Timothy J. Strathmann

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

2025-Strathmann-Headshot-high-resolution-scaled-e1745601813217-300x300 Timothy Strathmann

Contact

303-384-2226
strthmnn@mines.edu

Dr. Strathmann’s research group applies modern chemical research tools and techniques to develop more sustainable technologies for environmental and energy applications. The group is currently developing technologies that employ innovative catalytic, hydrothermal, and photochemical processes to treat highly reclacitrant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), produce bio-renewable energy and chemicals, and recover valuable resources from waste streams.

Labs and Research Centers

Education

  • PhD, Environmental Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 2001
  • MS, Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 1996
  • BS, Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 1995

Research Areas

Current research projects include:

  • Developing innovative technologies to remediate water, soil and other environmental matrices contaminated by persistent and toxic fluorochemicals (e.g., PFOS, PFOA)
  • Assessing the effectiveness and sustainability of multi-stage treatment trains for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
  • Valorizing waste streams through integrated biochemical-hydrothermal-catalytic conversion processes that produce liquid fuels, valuable industrial chemicals, and fertilizer

Check out Dr. Strathmann’s Research Group Website for more information.

Publications

  • O. Soker, B. Tajdini, A. Abarca-Perez, A. Wadia, C. Bellona, S. Hao, K. Doudrick, and T.J. Strathmann. (2025). Reuse of Spent Granular Activated Carbon for PFAS Removal Following Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment. Water Research 283, 123794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.123794
  • A.C. Ellis, T.H. Boyer, and T.J. Strathmann (2025). Regeneration of Conventional and Emerging PFAS-Selective Anion Exchange Resins Used to Treat PFAS-Contaminated. Waters. Separation and Purification Technology. 355, Part B, 129789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2024.129789
  • A.M. Griffin, C. Bellona, and T.J. Strathmann (2024). Rejection of PFAS and Priority Co-Contaminants in Semiconductor Fabrication Wastewater by Nanofiltration Membranes. Water Research. 262, 122111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.122111
  • Amador, S. Vyas, and T.J. Strathmann (2024). Kinetic Modal for Predicting Perfluoroalkyl Acid Degradation during UV-Sulfite Treatment. Environmental Science and Technology. 58, 6425-6434. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c10584
  • Feng, Y. Li, T.J. Strathmann, and J.S. Guest. (2024). Characterizing the Opportunity Space for Sustainable Hydrothermal Valorization of Wet Organic Wastes. Environmental Science and Technology. 58, 2528-2541. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c07394
  • Hao, P.N. Reardon, Y.J. Choi, C. Zhang, J.M. Sanchez, C.P. Higgins, and T.J. Strathmann. (2023). Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT) of Foam Fractionation Concentrate Derived from PFAS-Contaminated Groundwater. Environmental Science & Technology. 57, 17154-17165. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c05140
  • C. Ellis, T.H. Boyer, Y. Fang, C.J. Liu, and T.J. Strathmann (2023). Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Anion Exchange and Granular Activated Carbon Systems for Remediation of Groundwater Contaminated by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs). Water Research. 243, 120324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2023.120324
  • C. Ellis, C.J. Liu, Y. Fang, T.H. Boyer, C.E. Schaefer, C.P. Higgins, and T.J. Strathmann. (2022). Pilot study comparison of regenerable and emerging single-use anion exchange resins for treatment of groundwater contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Water Research. 223, 119019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.119019
  • Hao, Y.J. Choi, R.A. Deeb, T.J. Strathmann, and C.P. Higgins. (2022). Application of Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment for Destruction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Contaminated Groundwater and Soil. Environmental Science & Technology. 56, 6647-6657. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c00654

Please see Dr. Strathmann’s Google Scholar Profile for full list of publications

Awards and Honors

  • Distinguished Service Awards, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP), 2019 and 2021
  • Honorary Professorship, Tongji University, Shanghai, China, 2013 – 2017
  • Visiting Professorship, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 2011
  • Campus Award for Excellence in Guiding Undergraduate Research, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), 2010
  • Snoeyink Faculty Scholar, UIUC, 2010
  • NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, 2008