Lisa Axe

Lisa Axe is a Professor and Chair in the Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at NJIT, with a joint appointment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Her research focuses on chemical and physical processes in environmental systems, particularly interfacial processes affecting contaminant attenuation, biologically active water treatment filters, and reactive iron mineral coatings in subsurface environments. She has been funded by organizations like the National Science Foundation and Chemours, and serves on the Chemours Science Advisory Board and NJDEP Science Advisory Board.

Education
- Ph.D., Environmental Engineering (Illinois Institute of Technology, 1995)
- MChE, Chemical Engineering (Illinois Institute of Technology, 1995)
- M.S., Environmental Engineering (Illinois Institute of Technology, 1992)
- B.S., Geoscience (Purdue University, 1984)

Research Interests
Dr. Axe’s work integrates surface chemistry, microbial ecology, and geochemical analysis to address water contamination challenges. Her lab studies biologically active filters for emerging contaminants and reactive iron mineral dynamics in redox transition zones. Recent projects include advancing biofilm-based water treatment and analyzing subsurface iron mineral coatings’ reactivity. Methodological innovations include cryogenic sampling for subsurface core preservation.

Awards

• DuPont Young Professor Grant

Grants & Collaborations
Funded projects include partnerships with Chemours, SUEZ North America, and the U.S. Army. She leads research on contaminant degradation mechanisms and sustainable treatment technologies. Her work bridges environmental engineering and geochemistry, emphasizing scalable solutions for water quality challenges.

Labs & Teams
Her research group operates within NJIT’s Chemical and Materials Engineering department, collaborating with environmental agencies and industry partners to develop next-generation water treatment systems and subsurface remediation strategies.