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Kara L. Nelson is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where she holds the Blum Chancellor's Chair in Development Engineering. She received her B.S. degree in Biophysics from UC Berkeley in 1992, her M.S.E degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington in 1996, and her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 2001. Prof. Nelson's research focuses on developing innovative technologies to promote environmentally sustainable and socially equitable water infrastructure practices globally. Her specific research interests include pathogen detection and removal in water sludge, water reuse, nutrient recovery, drinking water sanitation in low-resource regions, and wastewater-based surveillance. In addition to her research, she teaches courses related to innovation in the water sector, drinking water and wastewater treatment processes, and pathogen detection. Nelson has received numerous awards for her mentorship and service, including the Faculty Award for Outstanding Mentorship. She has also served as the Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion in the College of Engineering and as the President of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors from 2011 to 2022. Prof. Nelson is committed to creating an inclusive climate where everyone can reach their full potential.
University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA
Teaching and conducting research in Civil and Environmental Engineering, focusing on sustainable water infrastructure.
The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.