

My primary focus has been water quality research in an analytical chemistry and environmental engineering capacity. Once in a faculty position, I plan to run my future research lab using sustainable adsorbents and novel technologies to selectively remediate aqueous contaminants from impacted natural waterways while working closely with Indigenous communities.

Future Faculty Research Vision

Advancing Sustainable Adsorbents for Aqueous Contaminant Remediation:

Circular Economy Innovations for Water Quality

LAB GOAL

To engineer sustainable adsorbent materials and treatment systems that remove contaminants and recover valuable metals from industrial wastewater, advancing circular economy approaches that support long-term water quality and resource reuse.

Research Aims

SHORT-TERM (3-5 Years)

Aim 1: Engineer and Optimize Sustainable Adsorbents for Industrial Wastewater Applications

•Engineer sustainable adsorbent materials such as biochar

•Determine structure-function relationships of engineered adsorbents for target contaminants

•Evaluate performance across industrially relevant aqueous matrices

Aim 2: Conduct Bench-Scale Proof-of-Concept Studies for Metal Removal and Reuse

•Demonstrate effective contaminant removal under varied pH and ionic conditions

•Begin developing regeneration protocols for adsorbents

•Test efficacy in batch and column systems

LONG-TERM (5+ Years)

Aim 3: Engineer Closed-Loop Systems for Metal Recovery and Adsorbent Reuse

•Develop methods for recovering metals from spent adsorbents

•Design low-waste regeneration strategies for adsorbent reuse

•Evaluate system longevity, efficiency, and operational feasibility

Aim 4: Assess Environmental and Circular Economy Impact

•Conduct life cycle assessments (LCA) and techno-economic analyses (TEA)

•Quantify environmental benefits of resource recovery versus traditional disposal

•Collaborate with communities or agencies to pilot sustainable water treatment systems

Teaching & Learning

Philosophy

My teaching philosophy centers on adaptive, student-driven learning that builds confidence in core engineering skills through inclusive, evidence-based strategies, real-world applications, and mentorship, empowering all students to succeed in diverse academic and professional pathways.

Future Courses of Interest

Aquatic Chemistry for Engineers | Analytical Environmental Chemistry |

Physical & Chemical Methods of Water and Wastewater Treatment | Emerging Contaminants

My Teaching & Mentoring

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