Lewis Semprini

Lewis Semprini serves as a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University's College of Engineering. With over three decades of research experience, he leads pioneering work in bioremediation of hazardous wastes and environmental contaminant transport.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University (1986)
• Engineer's Degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University (1981)
• M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University (1979)
• B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (1974)

Semprini specializes in integrated field, laboratory, and modeling studies of aerobic/anaerobic processes for treating chlorinated solvents, PAHs, and emerging contaminants. Current research demonstrates strong emphasis on hydrogel-encapsulated bacterial systems for cometabolic degradation of 1,4-dioxane and chlorinated solvents, with emerging focus on toxicity assessment of transformation products. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with practical groundwater remediation applications.

He received the 2007 OSU Distinguished Professor Award and serves as a Superfund Research Program investigator, reflecting sustained grant funding for hazardous substance research.

Semprini directs projects within Oregon State's Water and Environment research group, developing sustainable bioremediation technologies for soil and groundwater contamination through advanced material-bacteria interaction studies.