The Oregon State University Sesquicentennial Oral History Project

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Theme: Environmental Engineering

Lew Semprini Oral History Interview - February 22, 2017

Lew Semprini Oral History Interview

Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
February 22, 2017
Lew Semprini (b. 1952) is a Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering who has been a member of the Oregon State faculty since 1993. An expert on in situ bioremediation of contaminated environments, Semprini has uncovered a wide array of mechanisms for treating hazardous substances that have polluted industrial, military and residential locations alike. One project in particular, which used samples of Willamette River water collected in Corvallis, led to the discovery of microorganisms that could metabolize chlorinated solvents. In his interview, Semprini details the evolution of his career as a scientist and engineer, with particular attention paid to the development of the Environmental Engineering program at OSU.

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