Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University
M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University
B.E., Environmental Engineering, Hanoi University of Technology
Dr. Vu joined Marian University in Fall 2024 as an Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He has over 10-year experience in environmental engineering, nanotechnology, wastewater treatment, and water quality. His research interests involve the application of nanotechnology to solve environmental challenges. His current work focuses on the development and use of innovative, effective, and sustainable nanobioremediation technologies for removing emerging contaminants. In addition, he has taught a broad range of civil and environmental engineering courses. His teaching approach combines flexible pedagogical techniques with collaborative engagement, fostering an environment where students can quickly learn new concepts and develop a deeper interest in the subject matter. He is dedicated to bridging theory and practice by encouraging students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world environmental problems, promoting active learning and critical thinking skills essential for their academic and professional growth.
Environmental nanotechnology, microbiology, wastewater treatment, water treatment, water quality, emerging contaminants removal, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), membrane, bioinformatics, and environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Introduction to Engineering (EGR 101)
Programming for Engineers (EGR 151)
Surveying (CVE 301)
Environmental Engineering (CVE 311)
Engineering Economics (EGR 317)
Engineering Statistics (EGR 326)
Hydraulics Engineering (CVE 332)
Environmental Nanotechnology (CVE 405)
Environmental Microbiology (CVE 406)
Vu, K.A., “Biosurfactant–Nanomaterial Hybrid Systems as Green Engineering Solutions for Environmental Remediation.” Canadian Societies for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 2026 Conferences and Exhibition, Toronto, Canada, 2026.
Vu, K.A., “Urban water systems as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes: sources, microbiological mechanisms, and implications for environmental monitoring.” Total Environment Microbiology. 2026. 2 (2), 100090. DOI: 10.1016/j.temicr.2026.100090.
Vu, K.A., “Plastics as Vectors for Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Aquatic Systems.” Water Science and Technology. 2026, 93(4), 552-568. DOI: 10.2166/wst.2026.226.
Vu, K.A., “Beyond the Numbers: Public Perception and Water Quality Standards.” Engineering Unleashed card (#5061), 2025.
Johnson, B.O, Shaffer M., North D., Vu, K.A., Bibby, K.J., “Assessing the Concentration Efficiency and Geographic and Temporal Distribution of Plasmid pBI143 in Wastewater.” Environmental Science and Technology Letters. 2024, 11(8), 812-817. DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00485.
Vu, K.A., Bibby, K., “Application of Dye/Enzyme treatment for removing free nucleic acids in wastewater.” Midwest Microbiome Symposium: Resilience & Microbial Communities, West Lafayette, Indiana, 2024.
Vu, K.A., Shaffer, M., North, D., Bibby, K., “Exclude free nucleic acid in wastewater using Dye/Enzyme pretreatment method.” The first annual Microbes in Wastewater: Molecular Approaches in Pathogen & AMR Surveillance, Laguna Beach, California, 2024.
Vu, K.A., Nguyen, T.A., Nguyen T.P., “Advances in pretreatment methods for free nucleic acid removal in wastewater samples: enhancing accuracy in pathogenic detection and future directions.” Applied Microbiology. 2024, 4(1), 1-15. DOI: 10.3390/applmicrobiol4010001.
Vu, K.A., Mulligan, C.N., “Removal of Oil Pollutants in Soil.” Encyclopedia. 2023. Available online:
Vu, K.A., Mulligan, C.N., “An overview on the treatment of oil pollutants in soil using synthetic and biological surfactant foam and nanoparticles.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023, 24(3), 1916. DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031916.
Vu, K.A., Mulligan, C.N., “Remediation of organic contaminated soil by Fe-based nanoparticles and surfactants: A review.” Environmental Technology Reviews. 2023, 12(1), 60-82. DOI: 10.1080/21622515.2023.2177200.
Vu, K.A., Mulligan, C.N., “Utilization of a biosurfactant foam/nanoparticle mixture for treatment of oil pollutants in soil.” Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2022, 88618-88629. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21938-9.
Vu, K.A., Mulligan, C.N., “Remediation of oil-contaminated soil using Fe/Cu nanoparticles and biosurfactants.” Environmental Technology. 2022, 1-13. DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2061381.
Vu, K.A., Mulligan, C.N., “Preparation of a biosurfactant foam/nanoparticle mixture for removing the oil from soil.” The 44th AMOP Technical Seminar on Environmental Contamination and Response, Edmonton, Alberta, 2022.
Vu, K.A., Mulligan, C.N., “Oil removal from contaminated soil by biosurfactants and Fe/Cu nanoparticles.” Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Annual Conference (CSCE 2022), Whistler, British Columbia, 2022.
Vu, K.A., Mulligan, C.N., “Treatment of oil pollutants in soil using a biosurfactant/nanoparticle suspension.” The 20th Global Joint Seminar on Geo-Environmental Engineering (GEE2022), Osaka, Japan, 2022.
Most recent updates can be found on his Google Scholar Profile.
MDPI publisher (Guest Editor)
Springer publisher (Assistant Editor)
Frontiers publisher (Review Editor)
Reviewer for: Applied Microbiology, Applied Sciences, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, Environmental Technology and Innovation, International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Journal of Environmental Quality, Microplastics, RSC Advances, Sustainability, Water Science and Technology.
American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Water Works Association
American Society for Engineering Education
Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) Unleashed Faculty Development
Faculty Board of Appeals
Senate Committee
Institutional Assessment Committee
Community Outreach ESW SOE
St. Patrick Scholar Award Committee
Environmental Consultant/Engineer with over 10-year experience in environmental engineering, nanotechnology, microbiology, water/wastewater treatment, water quality, soil remediation, air pollution control, environmental management (ISO 14001), hazardous waste management, risk assessment, environmental impact assessment (EIA), life cycle assessment (LCA), and environmental law & policy.
