Evangelia Anna Passa, a PhD student in environmental engineering at the University of Cincinnati, was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by the College of Engineering and Applied Science, according to a May 4 announcement. Passa’s dedication to water research and treatment technologies stems from an early interest sparked by a grade school project on water waste.
Passa said her passion for environmental protection and access to clean water has guided her academic journey. She credits the late Dionysious Dionysiou, professor of environmental engineering at UC, for inspiring her to pursue graduate studies at the university. “He believed in my potential and encouraged me to join his group as a PhD student, which strongly influenced my decision to apply,” she said.
Her research focuses on developing advanced treatment methods for emerging contaminants in drinking water and wastewater. “I work on UV-based advanced oxidation processes, where UV light is combined with oxidants such as chlorine and hydrogen peroxide to generate reactive species that can break down these contaminants,” Passa said. She added that even when water appears clean, trace chemicals may remain that are not removed by conventional systems.
Passa highlighted the importance of collaboration in her field through work with Assistant Professor Soryong Chae and researchers from multiple universities across the United States. She also participates actively in graduate student organizations within her department.
During her doctoral studies, Passa contributed as second author on a peer-reviewed publication and was nominated for an Ohio Section American Water Works Association Graduate Scholarship. She has presented research at several conferences and mentored undergraduate students as a teaching assistant.
Looking ahead, Passa expects to graduate in Spring 2027 and plans to continue working in research related to water quality either within industry or academia. “My goal is to keep working on meaningful problems, especially those related to water quality and treatment,” she said.
