February 18, 2004
Rittmann Elected to National Academy of Engineering
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. |