Leon van Paassen

Leon van Paassen is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University (ASU), affiliated with the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Water Institute, and the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars program. His research focuses on integrating environmental biotechnology with geotechnical engineering to develop sustainable solutions for soil stabilization, ground improvement, and environmental restoration. He leads the Environmental Protection and Restoration research thrust at the NSF Engineering Research Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG).

• Ph.D. in Applied Sciences (Biotechnology) from Delft University of Technology, 2009
• M.Sc. in Applied Earth Sciences (Engineering Geology) from Delft University of Technology, 2002

His work spans bio-mineralization, ureolysis, denitrification, and bio-inspired scour protection, with applications in liquefaction mitigation, ground stabilization, and groundwater remediation. Recent publications highlight advancements in microbial-induced desaturation and precipitation (MIDP), bio-cementation, and biogrouting for sustainable infrastructure.

He teaches courses in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology, Bio-based Geotechnical Engineering, and Advanced Geotechnical Testing, with a curriculum emphasizing resource efficiency and environmental impact reduction in civil and mining industries.