Sally is conducting research to develop an aeration diffuser system which employs a simple O-ring regulator to provide the oxygen necessary for effective activated sludge or water treatment. Her experiments manipulate air pressure and airflow rate to a disc diffuser which is immersed in a water tank. She uses regulators with varying O-ring hardness and observes the resulting width of the bubble plume generated by the diffuser. Sally's analysis characterizes vertical mixing of the water column based on bubble plume geometry to determine the optimal airflow. Her results will be useful in designing water treatment techniques that are both energy efficient and cost effective.

Sally received her bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from the University of Tehran in 2007 and spent the next decade working for engineering consulting firms in Iran in the fields of environmental planning, environmental assessment and natural resource management. She says studying at Oklahoma State University is one of the greatest experiences she has had during her academic career. Sally states, "Not only did I learn new scientific principles and methodologies to understand and analyze environmental problems, but also I met other students from around the world which helped me strengthen my international mindset," and she thanks her advisor Dr. Scott Stoodley "for his unwavering support and helpful advice" during her graduate program.