Samir Kumar Khanal, Ph.D., P.E.
I grew up in the birthplace of Lord Buddha. I had a passion for teaching from an early age. 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 science teacher. Unfortunately or fortunately (I don't know), I ended up securing distinctions in physics, chemistry, and math. My teachers and peers persuaded me to go to a medical or an engineering school. During my biology class, I never enjoyed dissecting frogs and earthworms. At that point, I knew that I could never be a good doctor. That's how I ended up as an engineer. However, I never gave up my dream of becoming a "teacher", and continued my graduate studies up to the doctoral level. I obtained all my degrees from Asian universities (B.S. India, M.S. Thailand and Ph.D. Hong Kong). In addition to my academic job, I enjoy playing racquetball. By the way, I was an intramural champion at Iowa State. I also enjoy hiking and traveling. I have traveled to over 50 countries
in the world for research-related activities.
MY EDUCATION
Mar 2002- Feb 2004
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Major: Environmental Biotechnology/Resource Recovery/Bioenergy
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Feb 1998 - Feb 2002
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Major: Environmental Engineering (Environmental Biotechnology)
Doctor of Philosophy
Jan 1996-Aug 1997
Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand
Major: Environmental Engineering (Water/Wastewater Engineering)
Master of Engineering
Sep 1988 - Jan 1993
Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India
Major: Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering
PROFESSIONAL POSITION
PROFESSOR
August 2018 to present
Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Aug 2012 to July 2018
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Jan 2008 to Jul 2012
Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawai’i at Manoa (granted early tenure and promotion)
COLLABORATING PROFESSOR
Jan 2015 to present
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa
VISITING PROFESSOR
Jun to Jul 2016; Dec 2016 to Jan 2017; Jul to Aug 2017
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun-Yat Sen University, Guangzhou, China
VISITING PROFESSOR
Jun 2016; Jun 2017
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
VISITING PROFESSOR
Jun to Aug 2014
State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy, Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, Germany
DAAD RESEARCH FELLOW
May to Jul 2013
State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy, Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, Germany
INSTRUCTOR
Jul 1 to Aug 2, 2013
Sustainable Engineering, Université Catholique de Lille, Lille, France
VISITING SCIENTIST
May to Jul 2012
German Biomass Research Center, Leipzig, Germany
GRADUATE CHAIR
Jan 2009 to present
Biological Engineering Program, University of Hawai’i at Manoa
INSTRUCTOR
Jun 6 to Jul 13, 2011
Green and Global, American Business School, Paris, France
FACULTY AFFILIATE
Apr 2011 to present
Water Resources Research Center (WRRC), University of Hawai’i at Manoa
FACULTY AFFILIATE
Sep 2009 to present
Renewable Energy and Island Sustainability (REIS), University of Hawai’i at Manoa
COLLABORATING PROFESSOR
Jan 2008 to present
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering/Biorenewable Resources Technology, Iowa State University
VISITING PROFESSOR
Dec 2010-Jan 2011
Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, Germany
RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Mar 2004 – Dec 2007
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering; Biorenewable Resources and Technology; Biotechnology; Environmental Science, Iowa State University
BIOENERGY ENGINEER
Oct 2003 to Dec 2007
Lincoln Energy LLC, Nevada, IA; Midwest Grain Processor, Lakota, IA
VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Jul - Aug 2005; May - Sep 2006; Jun-Sep 2007
Environmental Engineering Program, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Mar 2002- Feb 2004
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, and Biorenewables, Iowa State University
RESEARCH/TEACHING ASSISTANT
Feb 1998 – Feb 2002
Department of Civil Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
AWARDS
BOARD OF REGENTS' MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA
The highest research award bestowed by the University of Hawaii System
ELSEVIER'S IMPACTFUL RESEARCH AWARD IN BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Awarded to the impactful research work
CTAHR DEAN’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH, COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA
Awarded to the best researcher from the college annually
EXCELLENT REVIEWER FOR BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY (BITE) (IF: 5.651)
DAAD RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP, GERMANY TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AT STATE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND BIOENERGY, HOHENHEIM UNIVERSITY, STUTTGART, GERMANY
R & D 100 AWARD FOR FUNGAL PROCESS FOR ETHANOL PLANT STILLAGE TREATMENT
With J (Hans) van Leeuwen, Mary Rasmussen and Anthony L. Pometto III
INTERNATIONAL WATER ASSOCIATION (IWA) PROJECT INNOVATION AWARD
With J (Hans) van Leeuwen, Mary Rasmussen and Anthony L. Pometto III
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARD
University Research Grand Prize, Washington, D.C. “Value-Added Products from Dry-Grind Corn Milling Stillage by Fungal Processing.”
(With J (Hans) van Leeuwen, Mary Rasmussen and Anthony L. Pometto III).
HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Dept. of Civil Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong (Mar 2001).
Graduate Student Research Grant, University Grant Commission, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong (May 2000 and Sep 2001).
Excellent Grade Award for M.S. research work, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok (Aug 1997).
Letter of Appreciation for excellent poster presentation of master research work in Research Bazaar, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok (Aug 1997).
Tribhuvan University Teachers Association Award for excellent academic performance, Butwal Multiple Campus, Butwal, Nepal (Jul 1987).