Birthe Kjellerup

Birthe Kjellerup is a professor of civil and environmental engineering and co-director of the University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Microbiome Sciences where she leads research in human health advancement.

Her research focuses on the diversity and activity of microbial biofilms in complex systems such as sediment, stormwater, soil, groundwater, and the human body. She studies the biodegradation and bioremediation of persistent organic pollutants, including PCBs, chlorinated solvents, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Kjellerup also works in wastewater-based epidemiology, monitoring pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, and investigates biocorrosion in drinking water and oil pipelines.