GEOSTRATA, 2015, May/June, 14-15

Krishna Reddy, PhD, PE, D.GE, F.ASCE, is a winner of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) Researcher of the Year Award for 2014, as a Distinguished Researcher. The award is bestowed by the University to recognize the efforts and commitment of researchers who have demonstrated outstanding research achievements in their field of expertise and promoted excellence in research at UIC.

His research focuses on a number of emerging environmental challenges in waste management, using innovative approaches like phytoremediation, a green technology utilizing plants to mitigate environmental problems without the need to excavate contaminated material and dispose of it elsewhere. His research takes a holistic approach, striving to maximize the environmental, social, and economic benefits of a project. He has developed a new Social Sustainability Evaluation Matrix to assess socio-economic considerations in selecting remedial technologies for site-specific conditions. This Matrix addresses the challenging issues of social acceptance and equity in remedial decisions.

Dr. Reddy has collaborated with the Chicago Park District and Argonne National Laboratory on multiple projects, including a field-scale demonstration of phytoremediation at a heavily impacted wetland site in southwest Chicago. This demonstration provides value to both the research community and the neighborhood, as the restored wetland will eventually serve as a nature reserve and recreational area for local residents.

Dr. Reddy is the chair of the upcoming Geo-Chicago 2016 conference with the theme “Sustainability, Energy, and the Geoenvironment.” He was presented with the award at a reception on February 25, 2015. Honorees receive a one-time monetary prize and a commemorative award.