Dr Grainne El Mountassir is a Reader in Geotechnical Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. Although soil contains an abundance and diversity of microorganisms, geotechnical engineers have preferred until recently to consider the soil as an inert engineering material. Grainne’s research seeks to transform this perspective by harnessing the potential of microorganisms to improve soil behaviour.
Grainne works at the interface between microbiology, geochemistry and geotechnical engineering. Grainne is currently developing novel nature-based solutions for ground engineering using both bacteria and fungi, with the overarching goals of (1) enhancing climate resilience of slopes and earthworks and (2) extending the lifespan of existing of civil infrastructure.
Grainne El Mountassir
