Biography
Hooman Vatankhah is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Florida International University. His research group focuses on the characterization, occurrence, and monitoring of emerging contaminants, with an emphasis on advancing their removal and destruction through enhanced physico-chemical treatment processes. These efforts aim to improve water quality, protect ecosystems, and ultimately safeguard public health. Applications of his research span water and wastewater treatment, potable reuse, and the treatment of unconventional water resources.
His interdisciplinary approach combines treatment process design, interfacial science, and environmental and analytical chemistry to deliver comprehensive solutions for understanding and managing emerging contaminants in aquatic environments. Drawing on extensive experience, Vatankhah has developed alternative membrane-based and non-membrane-based treatment designs for potable reuse applications.
Vatankhah is a member of the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) PFAS team and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the RemTEC & Emerging Contaminants Summit. Before joining FIU, he served as a Research Fellow with the U.S. Department of Defense and as a Research Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, where he contributed to numerous state- and federally funded R&D, demonstration, and validation projects. He was honored with the American Water Works Association’s Young Professional Award in recognition of his contributions to advancing the knowledge of emerging contaminants and developing enhanced water treatment solutions that safeguard public health and protect water resources.
Education
- Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 2019
- MS, Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 2016
- BS, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Hamburg, 2013