Dr. Natalie Mladenov
Associate Professor
Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering
San Diego State University

As global demands on fresh water resources escalate, there are mounting pressures on natural systems and increasing needs to find sustainable solutions to address global water and sanitation challenges. My research  investigates degradation of organics in wastewater treatment and water reuse systems and applies optical spectroscopic techniques for rapid tracking of contaminants . My research also investigates sources of surface water contamination in urban environments and has delved into the biogeochemical processes that influence mobility of toxic trace elements, such as arsenic. A key aspect of my research is advancing our understanding of how natural organic matter (NOM) interacts with solutes, sediments, and microorganisms to influence water quality in pristine and polluted environments.

Research Interests
Water reuse to promote water-energy-food sustainability
Surface and ground water quality 
NOM-microbe-trace element interactions
Fluorescence-based sensors
Atmospheric deposition and bioaerosols

Education        
PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Colorado
MS in Civil Engineering, University of Colorado  
BS in Civil Engineering, University of South Florida
BA in Art, University of South Florida 
NEWS
June 2018
Congratulations!!!
  • Federick Pinongcos and Kristen Snyder selected for Carol Forrest, P.E. Memorial Watershed Management Scholarship!
  • Lorelay Mendoza selected for Sally Casanova Scholarship!
May 2018
  • Congratulations WIRLab graduates! Laura P. and Lauren S.
  • Lauren Steinberg selected for summer research in South Africa.
April 2018
Our collaborative river research is in the news!
March 2018
  • Sanchez, Panduro, and Mendoza all present at SDSU's Student Research Symposium. Mendoza awarded Dean's Award for her presentation on fluorescence monitoring of sewage spills.
  • Sanchez and Mendoza selected as summer scholars in the ReNUWIt Program at UC Berkeley.
  • Wasswa et al. paper on temperature correction of in-situ fluorescence sensors accepted in Environmental Engineering Science.
January 2018
American Chemical Society abstracts for 2018 Annual Conference accepted:
  • B. Casad., N. Mladenov, M. Palomo "Undergraduate international research at the food-energy-water nexus: influence on research skills, research confidence, and cultural enrichment."
  • L. Mendoza et al. poster, "Fluorescence based monitoring of sewage inputs to urban rivers."
  • A. Sanchez et al. poster,  "Organic matter permeability in relation to ultrafiltration membrane fouling."
  • IRES and SDSU student poster, " Diurnal variability in organic matter constituents in an anaerobic baffled reactor treating domestic wastewater for agricultural water reuse applications."
November 2017
  • World Toilet Day is on Nov. 19
  • Mladenov et al. paper on Using submersible fluorescence sensors to track decentralized wastewater treatment system performance is in press in Water Science & Technology.
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