Leanne Gilbertson

Leanne Gilbertson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. She joined Duke in 2023 after serving as an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

Education:

• B.S. in Chemistry, Hamilton College, 2007
• M.S. in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, 2012
• Ph.D. in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, 2014
• Postdoctoral Associate, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, Yale University, 2014–2015

Dr. Gilbertson’s research focuses on the sustainable design of emerging materials, integrating molecular design with systems-level analysis such as life cycle assessment (LCA) to develop high-performing, low-impact solutions for environmental and public health challenges. Her work spans environmental nanotechnology, green chemistry, sustainable agriculture, and water treatment. She emphasizes the development of materials that minimize environmental impact while enhancing functionality, particularly through circular economy principles.

Her recent research publications highlight trends in sustainable material synthesis, nano-enabled agriculture, antimicrobial alternatives, and environmental fate modeling. These works consistently integrate life cycle thinking and mechanistic understanding of material-environment interactions, with applications in agriculture, water safety, and green engineering.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) 40 Under 40, 2022
• National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2021
• Mara H. Wasburn Early Engineering Educator Grant, 2019
• Gordon and Betty Moore Inventor Fellow Finalist, 2017
• 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, 2017
• Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, 2017

Dr. Gilbertson has secured significant research funding from the National Science Foundation and other organizations to support her interdisciplinary work. She has advised multiple Ph.D. students to completion and currently mentors a diverse team of postdoctoral associates, Ph.D. candidates, and master’s students. Her research group, the Gilbertson Lab, is actively engaged in developing sustainable nanomaterials for real-world environmental applications, including the recent co-leadership of Duke’s Critical Minerals Hub. She also teaches core courses such as Environmental Aquatic Chemistry and Advanced Topics in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Labs and Research Teams:
Dr. Gilbertson leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on sustainable materials and environmental engineering, with active collaborations across Duke and external institutions. Her lab integrates experimental and modeling approaches to advance green engineering solutions.