Sharon L. Walker

Sharon L. Walker is an academic leader and environmental engineering expert. Currently, she serves as the Dean of Drexel University's College of Engineering and holds the position of Distinguished Professor of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering. She is also the Executive Director of ELATES at Drexel, a national leadership development program dedicated to increasing the representation of women in STEM fields. Her role extends to being a courtesy faculty member in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science at Drexel.

She earned her PhD in Environmental Engineering and an MS in Chemical Engineering from Yale University, following her undergraduate studies in Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on water quality systems, particularly on the fate and transport of bacterial pathogens and nanomaterials in aquatic environments. She has published 250 conference papers and publications. Her work has explored critical issues such as water quality, food safety, and the impact of nanomaterials on the environment. She has also been a Fulbright Fellow and a recipient of the NSF Career Award,

Before joining Drexel, Sharon held significant academic leadership roles at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). She served as Interim Dean of the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering and was the John Babbage Chair in Environmental Engineering. During her time at UCR, she also contributed to student academic affairs and was actively involved in mentoring students, earning her recognition such as the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement.

Sharon is also known for her contributions to advancing diversity in STEM. At Drexel, through the ELATES program, she promotes leadership opportunities for women in engineering and science. She received accolades including fellowships with the Association for Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP), the Winifred Burks-Houck Professional Leadership Award, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).

She is an active member of several professional organisations, including the American Chemical Society (ACS) the Engineering Deans Council of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Association of Women in Science.

Sharon L. Walker was born in the United States and developed an interest in environmental engineering early in her life. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California, where she completed two degrees—one in Environmental Engineering and another in Environmental Studies—in 1998. Sharon then moved on to Yale University, where she earned a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in 2000 and a PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2004. During her time at Yale, she focused on research related to water quality systems, particularly studying how bacterial pathogens and nanomaterials behave in water. This research became the foundation of her career.

After completing her education, Sharon began her academic career at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in 2004. She joined as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and gradually worked her way up to becoming a full Professor by 2014. During her time at UCR, she conducted extensive research on water quality, food safety, and the environmental impact of nanomaterials. Her studies on how bacteria and nanoparticles interact with the environment have been highly influential, helping to improve water treatment methods and protect public health. 

Sharon L. Walker has published over 250 conference papers and research articles on topics related to environmental engineering, water quality, and nanomaterials. Some of her notable publications include studies on the "Bacterial adhesion and transport in porous media," which explores the role of secondary energy minimum in environmental systems. Another significant work is her research on the "Comparative environmental fate and toxicity of copper nanomaterials," which examines the impact of these materials on soil and water ecosystems. Additionally, Sharon has contributed to studies on "Mechanisms of TiO2 nanoparticle transport in porous media," shedding light on how nanoparticles behave in natural water systems. Her work on "Coupling physical and chemical mechanisms of colloid straining in saturated porous media" has also been influential in understanding how pollutants move through groundwater. These publications, among many others, have made substantial contributions to the field of environmental engineering and have been widely cited in both academic and industry research.

In addition to her research, Sharon took on several leadership roles at UCR. She was appointed the John Babbage Chair in Environmental Engineering and served as Interim Dean of the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering from 2015 to 2016. As Interim Dean, she focused on improving academic programmes for students and expanding research opportunities. She also served as Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs, where she oversaw initiatives to support student’s academic success and advised on curriculum development. Her dedication to mentoring students was recognised in 2011 when she received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement. Sharon also acted as a faculty advisor for student organisations, including the UCR chapters of Tau Beta Pi, the National Engineering Honour Society, and the Society of Women Engineers.

Sharon received the prestigious NSF Career Award, which supported her research from 2010 to 2015. She was also a Fulbright Fellow twice, with her first fellowship taking her to Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel from 2009 to 2010, where she further advanced her research on water quality. Her contributions to environmental engineering were also acknowledged when she was elected as a fellow of the Association for Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP).

In 2018, Sharon was appointed Dean of the College of Engineering at Drexel University, a position she continues to hold. As Dean, she has focused on increasing the college’s research output, fostering collaborations, and promoting diversity in STEM fields. She also holds the title of Distinguished Professor of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at Drexel and has courtesy faculty appointments in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science. At Drexel, she also serves as the Executive Director of ELATES, a national leadership development program aimed at increasing the representation of women in STEM fields.

Sharon has been actively involved in several professional organisations. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), which recognise her impact on scientific research and engineering education. In 2021, she received the Winifred Burks-Houck Professional Leadership Award from the National Organisation for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. Sharon is also a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and has served on the Engineering Deans Council of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), where she has helped shape national policies on engineering education.

She has also worked on various projects related to water quality, food safety, and nanotechnology. Her research has been cited extensively and has played a key role in improving our understanding of how engineered nanomaterials interact with natural environments. Her work has also influenced policy discussions on water safety and environmental protection.

Sharon is also a speaker on environmental engineering, diversity in STEM, and academic leadership. She has delivered numerous talks at conferences and events, where she shares her insights on these important topics.

Sharon L. Walker envisions a world where engineering and science contribute to solving global challenges such as clean water, environmental protection, and public health. She believes in the power of education to drive change and is committed to creating opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Sharon’s vision includes fostering innovation through interdisciplinary research and collaboration, ensuring that future generations of engineers and scientists are equipped with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex problems. She aims to build inclusive academic environments that support diversity and encourage the pursuit of excellence in all areas of engineering.