CONTACT: Megan Fellman at (847) 491-3115 or fellman@northwestern.edu

February 18, 2004

Rittmann Elected to National Academy of Engineering

Bruce E. Rittmann

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Bruce E. Rittmann, John Evans Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University, noted for his innovative work in environmental biotechnology, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest honors that can be accorded an engineer.

Academy membership honors those who have made “important contributions to engineering theory and practice, including significant contributions to the literature of engineering theory and practice.” Membership also rewards accomplishment in “the pioneering of new fields of engineering, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.”

Rittmann was cited for pioneering the development of biofilm fundamentals and contributing to their widespread use in the cleanup of contaminated waters, soils and ecosystems.

His research combines engineering with microbiology, biochemistry, geochemistry and microbial ecology to address fundamental and applied issues in the biological treatment of waters and wastewater, the bioremediation of contaminated aquifers and soils, and the recovery of energy from waste materials.

Rittmann has published more than 300 books, book chapters and journal papers and is listed as a highly cited author by the Institute for Scientific Information. Together with Perry McCarty, he authored the textbook “Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications” (McGraw-Hill Book Co.), which was released in 2001 and translated into Chinese, Korean and Japanese.

Rittmann is editor-in-chief of the international journal Biodegradation and is on the editorial advisory board of Environmental Science & Technology. He has served as president of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, vice-chair of the Water Science and Technology Board of the National Research Council (NRC) and a member of the E.P.A. Science Advisory Board. Rittmann chaired the NRC committees that published the books “In Situ Bioremediation: When Does It Work?” and “Natural Attenuation for Groundwater Remediation.”

Rittmann was awarded the first A.R.I. Clarke Prize for Outstanding Achievements in Water Science and Technology from the National Water Research Institute. He previously received the Walter Huber Research Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the University Scholar Award from the University of Illinois and the Presidential Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation.