Principal Investigator

Samir Kumar Khanal

Ph.D., P.E. · Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering · Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Biography

Growing up in the birthplace of Lord Buddha, I developed an early passion for teaching and science. I had my first teaching experience as a volunteer science and math teacher in Nepal when I was just 17. I chose science as my major in college to become a teacher — but after securing distinctions in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, my teachers and peers persuaded me toward medicine or engineering. Unwilling to dissect frogs, I chose engineering, yet never abandoned my dream of teaching — continuing graduate studies to the doctoral level.


I obtained all of my degrees from Asian universities: B.S. from the Malaviya National Institute of Technology (India), M.S. from the Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand), and Ph.D. from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. In addition to research and teaching, I enjoy playing racquetball (intramural champion at Iowa State), hiking, and have travelled to over 50 countries for research-related activities.

Education & Training

PD
Mar 2002 – Feb 2004
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
Environmental Biotechnology / Resource Recovery / Bioenergy
PhD
Feb 1998 – Feb 2002
Doctor of Philosophy
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Environmental Engineering (Environmental Biotechnology)
ME
Jan 1996 – Aug 1997
Master of Engineering
Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand
Environmental Engineering (Water / Wastewater Engineering)
BE
Sept 1988 – Jan 1993
Bachelor of Engineering
Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India
Civil Engineering

Professional Positions

August 2025 – Present
Professor
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
August 2018 – Present
Professor
Dept. of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Aug 2012 – July 2018
Associate Professor
Dept. of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Jan 2008 – Jul 2012
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (granted early tenure)
Jan 2015 – Present
Collaborating Professor
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Jun–Aug 2014; May–Jul 2013
Visiting Professor / DAAD Fellow
State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy, Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, Germany
Jun 2016; Jun 2017
Visiting Professor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
Mar 2004 – Dec 2007
Research Assistant Professor
Dept. of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University
Feb 1998 – Feb 2002
Research / Teaching Assistant
Dept. of Civil Engineering, HKUST

Awards & Recognition

Board of Regents' Medal for Excellence in Research
The highest research award bestowed by the University of Hawaii System
Elsevier Impactful Research Award in Bioresource Technology
Awarded for transformative, high-impact research contributions
CTAHR Dean's Award for Excellence in Research
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Mānoa
R&D 100 Award — Fungal Process for Ethanol Plant Stillage Treatment
With J. van Leeuwen, M. Rasmussen, and A.L. Pometto III
IWA Project Innovation Award
International Water Association — value-added products from corn milling stillage
AAEE University Research Grand Prize
American Association of Environmental Engineering Excellence Award, Washington, D.C.
DAAD Research Fellowship, Germany
State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy, Hohenheim University

Academic Honors

Mar 2001
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Dept. of Civil Engineering, HKUST, Hong Kong
May 2000 & Sep 2001
Graduate Student Research Grant
University Grant Commission, HKUST
Aug 1997
Excellent Grade Award for M.S. Research
Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok
Jul 1987
Tribhuvan University Teachers Association Award
Excellent academic performance, Butwal Multiple Campus, Nepal