Gregory Lowry
Walter J. Blenko, Sr. Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Courtesy Appointment, Chemical Engineering
Greg Lowry is the Walter J. Blenko, Sr. Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is deputy director of the NSF/EPA Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT), and is on the editorial board for Environmental Science: Nano and Nature: Scientific Data. Lowry holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of California at Davis, an M.S. in civil and environmental engineering from University of Wisconsin at Madison, and a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from Stanford University.
His research focuses on environmental geochemistry, nanochemistry, and environmental nanotechnology. His current professional interests include applications of nanomaterials for sustainable agriculture, robotics for autonomous soil sampling and site characterization, environmental fate and transport of chemicals, groundwater remediation, and environmental issues related to fossil energy.
Lowry is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He has published more than 150 scientific articles in leading environmental engineering and science journals, and a book on nanoscale iron particles for groundwater remediation. He has received awards for his research from the American Society of Civil Engineers (Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Award), the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (Malcolm Pirnie/AEESP Frontiers in Research Award), and the American Chemical Society (Best Feature Article in Environmental Science &Technology for 2012). He received the Distinguished Service award from AEESP in 2018, and was awarded the Fenves Award for Systems Research in 2011. He is a “highly cited” scientist (top 1%) in the area of ecology and environment according to Thompson Reuters/Clarivate (2014-2018).
Lowry’s research has been supported by the federal government (National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army Research Office, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), with additional grant support from industry. Lowry has served on two NAS panels: Science Breakthroughs to Advance Food and Agricultural Research by 2030 and the Committee to Develop a Research Strategy for Environmental Health and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials. He served as a science advisory board member for the international research Centers, NANOREM and NANOFASE.
Discovering how Nanoparticles Dissolve in Natural Water Environments
Nanoparticles in Complex Environmental Systems
Education
2000 Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
1995 MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin
1992 BS, Chemical Engineering, University of California
Media mentions
Faculty award winners announced
Congratulations to the 2024 faculty award winners who represent six departments across the College of Engineering. The recipients were recognized for their achievements as researchers and educators.
CMU Engineering
How medical models can transform agriculture
At the intersection of plants and nanomedicine perhaps lies a solution to current unsustainable agricultural practices and meeting increasing global food demands.
CMU Engineering
Undergraduates present research at Meeting of the Minds 2024
Engineering undergraduate students had a wonderful showing at Meeting of the Minds, displaying posters, giving presentations, and demonstrating projects they have worked on this past academic year.
CMU Engineering
Carnegie Mellon alumni fund climate adaptation research
Generous commitment from Yeming and Aaron Rankin will support research in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Scott Institute.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Carnegie Mellon alumni fund climate adaptation research
Yeming and Aaron Rankin, Carnegie Mellon alumni, make a transformative commitment establishing the Engineering Resilience for Climate Adaptation Fund, fostering impactful research. Their generous initiative aims to cultivate a center of excellence, driving innovation and resilience to combat climate change's impact, ultimately shaping a more sustainable future.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
New directions: graduate program changes reflect an evolving field and future
CEE faculty is revamping graduate programs to address pressing challenges like climate change and inequities with four new pathways—IESS, CREST, SETS, and MCM—equipping students with interdisciplinary skills to drive positive change. These changes will also impact undergraduate research and PhD topics, fostering innovation in civil and environmental engineering.
CMU Engineering
Immunizing plants against climate stress with nanoparticles
Professor Greg Lowry has created nanoparticles that can immunize a plant against extreme heat for a 15 day window.
CMU Engineering
How sustainable is online grocery delivery?
Researchers investigated the impacts of online grocery delivery on energy use, emissions, and traffic congestion.
Carnegie Mellon University
Three Engineering faculty named University Professors
Three College of Engineering faculty members have been elevated to the rank of University Professor, the highest distinction a faculty member can receive at Carnegie Mellon: CEE Head Burcu Akinci, CyLab Director Lorrie Faith Cranor, and CEE’s Greg Lowry.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Akinci and Lowry named University Professors
CEE Professors Burcu Akinci and Greg Lowry have been elevated to the rank of University Professor, the highest distinction a faculty member can receive at Carnegie Mellon.
Clarivate
Lowry among Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers
CEE’s Greg Lowry was listed as one of Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers in the category of Environment and Ecology in the 2022 rankings.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
The rise of digital twins
Part Three: A Space Ripe for Innovation & Industry Collaboration