Curriculum vitae
Dr. Surendra K. Pradhan, PhD, MPH
Researcher | Circular Economy & Resource Recovery Specialist | Environmental Scientist | Technology Innovator
University of Eastern Finland
Visiting Researcher, University of Helsinki
surendra.pradhan@uef.fi | surendra.pradhan@helsinki.fi | surendra.pradhan@gmail.com
+358 400973372
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/surendra-pradhan-296ba11b/?skipRedirect=true
Google Scholar: scholar.google.com/citations?user=SRrex5YAAAAJ&hl=en
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Environmental scientist and technology innovator with over 15 years of international experience in environmental research, circular economy, sanitation, nutrient recovery, resource recovery, climate resilience, waste management, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Extensive expertise in multidisciplinary research, technology development, project management, proposal development, stakeholder engagement, and commercialization of environmental innovations.
Demonstrated success in leading international research projects, developing patented nutrient recovery technologies, securing competitive research funding, supervising graduate students, and collaborating with universities, governments, industries, NGOs, and international organizations across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Research focuses on translating scientific discoveries into practical technologies that support sustainable sanitation, nutrient recycling, greenhouse gas mitigation, circular economy, and climate-smart agriculture.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Circular Economy
• Resource Recovery from Waste
• Nutrient Recovery Technologies
• Sustainable Sanitation
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Wastewater Treatment
• Climate Change Mitigation
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Food Security
• Environmental Health
• Business Models for Circular Economy
• Green Innovation
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Research Leadership
• Technology Development
• Project Management
• Grant Writing
• Proposal Development
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Experimental Design
• Process Engineering
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Business Model Development
• Commercialization of Research
• Capacity Building
EDUCATION
PhD in Environmental Science
University of Eastern Finland, Finland
Master of Public Health (MPH)
University of Eastern Finland, Finland
Master of Science (MSc)
Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Tribhuvan University, Nepal
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Researcher & Project Manager
University of Eastern Finland (2019–Present)
University of Helsinki, Project researcher
Major achievements:
• Developed the innovative PNext Process for recovering nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage sludge, septic sludge, digestate, reject water, manure, and human urine.
• Led research on mineral fertilizer production from waste streams.
• Secured competitive national and international research funding.
• Supervised graduate students.
• Collaborated with municipalities, wastewater utilities, industries, and universities.
• Developed commercialization strategies for nutrient recovery technologies.
• Designed greenhouse gas mitigation projects.
• Led nutrient recovery pilot projects in Nepal.
• Collaborated internationally on sanitation and fertilizer recovery initiatives.
Project Manager
AALTO UNIVERSITY, FINLAND (2015–2019)
Major achievements:
• Led the internationally recognized NPHarvest Project.
• Developed technologies for nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from human urine.
• Obtained competitive funding from Finland’s Ministry of the Environment and EU Climate-KIC.
• Conducted environmental assessments, feasibility studies, market analyses, and agronomic trials.
• Coordinated partnerships among universities, wastewater utilities, and private-sector companies.
• Supervised master’s students and taught courses on circular economy and environmental health.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW
International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Ghana (2012–2015)
Major achievements:
• Led international research on fecal sludge management and resource recovery.
• Developed business models for waste recycling.
• Designed fertilizer production technologies.
• Implemented public-private partnership models.
• Conducted large-scale field research involving over 150 recycling initiatives worldwide.
• Worked with municipalities, universities, private companies, and international NGOs.
• Supervised interns and research assistants.
RESEARCH SCIENTIST
University of Eastern Finland (2010–2012)
Research on:
• Biogas production
• Sewage sludge management
• Anaerobic digestion
• Environmental microbiology
DOCTORAL RESEARCHER
University of Eastern Finland (2005–2010)
Conducted multidisciplinary research in Finland and Nepal on:
• Ecological sanitation
• Urine fertilizer
• Food security
• Sustainable agriculture
• Community sanitation
• Rural development
• Technology transfer
UNIVERSITY LECTURER
Tribhuvan University, Nepal (2001–2004)
Teaching undergraduate environmental and biological sciences.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
• Inventor of the PNext Process for nutrient recovery.
• Developed technologies producing mineral fertilizers from waste.
• Advanced nutrient recovery from sewage sludge and human urine.
• Designed greenhouse gas mitigation solutions.
• Developed circular economy business models.
• Conducted field implementation in Finland, Ghana, Uganda, and Nepal.
• Demonstrated practical applications linking sanitation, food security, and climate resilience.
COMPETITIVE RESEARCH FUNDING
Successfully secured research funding from:
• Ministry of the Environment, Finland
• EU Climate-KIC
• IFAD
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Nordic funding programmes
• Various Finnish research foundations
SUPERVISION
• Supervised Master’s students
• Mentored graduate researchers
• Guided interns and field researchers
• Capacity building for researchers and practitioners in Europe, Africa, and Asia
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Research interests include:
• Nutrient recovery
• Circular sanitation
• Wastewater treatment
• Sustainable agriculture
• Environmental management
• Climate resilience
Representative publications include work in:
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Journal of Environmental Management
• Sustainability
• Environment, Development and Sustainability
Research outputs also include books, technical reports, newspaper articles, and patents.
PATENTS
• Production of Mineral Fertilizer from Liquid Waste
• Membrane Reactor, Wastewater Treatment Arrangement and Method
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
• International Biogas Training (Germany)
• Professional Skills Development (Sri Lanka & Ghana)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
• Microsoft Office
• R
• SPSS
• MS Project
• ArcGIS (Basic)
• Statistical Analysis
• Experimental Design
• Project Planning
LANGUAGES
• Nepali (Native)
• English (Professional)
PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATIONS
Collaborated with:
• University of Helsinki
• University of Eastern Finland
• Aalto University
• International Water Management Institute
• Wastewater treatment utilities
• Private sector partners
• Municipal governments
• International NGOs
• Universities in Europe, Africa, and Asia
RESEARCH IMPACT
Dr. Pradhan’s work integrates environmental science, engineering, public health, and circular economy principles to develop practical solutions for recovering nutrients from waste streams. His research has contributed to advancing sustainable sanitation, climate resilience, food security, and fertilizer innovation while fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and public-sector stakeholders.
Publications: (see publication section)