Dr. Tirandai Hemraj-Benny is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Queensborough Community College/City University of New York. She holds a doctorate in Materials and Physical Chemistry from Stony Brook University/State University of New York, where she received the Chemistry Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research.
A scholar in the field of nanoscience research, she has authored nineteen peer-reviewed journal articles and one book chapter, and is a recent recipient of the Advanced Science Research Center Faculty Fellows Award. Specifically, Dr. Hemraj-Benny’s research focuses on the fabrication of novel nanomaterials hybrids involving carbon nanotubes and their usage in practical applications relating to solar cells and the removal of carcinogenic substances from industrial waste-waters.
Over the past ten years, she has mentored several QCC undergraduate students in nanoscience research who have given over sixty oral and poster presentations at many regional and national conferences and who have also co-authored five peer-reviewed publications. In addition, she has assisted QCC students in attaining funding to conduct research both at QCC and at other CUNY and SUNY campuses.
Recently, Dr. Hemraj-Benny has developed a nanoscience lecture and laboratory course, which she enjoys teaching to the Business Technology Early College High School (BTECH) students who are enrolled at QCC. As a current co-advisor of the Science Research Alliance Club, she gives many QCC students the opportunity to engage in science-related service learning activities in their local communities specifically at elementary and high schools and the New York Hall of Science. She is also currently the Chairperson of the QCC Senate Committee on Academic Development/Elective Academic Programs.
Dr. Hemraj-Benny is a native of Guyana, South America, and is married with two children.
