Ellen Lauchnor

Dr. Ellen Lauchnor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Montana State University (MSU), affiliated with the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. She holds roles in the Center for Biofilm Engineering and the Energy Research Institute. Her research focuses on biofilms in wastewater treatment, bioremediation of groundwater contaminants, and treatment wetlands. Lauchnor earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering from MSU (2005) and a Ph.D. from Oregon State University (2011).

Her research explores microbial processes in environmental systems, including selenium bioremediation and cold-climate treatment wetlands. She also investigates pedagogical approaches like project-based learning in engineering education. Recent work emphasizes microbial community dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands.

Lauchnor has been recognized with the 2020 College of Engineering Excellence in Outreach and NACOE Awards for Excellence. She actively reviews for journals like Biogeosciences and Water Research, and organizes workshops for K-12 students and STEM outreach initiatives.

Her grants include NSF-funded STREEM (Sustainable Transformation of Environmental Engineering Education) and USDA projects on microbial water quality. She teaches courses such as Chemistry for Environmental Engineering and Groundwater Supply and Remediation.