Faculty & Staff

Shiva Abdolrahimi

Dr. Shiva Abdolrahimi is an Assistant Professor of Bioprocessing at the Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), where she graduated with distinction, Dr. Abdolrahimi has a robust academic foundation spanning over a decade of research and teaching experience. Her educational journey includes PhD and M.S. in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Biotechnology and a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering focused on Petrochemicals, all completed at Amirkabir University of Technology with honors.

Before her current role, Dr. Abdolrahimi served as a Postdoctoral Scholar and Instructor at KGI, contributing to both teaching and industry collaborations. She previously spent several years as a researcher at Amirkabir University of Technology, where she led and collaborated on various projects focused on advanced separation techniques, thermodynamics, and process modeling.
Dr. Abdolrahimi is highly regarded for her excellence in education and research, earning titles such as Exceptional Talent at multiple academic levels and recognition as a Distinguished Student in her Ph.D. program. Her doctoral research, which investigated ionic liquid-based aqueous two-phase systems for pharmaceutical applications, exemplifies her ability to tackle complex, interdisciplinary challenges.

At KGI, Dr. Abdolrahimi combines her technical expertise with a passion for mentorship and teaching. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning and the integration of theoretical concepts with real-world applications, preparing students for leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical industry.

  1. Abdolrahimi, S.; Nasernejad, B.; Pazuki, G. Influence of process variables on extraction of Cephalexin in a novel biocompatible ionic liquid-based aqueous two-phase system. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2015, 17, 655-669.
  2. Abdolrahimi, S.; Nasernejad, B.; Pazuki, G. Prediction of partition coefficients of alkaloids in ionic liquids-based aqueous biphasic systems using hybrid group method of data handling (GMDH) neural network. J. Mol. Liq. 2014, 191, 79-84.
  3. Fathi Darani, S.; Ghazizadeh Ahsaie, F.; Pazuki, G.; Abdolrahimi, S. Aqueous two-phase systems based on thermo-separating copolymer for partitioning of doxorubicin. J. Mol. Liq. 2021, 114542.
  4. Pazuki, G.; Bahmanzade, S.; Ghazizadeh Ahsaie, F.; Hadidi, N.; Abdolrahimi, S. Application of ATPSs based on thermosensitive copolymer in partitioning and determination of ciprofloxacin in milk sample. IJCCE. 2023.
  5. Karimi, M.; Abdolrahimi, S.; Pazuki, G. Bioconjugation of enzyme with silica microparticles: A promising platform for α-amylase partitioning. RSC Adv. 2019, 9, 18217-18221.
  6. Zarei, S.; Abdolrahimi, S.; Pazuki, G. Thermophysical characterization of sorbitol and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate mixtures. Fluid Phase Equilib. 2019, 497, 140-150.
  7. Rezaei, H.; Abdolrahimi, S.; Pazuki, G.R.; Rohani, A.A. A Nonextensive Electrolyte UNIQUAC Model for Prediction of Mean Activity Coefficients of Binary Electrolyte Solutions. Phys. Chem. Res. 2018, 6, 773-784.
  8. Vahidnia, M.; Pazuki, G.; Abdolrahimi, S. Impact of polyethylene glycol as additive on the formation and extraction of ionic-liquid-based aqueous two-phase system. AIChE J. 2016, 62, 264-274.
  9. Atashrouz, S.; Zarghampour, M.; Abdolrahimi, S.; Pazuki, G.; Nasernejad, B. Estimation of the Viscosity of Ionic Liquids Containing Binary Mixtures Based on the Eyring’s Theory and a Modified Gibbs Energy Model. J. Chem. Eng. Data. 2014, 59, 3691-3704.
  10. Karimi, M.; Hadidi, N.; Pazuki, G.; Abdolrahimi, S. Partitioning studies of alpha-amylase in aqueous two-phase system composed of polyethylene glycol and tri-sodium citrate. Journal of Food Technology and Nutrition. 2019, 16, 5-14.

Dr. Shiva Abdolrahimi’s research focuses on enhancing bioprocessing techniques to address the evolving challenges of biomanufacturing in the biopharmaceutical industry. Her work integrates experimental studies with computational modeling to create innovative, efficient, and adaptable solutions for complex bioprocesses.

Her expertise in separation techniques extends to studying ionic liquid-based aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS), focusing on their application in drug partitioning and purification. These studies aim to enhance the recovery of biologics, such as proteins and enzymes, with higher yield and purity while reducing operational costs.

A key area that Dr. Abdolrahimi aims to focus on is the application of Digital Twins, soft sensors, and hybrid modeling to improve process monitoring and control. By combining real-time data collection with predictive algorithms, she aims to develop systems that provide deeper insights into process dynamics, enabling smarter decision-making and optimization of manufacturing workflows.

Dr. Abdolrahimi’s research approach is highly interdisciplinary, drawing from chemical engineering principles, biotechnology, and computational science. By aligning her research with industry needs, she aims to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and industrial implementation, contributing to the development of next-generation biomanufacturing technologies.

Her current projects also emphasize fostering student engagement in research, providing them with opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies and experimental strategies. Through this collaborative research environment, Dr. Abdolrahimi seeks to advance both the science of bioprocessing and the training of skilled professionals in the field.