Selected Publications

Journal Articles

1. Kusum, S. A., Pourghaz, M., & Ducoste, J. J. (2025). Identifying surface formation and adhesion mechanisms of FOG deposits on sewer lines. Water Research, 278, 123340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.123340
2. Gibson, J. M., Ajaj, R., Al Khazraji, A., Al Shamsi, L., Bahnfleth, W. P., Bonn, D., … Kusum, S. A., … & Zaitoun, F. H. (2025). An indoor air pollution research strategy for the United Arab Emirates. Indoor Environments, 2(2), 100086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indenv.2025.100086
3. Kusum, S. A., Pour-Ghaz, M., & Ducoste, J. J. (2020). Reducing fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits formation and adhesion on sewer collection system structures through the use of fly ash replaced cement-based materials. Water Research, 186, 116304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116304
4. Zafer Siddik, M. A., Asib, A. S., & Kusum, S. A. (2013). Spatial distribution of the effect of temperature and rainfall on the production of Boro rice in Bangladesh. American Journal of Remote Sensing, 1(4), 88–95. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajrs.20130104.13
5. Ambient Air Pollution Health Effects in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis. (Under Review)

Conference Proceedings

6. Kusum, S. A., Pour-Ghaz, M., & Ducoste, J. (2021, March). Factors that influence the formation and surface adhesion of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits. Collection Systems Conference 2021, Water Environment Federation.
7. Kusum, S. A., Pour-Ghaz, M., & Ducoste, J. (2018). Evaluating alternative binder materials for sewer collection system concrete structures to reduce fat, oil, and grease related sanitary sewer overflows. Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2018(3), 258–266.

Awards & Honors

Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, NC State University Graduate School (2022)

Preparing the Professoriate (PTP) Fellow, NC State University (2021–2022)

Mentored Teaching Fellowship (MTF), NC State College of Engineering (2021)

Teaching and Communication Certificate (TCC), NC State University Graduate School (2022)

1st Place, CCEE Departmental Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, NC State University (2020)

Top 10 Finalist, University-Wide Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, NC State University (2020)

1st Place, Student Poster Award, Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal (EWC) Engineering Research Symposium, NC State University (2020)

1st Place, Student Poster Award, NC Onsite Water Protection Conference (2019)

2nd Place, Student Poster Award, NC-AWWA (American Water Works Association) Conference (2018)

Graduate Student Spotlight, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State University (2021).

Educational Qualifications

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Environmental), North Carolina State University, USA 2022

M.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Environmental), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh 2016

B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Environmental & Structural), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh 2012

Academic Experience

Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North South University, Bangladesh
May 2026 – Present

Postdoctoral Research Scholar
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
February 2023 – November 2024

Graduate Research Assistant
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
August 2016 – December 2022

Senior Lecturer
Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
March 2013 – September 2015

Lecturer
University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
April 2012 – March 2013

Student mentoring:

• MI-REU (Miniature Research Experience for Undergraduates)
• GEAR (Guided Experience in Academic Research)
• RISE (Research in Science and Engineering)
• NCSSM (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics)

Corporate Experience

Engineer II — North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), Raleigh, NC, USA (December 2024 – January 2026)
Reviewed 108 public water system projects for compliance with the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act and North Carolina drinking water statutes. Approved plans and specifications for new, expanding, and improving water systems.

Assistant Engineer — Power Grid Bangladesh PLC, Dhaka, Bangladesh (January 2015 – July 2016)
Prepared and finalized engineering drawings for substation designs. Analyzed project specifications and contract documents, conducted site inspections across multiple locations, and maintained stringent quality control standards.

Courses

North South University, Bangladesh (Current)

• CEE 212 — Mechanics of Materials (Summer 2026)
• CEE 209 — Environmental Chemistry (Summer 2026)

North Carolina State University, USA

• CE 282 — Hydraulics (Instructor of Record, Spring 2022; Teaching Assistant, Fall 2021, Fall 2019)
• CE 530 — Properties of Concrete and Advanced Cement-Based Composites (Teaching Assistant, Spring 2019)

Course Taught in other institution in Bangladesh

• CE 331 — Environmental Engineering I
• CE 333 — Environmental Engineering II
• CE 315 — Design of Concrete Structures I
• CE 316 — Design of Concrete Structures II
• CE 351 — Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering
• CE 401 — Environmental Engineering I (Water Supply & Treatment)
• WRE 311 — Open Channel Flow
• CE 282 — Hydraulics
• CE 200 — Engineering Materials

Membership & Professional Activities

Member American Water Works Association

Member Society for Risk Analysis

Peer Reviewer Water Research

Research Interests

Her core research investigates the formation and adhesion mechanisms of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits in sewer collection systems. Her broader research vision at North South University includes adapting sustainable sewer construction technologies for Bangladesh's urban context, investigating waterborne disease risks in drinking water distribution systems, and building capacity for climate-resilient water infrastructure in the face of increasing flood and temperature risks.