Benito Mariñas, the Ivan Racheff Professor of Environmental Engineering, has been chosen as the new head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Illinois. An exceptional teacher, Mariñas is a leader in the area of mechanistic aspects of chemical and ultraviolet light disinfection processes, chemistry of nitrogenous disinfection by-product formation and control, and novel membrane technologies for controlling water-borne pathogens and chemical contaminants.
Written by
Benito Mariñas, the Ivan Racheff Professor of Environmental Engineering, has been chosen as the new head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Illinois. His appointment was effective February 16, 2015, pending approval by the University’s Board of Trustees.
Benito Marinas“The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Illinois has long been the top-ranked program for both graduate and undergraduate studies. That recognition is the result of continuing excellence across-the-board—outstanding research, engaged teaching, and extensive public service,” explained Andreas Cangellaris, dean of the College of Engineering. “Professor Mariñas’ exceptional scholarship, his global stature as a thought leader and an innovator in processes and technologies for water sustainability and safety, and his record of successful leadership as interim head during the past year make him the perfect choice for the job.”
Mariñas is a leader in the area of mechanistic aspects of chemical and ultraviolet light disinfection processes, chemistry of nitrogenous disinfection by-product formation and control, and novel membrane technologies for controlling water-borne pathogens and chemical contaminants.
Since joining the Illinois faculty in 1995, he has been recognized by multiple awards for both teaching and research including the CEE department’s Arthur and Virginia Nauman Faculty Scholar Award (1998-2005) and Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising. He has appeared on the Center for Teaching Excellence “Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent” 18 times.
Mariñas is a member of the American Chemical Society, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works Association, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, International Water Association, and Water Environment Federation.