Ali is an assistant professor in the Civil Engineering department at the University of St. Thomas, where she helps students learn to solve complex problems. In her research, she applies systems thinking to emerging contaminants to better understand economic, environmental and human health impacts of their use, management and treatment. Current research focuses on PFAS distribution in environmental media, life-cycle assessment of PFAS treatment alternatives, and sustainable PFAS treatment alternatives for treating mixed waste streams. Prior to joining St. Thomas, Ali spent 10 years as an engineering consultant designing and troubleshooting industrial wastewater treatment systems.
Ali earned her Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and her Masters and PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has co-authored textbooks on industrial wastewater treatment and reuse and contributes to ITRC resources on PFAS.
