NOTE: currently on the market for postdoctoral and faculty opportunities - anticipated PhD defense fall 2025

Bio

Boozhoo! Aaniin!

My name is Taymee Brandon

I am an Aquatic Chemist and Environmental Engineer

and currently a PhD Candidate in Environmental Engineering at Purdue University researching the application of modified biochar in aqueous systems

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 a PhD Candidate in Environmental Engineering, Ford Foundation Fellow, and Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) Scholar at Purdue University.

My dissertation research is titled: Selective remediation of aqueous heavy metal contaminants from industrial wastewater using textile-derived biochar modified by cationic surfactant.

I started at Purdue in August 2019 as a Purdue Doctoral Fellow, a Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership Scholar, and a Gates Millennium Graduate Scholar. Previously I graduated from Montana Technological University in May 2019 with an Environmental Engineering, M.S., and received my Chemistry, B.S. from the University of Montana in May 2016.

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 heavy metal 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

My Teaching & Mentoring

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