UC Davis professor emeritus George Tchobanoglous has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, which is one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to engineers.

A faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tchoban-oglous was honored for his contributions to engineering education, engineering practice, and public service in the field of environmental engineering.

Membership honors those who have made important contributions to engineering theory and practice, including significant contributions to the literature of engineering theory and practice, and those who have demonstrated accomplishment in the pioneering of new fields of engineering or have implemented innovative approaches to engineering education.

Tchobanoglous has taught courses on water treatment, wastewater treatment and solid waste management at UC Davis since 1970. He continues to write textbooks, consult and lecture internationally.

He is known for advancing the use of new technologies in four key areas: the construction of wetlands for wastewater treatment; the application of alternative filtration technologies; ultraviolet disinfection for wastewater reuse applications; and decentralized wastewater management.

In 2003, Tchobanoglous won the Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize, given annually by the National Water Research Institute to outstanding research scientists who have implemented better water-science research and technology. The prize includes a $50,000 award.

This year the national academy named 76 new members and 11 foreign associates, for a total of 2,174 U.S. members and 172 foreign associates. Six new members are UC faculty. UC Davis now has six active or retired faculty members who are members, as well as two alumni.