Virender Sharma - Biography#

Virender K. Sharma received his Ph.D. from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in 1989. He is currently a Professor at the Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Material Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA. His scientifically rigorous research efforts led to seminal contributions in the areas of chemistry and environmental applications of ferrate. Ferrate is an earth-abundant iron-based molecule, in which iron is in the plus 6-oxidation state (FeVIO42-), i.e., it is depleted of its electrons and hence can serve as an advanced material to perform as an efficient water treatment oxidant. Ferrate has demonstrated multiple roles in performing disinfection, coagulation, and oxidation in various applications. Examples include disinfecting chlorine-resistant bacteria (e.g., Clostridium difficile), inactivating viruses (e.g., Murine Norovirus), coagulating toxic metals (e.g., arsenic and lead), and oxidizing emerging contaminants (e.g., antibiotics) in water and urine. A wide range of recalcitrant pollutants in water can be degraded by “Activated Ferrate” (FeVO43- and (FeIVO44- or FeIVO32-)) in seconds, which would otherwise take several minutes to hours by ferrate without activation. The patents on ferrate technology have been issued to Dr. Sharma. His groundbreaking and transformational research solved the historical technical challenges through creating “liquid Ferrate,” which can be produced using a simple and cost-effective process that remains shelf-stable for months, as compared to other forms of Ferrate, which break down over the course of a few hours. Dr. Sharma’s research endeavors could address global challenges in water quality, infectious diseases, and food safety. He has also performed pioneering research on engineered and natural nanoparticles in water. Overall, Dr. Sharma has made exceptional contributions in the field concerning the occurrence and remediation of toxins, antibiotics, antibiotics resistance bacteria and genes, and nanoparticles to address real-world challenges of water, energy, and food sustainability. Dr. Sharma is serving as an associate editor or editorial member for several international journals and has published > 460 journal publications (Citations > 47,000; H-Index: 106). He has been recognized as Highly Cited Researcher (Top 1%) by the Web of Science (2022 - 2024, 2020). His distinguished awards include Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, European Academy of Sciences. and the Royal Society of Chemistry; Humboldt Research Award; the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water; Steven K. Dentel AEESP Award for Global Outreach; Bush Excellence Award for International Research; Outstanding Chemist by the American Chemical Society; and Outstanding Distinguished Scientist Award by Sigma Xi. His mission, “Saving Lives even One Life,” drives his impactful work.