Gofran Faisal Merghany Ahmed
- Country of Origin: Sudan
- Home University: University of Khartoum
- Host University & Country: IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education - Netherlands
- PhD Title: Disinfection By-Products in North-eastern African Drinking Water: Occurrence, Prediction, and Control of Precursors
- Year of Completion: 2028
PhD Overview
When chlorine reacts with organic and inorganic precursors in water during drinking water treatment, it leads to the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs), some of which are carcinogenic and pose serious health risks. Gofran’s research focuses on addressing the urgent need to assess and mitigate DBP risks in Africa. Since the high cost of DBP testing is a major barrier to effective monitoring in many parts of the world, Gofran is also developing machine learning models to predict harmful DBPs in chlorinated water using simple water quality parameters. These models aim to function as early warning systems that provide low-cost, rapid, and effective solutions for monitoring DBP risks.
Sustainability Goals
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Good Health and Well-being
About Me
Gofran Ahmed is a young researcher currently pursuing a PhD at IHE Delft/TU Delft in the Netherlands, focusing on water treatment, machine learning, and decision support tools for sustainable water management. She holds an MSc in Water and Sustainable Development from IHE Delft and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Khartoum, where she graduated with awards for best academic performance and best graduation project. As part of her commitment to local impact, she also initiated a partnership with local universities in her study area through the Water and Development Partnership Programme, funded by the Dutch government.