Emily W. Tow

Emily W. Tow is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Olin College. Her research focuses on water reuse, desalination, and the water-energy-food nexus, emphasizing membrane fouling mitigation and energy efficiency. She also practices visual art, exploring repetition through media like ceramics and murals.

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, MIT (2017)
• S.M., Mechanical Engineering, MIT (2014)
• S.B., Mechanical Engineering, MIT (2012)

Her engineering work addresses sustainability via transport phenomena studies. Key areas include improving membrane technologies for wastewater treatment and desalination. She has over 15 peer-reviewed publications and patents, with recent work on batch reverse osmosis and PFAS management. Her lab, Tow Lab, investigates scalable solutions for water scarcity challenges.

Awards include the ITRI-Rosenfeld Postdoctoral Fellowship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. Her art complements her technical work, reflecting themes of process and repetition.

• Awards:
  • ITRI-Rosenfeld Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 'More Water, Less Concentrate' Challenge Winner
  • Meredith Kamm Memorial Award

Emily advises students and collaborates on projects funded by federal and industry partners. Her Tow Lab at Olin College fosters interdisciplinary research in environmental engineering and sustainable technology.