Biography

Dr. Amber Pete is an assistant professor in the Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She joined S&T in the Fall of 2024. Before joining the department, she was an assistant professor at the University of North Alabama. Dr. Pete graduated with a BA in Philosophy from McNeese State University before returning to pursue a degree in Engineering with a concentration in Chemical Engineering, also from McNeese. Her PhD in Chemical Engineering is from Louisiana State University, where she was co-advised by Drs. Mike Benton and Bhuvnesh Bharti. Her research interest lies in environmental work, where she studies how indigenous microorganisms can be used to remove organic contaminants.

Research Interests

Our lab focuses on finding solutions to environmental pollutants. We study environmentally friendly nanoparticles that can increase the natural biodegradation rates of crude oil spills in marine waters. We also study the influence of microorganisms on microplastics in the water, which we believe will eventually lead to developing techniques to increase the biodegradation rates of plastic pollution. Some of our research interests include:

• Bioremediation
• Oil spills
• Microplastics
• Biosurfactants
• Environmental engineering
• Bioremediation
• Nanomaterials
• Biofilm formation
• Colloids and interface science

Education

• 2022- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University
• 2018- BSE in Engineering (Chemical Engineering Concentration), McNeese State University
• 2012- BA in Philosophy, McNeese State University