Bérubé Research Group
Advancing membrane technologies for reliable and sustainable water treatment while training the next generation of environmental engineers
Overview
Professor Pierre Bérubé leads a research program that advances membrane technologies for drinking water and wastewater treatment. The group investigates the mechanisms that limit membrane performance—including fouling, biofilm development, hydrodynamics, and material degradation—and develops engineering strategies that improve the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of membrane-based treatment systems.
The research team integrates environmental engineering, microbiology, fluid mechanics, and analytical chemistry and collaborates closely with utilities, industry partners, government agencies, and communities to address real operational challenges. Through this work, the group advances scientific understanding of membrane processes while developing practical solutions that strengthen the performance and resilience of water treatment infrastructure.
Training highly qualified personnel is a central focus of the program. Graduate students conduct research that combines fundamental science with applied engineering challenges while developing expertise in experimental design, advanced analytical methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through this experience, students learn to translate scientific discoveries into practical engineering solutions that advance water treatment systems and protect public health.
Recent News
- New Published PaperLong-term hydraulic performance and replacement forecasting of UF-PVDF membranes in water treatment. Great work Shishir and Jia (UofT) for leading this!
- Congratulations Baohui!Baohui Jia successfully defended his PhD dissertation : Membrane ageing in drinking water treatment : assessing the impact of natural organic matter foulants and hypochlorite interactions.