Professor Nathalie Tufenkji's research delves into particle-surface interactions, with a focus on safeguarding water resources, combating plastic pollution, and discovering natural antimicrobials.
As an Adjunct Professor, at UNU-INWEH, she contributes to the institute's research and capacity-building initiatives on water quality and plastic pollution, covering topics such as water and wastewater treatment, microplastics and nanoparticles in aquatic environments, and particle-surface interactions.
Professor Tufenkji’s research contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Killam Research Fellowship, the Engineers Canada Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession, the Chemical Institute of Canada Environment Division Research & Development Dima Award, the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Science and Technology, and the Hatch Innovation Award of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineers. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.
She is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at McGill University, where she holds the Tier I Canada Research Chair in Biocolloids and Surfaces. Her academic journey includes a BEng in Chemical Engineering from McGill University, followed by MSc and PhD degrees in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from Yale University.