David A. Ladner

Dr. David A. Ladner is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Clemson University. His research focuses on sustainable membrane-based water treatment technologies, including optimizing reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) systems, regenerating fouled membranes, and integrating renewable energy into desalination processes. He also investigates algal biofuel production and membrane innovations to address environmental challenges like PFAS contamination and lead deposition in water infrastructure.

Education: Ph.D. (2009), M.S. (2005), and B.S. (2003) in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and New Mexico Tech. His professional experience includes roles as Associate Professor (2016–2023) and Assistant Professor (2010–2016) at Clemson, and a postdoc at Arizona State University.

Research interests span membrane hydrodynamics, fouling mitigation, and sustainable engineering solutions. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and holds awards for contributions to water treatment innovation, including the EPA STAR Fellowship and AWWA honors. His work bridges fundamental science and engineering to tackle real-world challenges like water scarcity and contamination.

Key achievements include developing automated testing systems for ceramic membranes, computational models for spacer design, and collaborations on energy-efficient water treatment. His lab explores emerging contaminants, membrane materials, and data-driven approaches to improve process efficiency.