Professor Rostam-Abadi specializes in the removal of trace contaminants from gas streams by the development of novel laboratory, pilot-scale, and full-scale air-quality control technologies. He is responsible for the development of high surface-area hydrated lime for removal of sulfur dioxide from flue gas streams, preparation of novel carbonaceous materials from Illinois coal and waste tire for mercury removal from flue gas streams and for natural gas storage, and the development of activated-carbon fiber based systems to remove toxic organic compounds from industrial gas streams and mercury from flue gas streams.

He has taught CE 449 and CE 597.