Bruce Rittmann
Center Director and Regents Professor, Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology
Dr. Bruce E. Rittmann is Regents' Professor of Environmental Engineering and Director of the Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology at Arizona State University. His research focuses on the science and engineering needed to “manage microbial communities to provide services to society.” Services include generating renewable energy, cleaning water and soil, and improving human health. Dr. Rittmann is a member of the National Academy of Engineering; a Fellow of AAAS, WEF, IWA, AEESP, and NAI; and a Distinguished Member of ASCE. Dr. Rittmann was awarded the first Clarke Prize for Outstanding Achievements in Water Science and Technology from the NWRI, the Walter Huber Research Prize and the Simon Freese Award from ASCE, the G.M. Fair Award from AAEES, and the Perry L. McCarty/AEESP Founders Award. He is the co-winner of the 2018 Stockholm Water Prize. Dr. Rittmann has published over 850 journal articles, books, and book chapters, and he has 21 patents. With Dr. Perry McCarty, Dr. Rittmann co-authored the textbook Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications (McGraw-Hill Book Co.).
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We are conducting research on using microbiological systems to remove and recover metals from wastewater associated with mining, ore processing, and recycling. The work involved laboratory-based experiments using bench-scale reactors. Students will gain experience operating the reactors, taking samples, doing chemical and biological analyses, and interpreting the results.