Isabel Escobar

Dr. Isabel Escobar is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and Chellgren Endowed Chair at the University of Kentucky, directing the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence. Previously, she held roles including Associate Dean for Research at the University of Toledo and Editor-in-Chief of the IDA Journal of Desalination and Water Reuse. She earned her Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida. Her research focuses on developing sustainable polymeric membranes for water treatment, addressing challenges like biofouling, green manufacturing, and nanocomposite integration. She actively contributes to academic leadership, diversity initiatives (e.g., LGBTQA Advisory Board), and community outreach through STEM programs like WISE. Her work bridges innovation in membrane science with scalable, eco-friendly solutions for global water challenges.

Research interests include advanced membrane materials for water purification, antimicrobial surfaces, and nanotechnology applications. She has pioneered studies on eco-friendly solvents, bio-derived membranes, and functionalized 2D materials. Her projects address critical issues such as PFAS removal and sustainable membrane fabrication at industrial scales. Dr. Escobar’s international collaborations and visiting professorships (e.g., National University of Singapore) further highlight her global impact in the field.