Claudia Gunsch

Claudia Gunsch is the Muriel Theodorsen Williams E'46 Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University, with secondary appointments in the Nicholas School of the Environment and Department of Biomedical Engineering. She directs the NSF Engineering Research Center for Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr) and serves as Associate Director for the Duke Microbiome Center.

• PhD (2004): University of Texas at Austin
• MS (2000): Clemson University
• BS (1998): Purdue University

Her research focuses on environmental molecular biotechnology, particularly: investigating ecological impacts of emerging contaminants on microbiomes; developing microbiome engineering approaches for bioremediation; studying microbial evolution from contaminant exposure; and creating innovative water treatment technologies. Current projects apply advanced molecular methods to probe environmental microbial processes in bioremediation, contaminant impact assessment, and environmental microbiome modeling.

She has been recognized with numerous awards including: NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award (2009), ASCE Huber Prize (2016), and NAE Frontiers of Engineering Fellowship (2011). Her lab has mentored 28 graduate students, 34 undergraduates, and 8 postdoctoral associates. She leads research initiatives funded by NSF, EPA, NIEHS, and industry partners.

• Editor-in-Chief, Biodegradation journal
• Member, npj Clean Water and Industrial Biotechnology editorial boards
• Active in AEESP and ASCE leadership roles