Manisha Choudhary earned her bachelor's degree in 2011 from MBM University, India, and her master's (2014) and PhD (2019) degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology — all in chemical engineering. Since 2022, she has been a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maine, working on the effect of edge-functionalization on the adsorption capacity and microwave reactivity of graphene, aiming to optimize its efficiency in contaminant removal and the microwave regeneration process. Her overarching research vision is to advance the holistic "One Water" framework by developing a comprehensive water reuse system that supports both indirect and direct potable reuse. A prolific research grant writer, she has been awarded more than $570,000 in funding. Through her participation in the Maine Innovation Research and Technology Accelerator program in 2024, she conducted 47 interviews with industry leaders to align her research with real-world needs. Her outreach efforts include mentoring high school students in developing a PFAS filtration system that earned the team a state-level award. Choudhary aims to guide students in developing the confidence to thrive during moments of uncertainty, encourage them to take ownership of their projects, and will integrate immersive virtual reality tools into her classroom to help students visualize and interact with complex environmental processes.

Research Interests

Advanced water/wastewater Treatment, PFAS remediation