Mervin XuYang Lim

Mervin grew up in Malaysia, where drought-induced water scarcity is a common issue. This experience has fueled his interest in researching technologies for reclaiming water for direct consumption. He is currently a third-year chemical engineering Ph.D. student working with Dr. Andrea Achilli on advanced water purification technologies. Mervin is developing a novel pilot-scale system to reclaim municipal saline streams, also known as brine, and aims to apply his findings to other brine-generating industries such as desalination, mining, energy, and manufacturing. 

Mervin earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and held managerial roles in the manufacturing industry before joining the graduate program. Now, as a graduate student, he serves as a professional mentor at the University of Arizona and Tau Beta Pi, where he aspires to nurture and guide the next generation of scientists. Outside of research, Mervin enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, playing his guitars, and watching soccer matches.