Ph.D. Candidate’s Algal Bloom Research Wins State Honor, Heads to National Stage

Ph.D. Candidate's Algal Bloom Research Wins State Honor, Heads to National Stage

For Sina Zalbegi, a Ph.D. in Engineering candidate, presenting his research at the One Water Technical Conference would have been exciting enough.

Then his research won first place.

Zalbegi's project, "Turning Biofilms into Bloom Barriers: A Biological Strategy for Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms Control via Commercialized Bacterial Consortium," took top honors in the Fresh Ideas competition of the Ohio Section of the American Water Works Association. The section's conference brings together more than 2,000 water and wastewater professionals.

"I was able to interact with water professionals, utilities, consultants and technology providers who often look at research from a different perspective: Can this work in the real world? Can it be scaled up? How could it eventually be implemented?" Zalbegi said.

He said he received thoughtful questions and feedback from industry professionals during and after his presentation, and he has kept up the relationships he built there.

"Winning the competition was certainly exciting, but those conversations and connections were also one of the most valuable parts of the experience for me," he said.

Under the supervision of Dr. Youngwoo Seo, professor and Hess Faculty Fellow in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Zalbegi is developing a more sustainable biological approach to controlling the harmful algal blooms that plague Lake Erie.

"Being at UToledo also makes this research especially meaningful because many of the water-quality challenges I study are directly connected to Lake Erie and the surrounding community," Zalbegi said. "It allows me to work on research that has a very visible connection to the region where I study and live."

Conventional approaches to controlling algal blooms rely on chemical or physical treatments. Zalbegi's research explores whether beneficial bacterial communities can suppress cyanobacteria and restore a healthier ecological balance.

"One of the major challenges with biological treatment is keeping beneficial bacteria active and effective in complex natural waters," he said. "Our approach uses a biofilm-based bioreactor, where selected bacteria are immobilized on carrier materials rather than simply being added directly to the water."

As the state winner, Zalbegi will represent the Ohio Section at the association's national Fresh Ideas program during the 2027 Annual Conference and Exposition in San Diego. He said the national stage is a chance to bring more attention to Northwest Ohio's water issues.

"Representing Ohio makes this opportunity particularly meaningful to me because harmful algal blooms are not simply an abstract research problem here; they directly affect Lake Erie and our region," he said.

Beyond the lab, Zalbegi has sought out professional organizations, conferences and other chances to explain his work to people outside academia.

"These experiences have helped me become more confident communicating across research, industry and the broader water sector, and have allowed me to build a strong professional network in Ohio," he said.

He recently became the Northwest District representative on the Ohio Section's Young Professionals Committee.

"I see this as another opportunity to remain engaged with the regional water community and to continue connecting academic research with professional service and real-world water challenges," he said.