Dr. Suhad Abdelrahman Yassin, a bright and influential woman in STEM with a Ph.D. in Nanofibers from the University of Duhok, has recently contributed to a study that successfully removed amoxicillin antibiotic from aqueous solutions using Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles.

Pharmaceutical residues introduced into aquatic environments via human and animal excrement, industrial discharges, and improper disposal pose potential ecological and public health risks. Notable among such pharmaceutical pollutants are antibiotics, which can persist in aqueous systems for prolonged durations. Antibiotic pollution contributes to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, threatening the effectiveness of many life-saving medicines. Among the most common antibiotic contaminant found in aquatic systems is Amoxicillin.

 Amoxicillin is an antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections in humans. Unfortunately, much of the amoxicillin patients consume is not fully metabolized and absorbed by their bodies. The unused amoxicillin exits the body through urine and ends up in wastewater. Many wastewater treatment plants cannot fully extract this antimicrobial from the water systems, permitting amoxicillin contamination of rivers, lakes, and other aquatic environments. The accumulation of amoxicillin in water poses risks to ecosystems due to antibiotic resistance developing in bacteria exposed to excess antibiotics. Water pollution from amoxicillin and other medical drugs highlights the need for better wastewater treatment technologies to protect the environment.

Scientists have been applying water treatment methods to remove or degrade antibiotics from aqueous solutions, specifically through utilization of nanotechnology. Dr. Yassin recently contributed to a study titled “The Application of Hydroxyapatite NPs for Adsorption Antibiotic from Aqueous Solutions: Kinetic, Thermodynamic, and Isotherm Studies” where nanoparticles were utilized to remove Amoxicillin antibiotic from aqueous solution through adsorption technique. It was concluded in the paper that the thermodynamic analysis exhibited Amoxicillin adsorption on the Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles powder is exothermic and spontaneous.

Dr. Suhad Yassin’s work in this study showcases her dedication and passion as a scientist aiming to tackle environmental pollution and ecological deterioration through nanotechnology. Her expertise in Nanotechnology and water treatment led her to explore various applications in decontaminating aquatic systems to safeguard public health and the ecosystem, such as utilizing pomegranate peel to remove chromium from aqueous solution and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution using titanium dioxide particles. This highlights Dr. Suhad’s importance as a scientist and offers young researchers eager to contribute to environmental protection insight and motivation in the field of nanotechnology in the Arab region.

Dr. Suhad Yassin advocates for empowering women in science in the Arab region. Her work and scientific contributions have been recognized in Vogue Middle East and Nature Middle East.

Congratulations from SASTA team to Dr. Suhad A. Yassin on her contribution to the study to successfully, efficiently, and ecologically remove Amoxicillin from aquatic systems.