Mary Jo Kirisits

Mary Jo Kirisits is a Professor and holder of the Stanley P. Finch Centennial Professorship in Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering. Her expertise focuses on Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, with an emphasis on biological water treatment processes and molecular biology applications. She earned her Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2000, 1997) and SUNY (1995).

Her research interests span biological water treatment, biofilm dynamics, and nanotechnology integration in environmental systems. Notable areas include quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, synergistic approaches combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science, and wastewater-based epidemiology for public health monitoring. Recent work explores nanomaterial impacts on antibiotic resistance and Legionella inactivation.

Dr. Kirisits has received the Stanley P. Finch Centennial Professorship, a testament to her scholarly contributions. Her research bridges engineering and public health, addressing challenges in drinking water quality, disaster resilience (e.g., Hurricane Harvey impacts), and marginalized community water access in colonias. She actively engages in STEM outreach, particularly with underrepresented youth through K-12 programs.

Her lab’s innovations include biofilter optimization for manganese removal, rainwater harvesting systems, and biomineralization for self-healing construction materials. Collaborative efforts with industry and communities emphasize practical solutions for sustainable water systems and infrastructure resilience.