Dr. Rachel Brennan

Biography

Rachel Brennan is an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Penn State University. She specializes in Environmental Engineering with a focus on bioremediation, nutrient recovery, and sustainable agricultural practices. Her research interests encompass a wide range of topics including the development of biofertilizers, the ecological effects of nutrient recovery, and the global implications of food sustainability amidst climate change. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from New Mexico State University, a Master of Science, and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Over her career, Professor Brennan has garnered numerous awards including the Fulbright Specialist designation, the Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation, and the Premiere Teaching Award from the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society. She is deeply involved in academic leadership, promoting education and research in engineering while enhancing graduate education programs. Professor Brennan has also contributed to several national research projects aimed at addressing food resilience and sustainability in engineering education. Her extensive publication record includes articles in top-tier journals focused on sustainable practices in civil and environmental engineering.

Research Interests

Experience