Kerry J. Howe

Kerry J. Howe serves as Professor and Director of the Center for Water and the Environment within the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of New Mexico's School of Engineering. A registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE), he brings over 12 years of industry consulting experience to his academic leadership, focusing on advancing water treatment technologies and environmental engineering solutions.

Dr. Howe's educational foundation includes:

• BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1984)
• MS in Environmental Health Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (1986)
• PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2001)

His research expertise spans environmental engineering with emphasis on physical/chemical water treatment processes, membrane technologies (microfiltration to reverse osmosis), desalination, and water chemistry. Current investigations address membrane fouling in wastewater reuse, mineral recovery from desalination concentrate, fluoride removal, and pharmaceutical contaminant elimination through innovative process design.

Recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate a strategic focus on the Mineral Recovery Enhanced Desalination (MRED) process, trace organic contaminant removal in potable reuse systems, and microplastic-heavy metal interactions. These works collectively advance sustainable water management through improved treatment efficiency, resource recovery, and emerging contaminant mitigation.

Dr. Howe's accolades include:

• Harrison Faculty Recognition Award, UNM (2015)
• Stamm Outstanding Faculty Award, UNM (2014)
• Golden Spigot Award, AWWA (2007)
• Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, UNM School of Engineering (2006)

As Center Director, he oversees $2.6M+ in annual research expenditures, directing projects that bridge academic research with practical engineering applications. His textbooks MWH's Water Treatment: Principles and Design and Principles of Water Treatment serve as foundational resources in the field. Under his leadership, the Center for Water and the Environment functions as a critical hub for interdisciplinary water research, collaborating with industry and government agencies to address global water challenges through technology development and sustainable engineering practices.