Menachem Elimelech, PhD
Director, Rice Center for Membrane Excellence (RiCeME)
Professor Elimelech’s research is in the general area of the water-energy nexus. Specifically, the research in his group involves: (i) membrane-based processes for energy-efficient desalination and wastewater reuse, (ii) advanced materials for next-generation environmental separation and water decontamination technologies, and (iii) environmental applications and nanomaterials.
Professor Elimelech has authored more than 560 refereed journal publications, including invited review articles in Science and Nature, and is a co-author of the book Particle Deposition and Aggregation (1995). He is a Clarivate (Web of Science) Highly Cited Researcher.
Professor Elimelech has received numerous major awards in recognition of his research. Notable among these are the Eni Prize for Protection of the Environment in 2015; election to the United States National Academy of Engineering in 2006, the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2017, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2021, the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2022, the National Academy of Engineering of Korea in 2022; and the Clarke Prize for excellence in water research in 2005.
Professor Elimelech has advised 56 Ph.D. students and 56 postdoctoral researchers, many of whom hold leading positions in academia and industry. In recognition of his excellence and dedication in teaching and mentoring, he received the W.M. Keck Foundation Engineering Teaching Excellence Award in 1994, the Yale University Graduate Mentoring Award in 2004, and the Yale University Postdoctoral Mentoring Prize in 2012.
Research Areas
• Membrane-based processes for energy-efficient desalination and wastewater reuse.
• Advanced materials for next-generation environmental separation and water decontamination technologies.
• Environmental applications of nanomaterials
Education
• B.S., Soil and Water Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1983
• M.S. Environmental Science & Technology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1985
• Ph.D. Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 1989
Honors & Awards
• Honorary Professor, Tsinghua University, Tongji University, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (2026)
• Sydney Loeb Award, European Desalination Society (2025)
• Laureate Distinguished Fellow, International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI) (2024)
• Connecticut Medal of Technology (2024)
• International Water Association Membrane Technology Award (2023)
• Honorary Doctorate, Ben-Gurion University, Israel (2023)
• Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (2022)
• Election to the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (2022)
• Election to the Canadian Academy of Engineering (2022)
• American Chemical Society, Outstanding Achievements in Environmental Science and Technology Award (2022)
• Election to the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (2021)
• Election to the Chinese Academy of Engineering (2017)
• Eni Prize for 'Protection of the Environment' (2015)
• The Simon W. Freese Environmental Engineering Award, American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE (2011)
• The American Institute of Chemical Engineers Lawrence K. Cecil Award (2008)
• Election to the National Academy of Engineering (2006)
• The Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize (2005)
• American Society of Civil Engineers, Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize (1996)