Since the beginning of high school, I was fascinated by the complexity of chemistry, especially its interconnection with surrounding molecules and living organisms. To better understand these interactions, I ended up taking biotechnology at Gdansk University of Technology (Poland), where my scientific journey began. The engineering approach of the university helped me to see the simplicity of biochemical complexity. Answering the questions “what”, “how” or “why”, while analyzing biomolecules' behavior and dependency, felt like conducting a criminal investigation. I decided to use my acquired knowledge to fight with known or new civilization diseases. Hence, pharmaceutical biotechnology became my specialization of choice.My Master thesis focused on investigation of spectral properties of enzymes Candida albicans , which is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast.
However, by the end of my studies, I realized that disease prevention is as important as finding a new cure. Thus, the Ph.D. program connected to environmental biotechnology was what I pursued. My project at Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (Quebec, Canada) was focused on development of the eco-friendly and cost-effective method to improve wastewater treatment. My aim was to increase the removal rate of pharmaceuticals, where I could use the knowledge I obtained during my Master studies. I also investigated the fate of contaminants in water and their possible influence on living organisms.During my doctoral studies I was awareded with Mitacs Globalink Research Award, which allowed me to conduct part of my research at NMBU, Norway, under the supervision of Professor Harsha Ratnaweera and Dr. Zakhar Maletskyi. My PhD dissertation was awarded with the International Outreach Price . I am the author of seven research papers, three book chapters and two research communications at international conferences.
Currently, I am an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellow at the team of Professor Harsha Ratnaweera to further develop my interests in emerging contaminants.
- Emerging contaminants
- Water quality - pollution
- Water Treatment
Liste med publikasjoner fra min forskning. (Cristin)
Research publications
- Cuprys, A., Thomson, P., Suresh, G., Roussi, T., Brar, S.K., Drogui, P. Potential of agro-industrial produced laccase to remove ciprofloxacin. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2021, doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13578-2
- Cuprys A. , Thomson P., Ouarda Y., Suresh G., Rouissi T., Brar SK, Drogui P., Surampalli RY Ciprofloxacin removal via sequential electro-oxidation and enzymatic oxidation , Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2020 , 389.121890;
- Cuprys A. , Lecka J., Proulx F., Brar SK, Drogui P., Appearance of ciprofloxacin / chlortetracycline-resistant bacteria in waters of Québec City in Canada , Journal of infection and public health, 2019 12 (6), pages: 897-899;
- Cuprys A. , Pulicharla R., Lecka J., Brar SK, Drogui P., Surampalli RY, Ciprofloxacin-metal complexes - stability and toxicity tests in the presence of humic substances , Chemosphere, 2018, doi.org/10.1016/j. chemosphere.2018.03.117;
- Cuprys A. , Pulicharla R. Brar SK, Drogui P., Verma M., Surampalli RY Fluoroquinolones metal complexation and its environmental impacts ; Coordination Chemistry Reviews, Volume 376, 2018 , pages 46-61;
- Kadri T., Cuprys A. , Rouissi T., Brar SK, Daghrir R., Lauzon JM., Nanoencapsulation and release study of enzymes from Alkanivorax borkumensis in chitosan-tripolyphosphate formulation , Biochemical Engineering Journal, Volume 137, 2018 , pages: 1 -10
Book chapters
- Kadri T., Cuprys A., Rouissi T., Brar SK; Microbial Degradation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons. In Environmental Contaminants: Ecological Implications and Management . Microorganisms for Sustainability (Eds. Bharagava R.), vol 14. Springer, 2019, pages: 101-117
- Gatel L., Cuprys A. , Kumar P., Suresh G., Bendourou F., Chaali M., Hegde K., Brar SK, Recent advances in oligonucleotide-based sensor technology for detection of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) in the environment . Chapter 7. In Tools, Techniques and Protocols for Monitoring Environmental Contaminants (Eds. Brar SK, Hegde K., Pachapur VL). Elsevier, 2019, pages 147-167
- Cuprys A., Suralikerimath N., Pachapur VL, Hegde K., Brar SK, Recent advances in nanomaterial-based sensors as tool for environmental monitoring . Chapter 18. In: In Tools, Techniques and Protocols for Monitoring Environmental Contaminants (Eds. Brar SK, Hegde K., Pachapur VL). Elsevier, 2019, pages 391-403
- Anwar Sadmani A HM, Lee, WH, Cuprys, A., Brar, SK; Occurrence and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water . Chapter 4.3., In Handbook of Environmental Engineering. (Eds. RY Surampalli, SK Brar, TC Zhang, K. Hegde, R. Pulicharla, M. Verma). McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings, LLC, 2018