Remembering Professor Emeritus Stuart Strand

Known for his pioneering work at the intersection of microbiology and environmental engineering, Professor Emeritus Stuart Strand dedicated his career to developing sustainable solutions for some of the planet’s most persistent pollutants. He passed away in February 2025.

Strand joined CEE in 2003, following more than two decades as a researcher and faculty member in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. His work focused on using plants and microbes to remove contaminants from soil, water, and air, from chlorinated hydrocarbons to military explosives and greenhouse gases. Among his most notable projects was a field study demonstrating how genetically engineered switchgrass could break down toxic explosives in contaminated soils, offering a low-cost, sustainable path to remediation approach.

He was also widely recognized for his indoor air research, including the development of genetically modified houseplants that can remove hazardous pollutants such as chloroform and benzene, a practical example of what he called the “green liver” concept.

Strand’s academic path began with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from The Ohio State University, followed by a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He joined the University of Washington in 1982.

Outside the lab, he was known for his love of cycling and could often be spotted riding his recumbent bike along the Burke-Gilman Trail.

His contributions to environmental engineering and his inquisitive spirit will be fondly remembered by his colleagues and students alike.