About

Rob Nerenberg is a professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, where he is a Kellogg Institute for International Studies faculty fellow.  In his Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, his research group focuses on sustainable and energy-efficient water management technologies.

Nerenberg grew up in Argentina and currently is engaged in research and teaching efforts with several universities in Latin America. In particular, he helped his department start a dual PhD program with the Pontificia Universidad Católica (PUC) in Chile, and he is co-teaching the course "Global Perspectives on Urban Sustainability," which students from PUC and Notre Dame take via video conferencing. 

Previously an environmental engineering consultant, he holds a PhD from Northwestern University.

Thematic Interests

Biofilm processes for water and wastewater treatment. Interactions between biofilms and gas-supplying or filtration membranes.

Current Research

Current research topics include energy-efficient wastewater treatment with membrane-based biofilm reactors, minimization of greenhouse-gas emissions from biological treatment processes, removal of micropollutants in water and wastewater, and the use of algae to produce biofuels or high-value chemicals.

Regions
Other Accomplishments & Recognitions
  • Luksic Family Collaboration Grant (2018-19): "Cross training on biofilm research tools to promote ND-PUC research collaborations"
  • Paul Busch Award from the Water Environment Research Foundation (2012)
  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2010)