Dr. Oliver Lorhemen
Title of talk:
Beyond Treatment: Advancing Wastewater Biorefinery for a Sustainable Future
Bio:
Oliver Iorhemen, Ph.D., P.Eng., is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). He earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering specialization) from the University of Calgary in 2019. Prior to joining UNBC in 2021, he was an NSERC postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alberta. At UNBC, Dr. Iorhemen has secured over CAD $1.6 million in competitive grants, as both Principal Investigator and Co Principal Investigator, including NSERC DG, NSERC RTI, NSERC Alliance International Catalyst Grant (twice), and Natural Resources Canada Oil Spill Response Challenge (Stages 1 & 2). With the support of these grants, he has founded the Bio‑innovative Water & Wastewater Biorefinery Laboratory where he directs research on resource recovery from biological wastewater treatment systems and process intensification of biofiltration for cost effective water treatment in the face of a changing climate. His research bridges environmental engineering, microbiology, chemistry, and other life sciences. In 2024, he received the UNBC Excellence in Teaching Award for his exemplary commitment to student learning, innovative teaching, and academic leadership. Dr. Iorhemen is currently the Vice Chair of the Northern BC section of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE), Subject Editor on the Editorial Board of Energy, Ecology and Environment, reviewer for both national and international grants. He is also a member of scholarly societies such as CSCE, the Canadian Association on Water Quality, the International Water Association, and the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors.