Kurt Pennell

Kurt Pennell is the 250th Anniversary Professor of Engineering at Brown University's School of Engineering, specializing in environmental engineering. He previously held roles at Tufts University and Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on groundwater remediation, engineered nanomaterials, and environmental toxicology, particularly PFAS and metabolomics. He leads the Pennell Lab, collaborating with institutions like Columbia University and Emory University.

Research Interests include PFAS remediation, environmental exposure metabolomics, and nanomaterials for subsurface characterization. His lab uses advanced instrumentation like high-resolution mass spectrometers for targeted and non-targeted analysis of contaminants in environmental and biological samples.

Notable Awards: Fellow of ASCE, Fellow of AEESP, Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE), and Professional Engineer (PE). Recent projects include PFAS sequestration, nano-bio interactions, and oil recovery with nanomaterials. He advises over a dozen students and has secured grants from NSF, DOD, and others. The Pennell Lab also focuses on community outreach and educational initiatives.