Catherine Peters

Catherine Peters is the George J. Magee Professor of Geosciences and Geological Engineering, and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University. She serves as Director of the Program in Geological Engineering and holds associated faculty roles in the High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI), Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM), and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. Her work focuses on environmental chemistry, geochemical reactions, and subsurface energy technologies, including carbon sequestration, geothermal energy, and shale gas extraction.

Education:

• PhD (Joint degree in Civil Engineering and Engineering & Public Policy), Carnegie Mellon University, 1992
• MS in Civil Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 1987
• BSE in Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1985

Research Interests: Dr. Peters explores environmental challenges of subsurface energy systems through experimental, imaging, and modeling approaches. Key areas include CO2 storage in saline aquifers, geochemical reaction kinetics, and remediation of organic pollutants. Her lab uses synchrotron-based techniques and reactive transport simulations to study processes at nanometer to basin scales. She emphasizes collaborative research with national labs and universities.

Recent Article Trends: Her publications (2023-2025) highlight advancements in carbon mineralization, hydrogen storage security, microbial geochemical interactions, and multi-scale material characterization. These works bridge environmental engineering, geochemistry, and data science to address decarbonization challenges.

Awards & Leadership:

• Fellow, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) since 2016
• 2012 EPA P3 Award for the 'Power-in-a-Box TM' sustainable design project
• Princeton Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching

Grants & Collaborations: Funded by NSF, DOE, and EPA, her projects address subsurface energy systems and climate mitigation. She collaborates with national labs via synchrotron facilities and leads initiatives like the Grand Challenges Program. Courses taught include environmental engineering, statistical methods, and geochemical kinetics modeling.

Labs & Teams: Affiliated with HMEI, PRISM, and the Andlinger Center, she integrates interdisciplinary teams to advance sustainable energy and environmental solutions. Her group’s work often intersects with global sustainability and equity goals.