Greetings from Purdue and welcome to the spring 2018 newsletter!

Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) is conducting innovative research with an impact. Much of this research is directed at improving the sustainability practices of major manufacturing companies and ultimately the lives of individuals around the world. And, through our research, we are engaging our undergraduate and graduate students -- by the way, in only two years our graduate program has grown to 42 students.

Meet EEE alumni Maithilee Das (BSEEE 2015) and Matt Britton (BSEEE 2014).

A class in Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University is stepping outside the typical classroom setting to provide a real-world, client-based design experience for students. EEE 49500, Urban Water Projects was launched in 2013 by the Director of Service Learning, Dr. Lindsay Payne in an effort to provide best-management practices when dealing with items like stormwater.

This issue's research spotlight focuses on two EEE faculty members and their research groups: Assistant Professor Andrew Whelton and Fehsenfeld Family Head of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Professor John W. Sutherland.

EEE professor, Dr. Chad Jafvert was recognized as a Purdue University Teaching Academy Fellow during a ceremony held last fall. Academy fellows are recognized for their outstanding and scholarly teaching in graduate, undergraduate or engagement programs. Candidates were identified by their individual department or college/school based upon evidence of excellence in teaching, innovation in teaching methodology, teaching-related service, and scholarship in teaching and learning.

In this issue, we introduce you to Melissa Moran and Brad Kohlmeyer.

The 2018 AEESP Distinguished Lecturer Conference was recently held at Purdue University and featured keynote speaker Dr. Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez was selected as the 2017-18 AEESP Foundation Distinguished Lecturer in recognition of his excellence as both a researcher and educator in the field of environmental engineering. He currently serves as director of the Nanosystems Engineering Research Center on Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment at Rice University.

EEE graduate student Andres Valero received the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) grant totaling over $10,000.

A group of Purdue students in partnership with the Rotary Club of Lafayette traveled to the Dominican Republic in December to work on a project implementing water treatment systems. This trip marks the second stage of a three-year collaboration that began in August.