Research Interests
Hadi is a part-time PhD candidate focused on developing methodologies for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens in wastewater, as well as the use of biomarkers in wastewater-based surveillance. His work applies molecular biology techniques, including RT-qPCR and digital PCR, to estimate disease prevalence within communities using wastewater samples and to relate these findings to clinical metrics.
He began his PhD driven by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly returned to the lab at its onset, where he helped develop and refine the lab’s initial wastewater surveillance methods. He identified key gaps in early approaches and investigated strategies to improve data interpretation, including normalization of SARS-CoV-2 signals using PMMoV and assessing inhibition in wastewater influent samples. During the pandemic, Hadi was actively involved in the wastewater surveillance research community, including participation in the Ontario Wastewater Surveillance Initiative program, contributing to collaborative efforts to monitor and respond to public health trends.
Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystem Technician – Global Water Futures Program
Hadi is an exceptionally well-rounded and highly skilled technician who has worked in the lab since May 2011, including his role supporting the Global Water Futures (GWF) program as a Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystem Technician, which concluded in August 2023. He brings extensive expertise across both field and laboratory research and plays a key role in a wide range of projects.
In the field, Hadi has extensive experience in fish sampling and identification, including backpack and boat electrofishing and seining. He is also skilled in boating, water quality monitoring, habitat assessments, and measurements of stream metrics, as well as invertebrate sampling using CABIN and OBBN protocols. He is highly experienced working within aquatic research facilities, including AHAB systems, and has designed, built, and operated fish exposure systems, including both static and flow-through setups.
In the laboratory, Hadi is proficient in a wide range of techniques, including molecular biology methods such as qPCR and digital PCR (dPCR), as well as other nucleic acid–based assays. His experience spans sample preparation, extraction, assay development, and quantitative analysis. He also contributes to data QA/QC and data management, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of research outputs. Across projects, he supports all aspects of lab operations, from initial setup through to data generation, and played an important role in maintaining day-to-day research activities.
Project Experience
Hadi has contributed to a range of interdisciplinary research projects focused on aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and environmental monitoring. His work has included studies on multiple stressors at the watershed scale, integrating contaminant fate, hydrology, and biological responses to support improved monitoring and risk assessment. He has also worked on the Lake Futures project, contributing to studies of walleye spawning and migration to better understand population dynamics and habitat connectivity.
Hadi has also been involved in environmental DNA (eDNA) research using qPCR-based approaches for species detection and biodiversity assessment, including comparisons with conventional methods such as electrofishing. This work provided the foundation for his contributions to SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he helped develop and implement methods to monitor community infection trends and support public health efforts.
Senior Manager – Waterloo Genomics Surveillance Centre (Sep. 2023 – Present)
Hadi is the Senior Manager of the Waterloo Genomics Surveillance Centre, which provides genomic sequencing and analytical services to support surveillance and research activities. He works closely with researchers at the University of Waterloo, as well as collaborators from other universities, government, and industry, providing technical expertise and research support.
He contributes to the strategic direction of the centre and oversees day-to-day operations, including workflow coordination, equipment management, and the implementation of new systems and processes to improve efficiency and expand capabilities.
Publications
Visit Hadi's Google Scholar profile to see all his publications.