Mrs. Alicia Prithiraj | Material-life Science Award | Women Researcher Award

Alicia Prithiraj’s educational journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise in chemical engineering. 📚 Starting from her secondary education at Hoerskool Secunda, where she excelled academically while actively participating in extramural activities like tennis and science expos. She further honed her skills at Vaal University of Technology, completing a Chemical Engineering Diploma with in-service training. 🎓 Subsequently, she earned a Bachelor’s in Technology and a Master’s degree, graduating with distinction, focusing on materials science, water systems, and microbial corrosion. Currently, she is on the cusp of completing her PhD at the University of Pretoria, specializing in industrial water systems and biofilm-related corrosion. 🌱🔬

Alicia Prithiraj’s research focus primarily revolves around the intricate interplay between microbiology and materials science in industrial settings, particularly in the context of heat exchangers. 🔬 Her studies delve into multispecies colonization and surface erosion on industry-finished steel, such as A106 GB steel, shedding light on the corrosion mechanisms and metabolic effects of bacterial consortia commonly found in petrochemical processing plants. 🌱 Through her investigations, she aims to develop kinetic growth models, understand corrosion behaviors of various steel types, and propose mitigation strategies to combat biofouling and corrosion, ultimately contributing to the advancement of materials engineering in challenging environments. 🛠️