Erika Espinosa-Ortiz

Erika Espinosa-Ortiz is an Assistant Professor in the Biological Engineering department at Utah State University. Her research focuses on biofilm systems, environmental biotechnology, and microbial processes for water treatment. She holds a PhD in Environmental Technologies from IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education (2015), an MS in Ecological Sciences and Engineering from Purdue University (2010), and a BS in Environmental Engineering from the Autonomous Metropolitan University (2006).

Her work integrates microbial ecology and engineering to address challenges in bioremediation, biofilm-based technologies, and planetary health. Recent projects include developing mycelium-based engineered materials, studying anti-fouling coatings for space systems, and optimizing fungal-bacterial co-cultures for pollutant removal.

Erika currently advises three graduate students in Biological Engineering and teaches courses such as Biological Engineering Design II (BENG 4880) and Introduction to Unit Operations (BENG 3200). Her research has been published in high-impact journals, covering topics like struvite stone formation mechanisms, calcite precipitation kinetics, and selenium-tellurium nanoparticle biomineralization.

Erika's team explores innovative solutions for Earth-based and space water systems, emphasizing sustainable bioprocesses and microbial-driven technologies. She actively collaborates across disciplines to advance environmental engineering and biomedical applications of biofilm science.