Dr. Lokesh Padhye is an Associate Professor of environmental engineering at the University of Auckland. He obtained his Masters and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta. He is also a registered professional engineer (P.E.) with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Engineering New Zealand. Prior to joining the University of Auckland, he worked as an environmental engineer with Geosyntec Consultants (Atlanta) and as an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB). Dr Padhye was also a Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Visiting Professor at IITB.
Dr. Padhye’s research group focuses on understanding and improving water quality for natural and built environments. His group’s research is focused on the identification, fate, and toxicological relevance of emerging and legacy water pollutants. His group’s expertise is also in the synthesis and application of novel photochemical and electrochemical catalysts and adsorbents for advanced water treatment and reuse. Dr. Padhye is also deeply committed to working with indigenous communities in New Zealand and other Pacific Islands to help increase Oceania’s resilience to water stress issues related to climate change through the Oceania Water Research Consortium (OWRC) and Circular Innovations (CIRCUIT) Research Centre.