Pascal Saikaly

Pascal Elias Saikaly is a Lebanese professor of Environmental Science and Engineering. He is best known for the use of omics for applied studies of microbiology in engineered and natural wastewater treatment systems, including bioelectrochemistry, membrane bioreactors, and granular sludge.

Saikaly collaborates with and leads teams of scientist and engineers who have developed novel approach to harvest electrical energy from wastewater while simultaneously producing useful byproducts. In particular, he combines advances from nanotechnology and materials research with advances from microbial ecology to develop devices to create bioelectricity. This work supports the long-term strategic efforts of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to research and commercialize alternative sources of energy. Saikaly's research addresses broader issues of importance in water-limited environments, including the use of seawater for toilet flushing.

Education

Saikaly earned his B.S. and M.S. from the American University of Beirut. In 2005, he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Cincinnati. From 2005 to 2007, he was completed postdoctoral studies at North Carolina State University. From 2008 to 2010, he was an assistant professor at the American University of Beirut. In 2010, he joined the faculty of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, where he is currently a full professor.