Dr. Amin Valiei earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from McGill University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Valiei’s research focuses on the dynamics of microbial communities, employing state-of-the-art experimental and computational approaches. His investigations aim to understand and engineer microbial interactions within communities, as well as to explore how microbial communities respond to environmental stimuli, including fluid flow, mechanical forces, and surface properties. His research has applications for finding new therapeutic techniques for numerous microbiome-related diseases and conditions, in addition to optimizing bioprocesses and environmental remediation. Beyond research, Dr. Valiei is interested in teaching. He aims to leverage his extensive industrial experience as a process engineer in the Canadian energy sector to make chemical engineering courses more practical.
Research Interests
A key research focus of his group is understanding antibiotic resistance dynamics in microbial communities. Using microfluidic devices, we control stressors and predict microbial responses. Our goal is to develop targeted antimicrobial strategies, including formulations that selectively target harmful organisms. For cases requiring complete eradication, such as implant-associated infections, we employ nanotextured surfaces to induce mechanical microbial rupture. By integrating chemical and physical approaches, we aim to enhance antimicrobial effectiveness.