At the Future Industries Institute (FII), Adelaide University, Dr. Asif's research focuses on developing advanced functional materials for environmental remediation and sustainable resource recovery, targeting critical global challenges such as acid mine drainage (AMD), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and nano/microplastic pollution in water and soil systems. Asif’s current work focuses on the design of nanostructured materials, specifically biomass-derived highly ordered graphite and MXene-based composites, which are developed through novel material transformation techniques. These materials are being applied in cutting-edge technologies such as capacitive deionization (CDI) and solar-driven evaporative remediation (SDER) to deliver energy-efficient, scalable solutions for in-situ water treatment. His research strongly aligns with circular economy principles, repurposing waste biomass and industrial residues into high-value carbon materials, with the intention of reducing environmental impact and improving water security. He is also advancing pilot-scale validation of these technologies in collaboration with industry partners. Before joining AU, Dr. Asif contributed to an ARC Linkage Project at the University of Technology Sydney, where he worked on subnano silicon-based materials for lithium-ion batteries and developed PFAS extraction methods from battery systems. He also held postdoctoral research positions in Sweden and South Korea, leading studies on MXene, spinel ferrites, and perovskite oxide adsorbents for environmental applications. Dr. Shahzad has published widely in high-impact journals and is engaged in multidisciplinary collaborations across academia and industry. His work contributes to the advancement of sustainable materials and clean water technologies.