Natalie Cápiro

Research in the Cápiro lab focuses on the biotransformation of toxic emerging and traditional organic contaminants in the environment. We are particularly interested in resolving degradation pathways, microbial dynamics, and the interactions between biotic and abiotic processes that impact the fate and transport of these contaminants. Ongoing or recently completed investigations examine: (i) biological processes influencing natural attenuation of emerging contaminants (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances-PFAS); (ii) secondary impacts of in-situ bioremediation (e.g., iron mineral species and low pH) on groundwater quality; (iii) benefits and shortcomings of combining biological and physical-chemical processes (e.g., thermal treatment, reactive or sorptive nanoparticles) to achieve improved contaminant treatment (detoxification or sequestration) of  legacy (e.g., chlorinated ethenes) and/or emerging contaminants (e.g., PFAS and nanoparticles); and (iv) assessment of natural attenuation potential and development of predictive tools for remediation system design.  These studies lay the foundation for tackling a large variety of water quality issues and have implications for protecting human health and the environment. To expand the impact of the acquired knowledge beyond the traditional academic framework, we are working to make these (and other) results accessible to practitioners and impacted communities.

The Cápiro lab will be accepting Ph.D. students for Fall 2023.

SERDP Environmental Restoration Project of the Year 2012

Eleanor and Mills Bennett Fellowship in Hydrology, Rice Univ. 2003-2005

NSF Distinguished Sci. & Engr. Fellow of the Alliances for Grad. Ed. and Prof (AGEP) 2000-2003

Dr. Cápiro has taught several environmental engineering courses at the undergraduate and graduate student level.  A significant motivation behind her classroom instruction has been based on student interest. Namely, bringing the latest research and examples of field applications into the classroom. Her most recent course offerings include Introduction to Environmental Engineering, Biological Principles in Environmental Engineering, and Hazardous Waste Site Remediation. She plans to teach similar courses at Cornell.