Olya S. Keen

Dr. Olya S. Keen is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research spans emerging contaminants, wastewater treatment, and UV-based technologies, with extramural funding from agencies like the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. She leads the Keen Lab, where students investigate antibiotic transformation products, microplastics in biosolids, and advanced oxidation processes.

Research Focus:
Her work addresses environmental challenges through three pillars:

• Emerging Contaminants: Detection, fate, and treatment of pharmaceuticals/microplastics.
• Water Reuse: Advanced treatment for municipal/industrial applications.
• UV Processes: Photolysis and oxidation for contaminant degradation.

Awards & Leadership:

• Chair, AWWA Organic Contaminants Research Committee (2015–present)
• Featured research at ACS 2015 on antibiotic-resistance implications

Student Advising:
She mentors graduate students like Chideraa Ndubuisi (NC WRRI grant recipient) and Xueying Brown (3MT competition winner), with projects spanning microplastics, potable reuse, and disinfection byproducts.