Lee Blaney

Lee Blaney is Professor of Environmental Engineering at UMBC, where he researches contaminant fate and resource recovery technologies. His work develops analytical methods to detect pharmaceuticals, PFAS, and hormones in environmental matrices, and designs systems like the Phosphorus Extraction and Recovery System (PEARS) for nutrient recovery from waste streams.

Blaney's NSF CAREER Award funds research detecting sewer leaks through dissolved organic matter analysis. His team has created novel anion-exchange membranes for PFAS sampling and degradation techniques employing adsorptive photocatalysis. Blaney has secured funding from SERDP, USDA, and USGS for projects on contaminant treatment and nutrient cycling. He serves as Associate Director of Sustainability Engineering and contributes to Chesapeake Bay restoration initiatives.